Amethyst

Amethyst is... the world's most popular purple gem; the modern birthstone of February; the purple color variety of quartz; a gem used for over 2000 years While the word "amethyst" makes most people think of a dark purple gem, amethyst actually occurs in many purple colors. The purple color can be so light that it is barely perceptible or so dark that it is nearly opaque. It can be reddish purple, purple, or violetish purple. Amethyst exists in this wide range of colors.

The first step in amethyst receiving its purple color begins during crystal growth. That is when trace amounts of iron are incorporated into a growing quartz crystal. After crystallization, gamma rays, emitted by radioactive materials within the host rock, irradiate the iron to produce the purple color. The intensity of amethyst's purple color can vary from one part of the crystal to another. These color variations, known as "color zoning," are caused by varying amounts of iron being incorporated into the crystal during different stages of crystal growth.

Amethyst crystals grow slowly and the composition of the fluids delivering the iron and the silica needed for crystal growth can vary. The darkest color of amethyst forms when the largest amount of iron is incorporated into the growing crystal. That is what causes color zoning. The world’s most important amethyst deposits are usually found in the fractures and cavities of igneous rocks. In Brazil and Uruguay large amounts of amethyst are found in the cavities of basalt flows.

Large cavities can contain hundreds of pounds to several tons of amethyst crystals. Other productive amethyst deposits are located in Canada, France, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States. In 2016, mineral dealers began selling specimens of "grape agate". The specimens were composed of tiny purple spheres that ranged in size between about 2 and 8 millimeters across (see accompanying photo). The specimens were called "grape agate" because of their purple color, their botryoidal habit (from the Greek botrys, meaning a "bunch of grapes"), and because of their translucent appearance.

"Grape agate" quickly became a popular new mineral specimen because of its wonderful color, fun name, and interesting appearance. However, a few people questioned the identity of the material, doubting that agate was the proper name. When it was noticed that the grapes had a drusy surface (drusy means "covered with crystals"), the identity of "agate" was realized to be incorrect. Why? Because agate, as a variety of chalcedony, has a microcrystalline texture, while common quartz has a crystal size that can be recognized with the unaided eye or with only a low level of magnification.

Although specimens of this material are still called "grape agate", a more appropriate name is "botryoidal amethyst". In the gem and mineral trade, incorrect names such as "grape agate" are called "misnomers". The name Amethyst is derived from the Greek word améthystos (αμέθυστος), meaning "not intoxicated", and comes from an ancient legend. The wine god Bacchus, angry over an insult and determined to avenge himself, decreed the first person he should meet would be devoured by his tigers. The unfortunate mortal happened to be a beautiful maiden named Amethyst on her way to worship at the shrine of Diana.

As the ferocious beasts sprang, she sought the protection of the goddess and was saved by being turned into a clear, white crystal. Bacchus, regretting his cruelty, poured the juice of his grapes over the stone as an offering; giving the gem its lovely purple hue. rwanda amethyst healing Throughout history, the special virtue of Amethyst has been that of preventing drunkenness and overindulgence. Ancient Greeks and Romans routinely studded their goblets with Amethyst believing that wine drunk from an Amethyst cup would not lead to intoxication. They also believed that an Amethyst worn on the body, especially at the navel, had a sobering effect not only for inebriation but for over-zealousness in passion as well.

Catholic bishops also wore Amethyst in a ring to protect them from mystical intoxication. Kissing the ring kept others from similar mystical intoxication and kept them grounded in spiritual thought.