Stone-Gems Therapy

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Suggestions for Cleaning the Frequent Gem Varieties   How To Care Your Jewelry   How To Take care of Pearl

Agate    Amazonite   Amber   Ruby Zoisite   Apatite   Aquamarine   Aventurine   Obsidian   Onyx   Opal   Jasper   Tiger Eye   Topaz   Snowflake Obsidian   Cactus Quartz   Cape Amethyst   Carnelian   Charoite   Chryosprase   Chrysocolla   Citrine   Quartz   Coral   Diamond   Diopside   Dumortierite   Tourmaline   Emerald   Fluorite   Garnet   Hessonite   herapeutic Quartz   Howlite   Rhodocrosite   Iolite   Zircon   Jade   Jet  Kunzite   Kyanite  Labradorite   Sugilite   Sunstone   Tanzanite   Tree Agate   Turquoise   Unikite   Zebra Jasper   Zoisite   Healing Smoky Quartz   Lapis Lazuli   Lepidolite   Sillimanite   Sodalite   Lodestone   Malachite   Snow Quartz   Moonstone   Serpentine   Pearl   Pearl   Rose Quartz    Ruby   Rutile Quartz   Sapphire   Sardonyx

Amethyst

A transparent, coarse-grained variety of the silica mineral quartz (q.v.) that's valued as a semiprecious gem for its violet colour. It comprises extra iron oxide (Fe2O3) than every other variety of quartz, and consultants consider that its colour arises from its iron content. Different theories attribute the colour to contained manganese or hydrocarbons. Heating removes the color from amethyst or adjustments it to the yellow of citrine; most business citrine is made on this manner. Notable occurrences include Brazil, Uruguay, Ontario, and North Carolina.

The name, derived from the Greek amethystos, “not intoxicated,” expresses the ancient folk perception that the stone protects its proprietor in opposition to drunkenness. In historic writings the Latin name amethystus was used for amethyst, purple corundum, and purple garnet. Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is usually facetted with step cuts or emerald cuts, however has been used for carved intaglios since historical times.