The Color Purple - Amethyst Gemstone Jewelry

At SilverAndGold.com, we love to shed a little light on the history and lore behind our gemstones. Amethyst is always a fan favorite in jewelry – the purple color is absolutely royal and well loved by everyone in the jewelry community. Join me for a quick look into the popular gemstone, amethyst.

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, which is the second most abundant mineral on earth, just behind the feldspars. It has a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale which means it is sturdy enough for daily wear and to pass through the generations, making it a great gemstone to invest in for the future.

Amethyst can form in stunning shades of purple, ranging from a reddish tone to a light lavender shade to a deep violet color. Amethyst is found in geodes – which require a hollow space to allow a crystal cavity to form. These cavities are formed inside basalts, which are igneous volcanic rocks created by volcanic lava. These rocks act as vessels to contain minerals and water, over time creating the well-known white-purple crystal formation that dreams of one day being your favorite piece of jewelry.

The name “amethyst” comes from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “not drunk”. In ancient times, it was believed if you placed amethyst in a goblet, the amethyst would prevent you from acting foolishly while imbibing and even have a sobering affect. Later, this view morphed into the belief that wearing amethyst helped a person think on their feet and keep a level head. In fact, Leonardo Da Vinci claimed amethyst helped a person react wisely in any situation!

Whether you’re talking about faceted amethyst, crystal specimens, or amethyst geodes, amethyst has been a popular gemstone in almost every culture throughout history. In fact, it’s the most popular gemstone of the quartz family and a great addition to your jewelry collection.