Working with fine stones and making artisanal creations is for me one of the great pleasures of life. It's a passion that immerses me in my own little world. So it’s my pleasure to share some of that with you. To achieve this, I regularly publish articles on my blog to let you know more about this activity which brings me happiness! So I continue with the discovery of birthstones!
Amethyst: origin and history
With a deep and intense color, and with its crystalline shape resulting from its belonging to the quartz family, amethyst has everything to please you if you like the color purple! This very beautiful stone is associated with the month of February and has a most interesting history.
As I mentioned, amethyst is part of the large quartz family, and is undoubtedly one of the most popular stones for several centuries now! Even the greatest pharaohs wore amethyst pendants. The name given to it in ancient Greek (amethustos) means “without intoxication”. This has led to it being sculpted on numerous occasions into the shape of a drinking glass. These glasses were used with the aim that alcohol could be consumed without creating intoxication, sometimes causing unpleasant illnesses! This belief was also well anchored among the Romans, but was denied, at least in an attempt to be so, by Pliny the Elder. Interesting belief, isn't it?
It also seems that amethyst has been a stone of first choice, throughout the ages, among certain religious figures. The bishops, wearing their ring adorned with amethyst which is the same color as their outfit, appreciated this stone for its protective virtues keeping misfortune away, and therefore proclaimed it as a “traditional” stone. Amethyst therefore also has an emblematic side, and has earned the nickname “bishops’ stone”
The virtues of amethyst
It is also recognized by lithotherapists to soothe stress, anxiety and tension, and therefore bring calm to tortured minds. It is therefore also often used with the objective of purifying places with a strong emotional imprint, in order to lighten the atmosphere. Having a more serene mind, individuals with an amethyst would also be more inclined to let their creativity express itself. If you are lacking inspiration, this gem is a precious ally!
Amethyst deposits around the world
Although this semi-precious stone has been known for ages, its main “production” deposits were discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century. At the start of extraction for marketing purposes, the main extractions were in Brazil and Uruguay. Everything has expanded and different deposits are now found on the African, South American and European continent.
The intensity of its color catches the eye every time. We can still find amethyst in a varied palette of purplish hues. So there is something for everyone! Does this article make you curious to discover the multiple arrangements that can be made with amethyst? If so, I invite you to stop by my shop!