By Anna Samsonova, CGA, Ben Bridge Jewelers
Amethyst, ranging from a light to dark purple has been in popular use for centuries. Purple is often associated with royalty; notice how many people of power enjoy that deep, purple tone! Amethyst was Catherine the Great’s favorite stone and can be found among the British Crown Jewels.
Amethyst is the purple variety of the Quartz species. It often has no imperfections, so it is very easy and appealing to make into large statement jewelry.
Amethyst grows in an amazing rock called a geode. Amethyst geodes come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes the geode is so beautiful that you might not want to cut it to make a faceted stone. Some are small and can be used as a paperweight, others are large and can be displayed as a piece of art or decoration. Amethyst geodes can be so big that they are twice as tall as you! Can you imagine how gorgeous that would be in your garden?
The name Amethyst comes from a Greek word that means “not drunken”, which is most likely where it’s healing properties come from. Amethyst is said to be a sobering stone, healing all in the head. Whether you have a headache or are just in search of clarity, this is your stone.
February babies, you might have a shorter month, but you have gorgeous shades of Amethyst to choose as your birthstone. The lighter color also resemble this years Pantone Color of the Year!
