Amethyst

Description

Humans have been mystified by amethyst since its discovery in ancient times. The Egyptians used this stone in artwork, while the Greeks believed that it protected against drunkenness. In fact, the word amethyst comes from the Greek amethustos, which translates as “not intoxicated”. As late as the Middle-Ages, Europeans widely believed that this stone possessed mystical powers. Before the discovery of large deposits in Brazil, this stone was so prized that it was valued on par with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires as one of the five cardinal gemstones. Today, amethyst is prized mainly for its aesthetic properties, although it is still used by some practitioners of metaphysical rituals. Amethyst is a variety of quartz. Its purple color comes from trace materials in the stone. It is the birthstone of February and is associated with the (7th) crown chakra.