Amethyst Crystals
41 item(s)
Sort By: Highest price
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and can range in color from a light violet to a deep purple. Considered a semi-precious gemstone, it's used in decor, settings and jewelry.
Facts About Amethyst
Amethyst is a variety of quartz, silicon dioxide SiO2, and owes its purple color to the presence of iron. It is a very hard mineral with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale. Part of the appeal of amethyst is its transparent to translucent nature. The color of amethyst is heat sensitive. It will turn yellow when exposed to heat. Commercially available citrine is often amethyst that has been heat treated.
Amethyst and History
Amethyst has been known in many cultures throughout history. It is valued both for its beauty and its spiritual properties. Long ago it was grouped with the most precious gemstones: diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald.
Today, not so much. It has lost much of its value due to the discovery of extensive deposits in Brazil. Though Brazil produces most of the world’s amethyst, the crystal from Uruguay has richer color and is sought after by both jewelers and collectors.
The anchient Greeks called amethyst the sobriety stone. They made drinking vessels from it believing it would protect against durnkeness. amethyst is recognized for its general calming affect.
Amethyst Geology
It is found as crystals in igneous rocks. Lava flows have many empty spaces. Under the right conditions amethyst crystals can grow in these pockets.
It is available commercially in many forms. Large geodes called cathedrals are sometimes bigger than a man. Broken pieces of these geodes are called druz. It is sometimes cut into slabs and also sold as single points. Amethyst is used in jewelry and other decorative pieces.
Mineral Properties of Amethyst
Chemical formula: Silicone dioxide SiO 2
Color(s): lilac, purple, mauve
Streak: white
Luster: vitreous, glassy
Transparency: transparent to translucent
Crystal system: triagonal
Specific Gravity: 2.6
Hardness (Mohs): 7
Cleavage: none
Fracture: conchoidal
Uses: jewelry and mineral specimens
Location: North and South America, Europe, Africa
Birthstone: February
Amethyst Healing Properties and Metaphysical Lore
Amethyst is recognized for its general calming affect. It is used for stress releif and pain reduction. It is also helps overcome addictions.Physically amethyst is cleansing of the liver, kidneys, blood, and immune systems.
Metaphysically amethyst is associated with the brow chakra and believed to enhance psychic powers and increase spiritually.
