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Birthstone of February, Amethyst has many popular associations including serenity and royalty. Traditionally, it’s believed to provide courage and strengthen relationships.
Amethyst's name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos' meaning not intoxicating as in ancient times it was thought that the crystal would prevent you from getting drunk!
In the crystal kingdom, Amethyst is the eye-catching purple or violet regent which is by far the most popular and valuable form of quartz in the world today. Not long ago, amethyst were part of the five cardinal gems considered the most valuable, diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire being the other four.
Amethyst is a semi precious gemstone which is hard enough to be used in a variety of jewelry pieces and its availability in large sizes means it can be used for some stunning ornate carvings. It owes its vibrant color to the presence of iron or manganese (sometimes both) when forming in fissures within igneous rocks from nearly all parts of the globe.
The color purple is associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, ambition, think of those kings and nobles wrapped in long purple robes and the religious leaders and buildings draped in purple decorations on their most holy occasions.
Perhaps this association with calming physical passions led some early Christians to associate the amethyst with Christ. The gem’s purple colors represented purity of spirit. Its purplish and reddish hues represented the chastening and purifying effects of suffering. Some believed the colors alluded to the wounds and suffering of Christ. Thus, amethysts were used to aid the healing of wounds.
Many cultures find spiritual overtones in amethysts. Often viewed as a stone of peace, some believe amethyst’s calming presence produces soothing dreams by bringing the dreamer more in tune with the Divine. This clarity and peacefulness also extends to the waking mind. Amethysts are said to help the mind flow freely in both mental and metaphysical dimensions. Many psychics keep this gem with their tarot cards or other oracular instruments.
You can find amethysts in a wide range of violet colors, from pale lavender to deep, rich purple. While deeper hues typically draw higher values, your choice should ultimately depend on your color preference. Amethyst has good hardness as well as no cleavage. This makes it ideal for everyday wear.
Amethyst is a wonderful talisman for use in the creative arts, especially in darker shades. It assists endeavors where new, original results need to be created using tools and methods of the past. It is often used as the Artist’s Stone, the Composer’s Stone, the Inventor’s, Poet’s, and Painter’s Stones. Keep an Amethyst crystal or cluster in the area to focus and amplify the creative elements of the Universal Life Force.
Called the "all-healer", Amethyst is one of the most effective crystals for healing people, plants, and animals. Referred to as "nature’s tranquilizer", Amethyst is said to calm and soothe, assisting the transmission of neural signals through the brain. It relieves obsessive-compulsive disorder and hyperactivity in children and animals.
Amethyst is alleged to be an excellent stone for diplomats, negotiators, and business people. It calms angry temperaments and gives a distinct advantage in situations where debating is required.
It is also believed to be a stone which helps to curb overindulgence and bad habits and is an excellent aid to quitting smoking, drinking, and drug use, as well as unhealthy physical passion. It also provides the strength needed to obtain freedom from addictive personalities, one’s own or another’s.
One of Amethyst's meanings is as the stone of St. Valentine and of faithful lovers. St. Valentine was thought to have worn an Amethyst ring engraved with the image of Cupid. It is also referred to as the “couple’s stone” and gives meaning to relationships that over time, transcends the carnal union and gives way to deeper connection and more soulful communion. Wear as an engagement or eternity ring for fidelity, or as a locket to call back lost love.
Amethyst can be safely, simply, and effectively cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush, such as a toothbrush. Ultrasonic cleaners may be used to clean amethyst but be wary in the very rare case that it has been dyed or fracture-filled.
Careful: ultrasonic cleaners can not only cause and exacerbate fractures in gemstones, they can loosen jewelry and cause gems to fall out of their settings. Steam cleaners should not be used to clean amethyst because it should not be subjected to high temperatures.
Amethyst is durable enough to survive the odd bump or knock on a hard surface; however, you should always take care to avoid such abuse. That is why it is always recommended to remove jewelry before physical activities, especially household cleaning or gardening.
Due to amethyst's hardness, it is important to protect softer stones from being scratched. Similarly, you will want to prevent scratches to your amethyst from harder gems (sapphire, diamonds, etc.). Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your amethyst separate from all other gems of different hardness in a fabric-lined compartment of a jewelry box. Individual cloth jewelry bags are also suitable if you have limited space in your box.
Sources
www.meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com
