Amethyst

Take good care…

Amethyst is mineral quartz and is suitable for everyday wear.  You can clean your amethyst stone with a few drops of washing up liquid in water.  Use a toothbrush to gently scrub behind the stone, removing the dust and debris that can build up.

Try to avoid…

Amethysts don’t like high heat so try and avoid exposure to excessive temperatures as it may cause the colour of your stone to fade. Protect your  amethyst jewellery by storing it carefully when it’s not being used, preferably in the original box it came in or in a soft, lint-free pouch – to avoid scratching and rubbing.  Always store your amethyst away from harder gems, such as diamonds, to prevent unnecessary damage.

About your stone…

Amethysts are available in a wide tonal range from pale lavender to deep purple.  They are available in many sizes, indeed the Smithsonian Institute holds one record breaking example weighing in at more than 1,000 carats.  Amethysts are mined mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and African countries such as Namibia and Zambia.

Pearls of wisdom…

The amethyst, traditional birthstone for February, is steeped in ancient Greek legend.  As the story goes, Dionysus – the god of intoxication- was in an angry mood swearing revenge on the next living creature to cross his path.  Along came the unsuspecting and beautiful maiden Amethyst to worship her goddess Diana only to come face to face with the wrath of Dionysus.  She begged to be spared and was turned into a statue of pure crystalline quartz.  Dionysus on seeing this beautiful woman turned into a statue, wept tears of red wine in remorse which stained the quartz purple creating the amethyst colour we associate with our gemstone.  The amethyst is seen as a symbol of piety and celibacy, and is believed to enhance the peace and tranquility of the wearer.