Amethysts - Did you know stories about Amethysts and a mystery.
An enormous amethyst geode
Last week, we took a good 2nd look at amethysts in Antique Amethyst Jewelry revisited. This week, we will touch on more information that you don't really need to know, but you might find intriguing on the topic of these wonderful purple gems. Sort of like the 'did you know?' questions to be found in bubble gum papers of long ago.
Let's start at the beginning, a very good place to start.. Long ago, a young lady called Amethyst was on her way to pray to the goddess Diana, when she was spied by the powerful god of wine, Bacchus or Dionysus, as he was known by some people. He was in a foul mood because of something that had nothing to do with the young lady. Some people say that in fact, she rejected his amorous overtures, but we will never know and you decide. Maybe it's acceptable to the gods or to men in general, but Bacchus decided to take his anger out on the first person that he saw. Poor Amethyst! He unleashed a pair of vicious tigers on her. Just as she was about to be destroyed and eaten, the goddess, Diana, who protected innocent young women, intervened and changed her into a clear white stone. At this point, Bacchus was shamed and to make amends, poured his goblet of wine over the clear stone, dying it purple. Hence the amethyst we know.
The above story was supposedly written in the 1500's, so again, you decide whether it is true.
The power of light: Did you know that the color of amethysts can fade? If you leave them in too much sunlight for too long, they will fade. It is said that pale amethysts, left in too much sunlight will become yellow. There is information on the web that above certain temperatures (artificially produced above the earth's surface), amethysts will become citrines. I have never witnessed that, but it's a good idea to take care of your jewelry anyway.
On that subject: to clean your amethyst jewelry: just use warm soapy water. Nothing more. Steal a drop from the kitchen's dish-washing-up liquid, maybe an old toothbrush or soft cloth. Wash and rinse. and the fire and light of your jewelry should return.
Bolivian mines produce gems that are a sort of siamese twin of co-joined amethysts and citrine, called ametrine. Not well known and not highly sought after, possibly because the colors are not very bright.
Since we are chatting colors, we should mention that there is a variety of green amethysts (called prasiolite). It is a pale, washed out color and of very little interest.
Art Nouveau brooch #6511 
Powers and Properties of amethysts: like so many gems, there is a list as long as your arm that is only the beginning of amethyst's healing and protective powers. Almost every system of your body, from your immune-system, to your hormones, for glowing skin, to prevent nightmares and get a great night's sleep, amethysts are your answer. This awesome stone is called a 'natural tranquiliser', relieves stress and strain, enhances your psychic powers and as mentioned - The list goes on. Regarding sleep and chakras, read up about what position to lie in and the correct placement of gems around your head or other parts. To protect your home, what better than a scattering of amethysts? No hearth or fireplace should be without one.
Amethysts can come in pretty big sizes. I remember having a specimen of at least 6 inches in length to start off a stone collection when I was a little girl. I still have that rock displayed in my bathroom 60 years later. Other people have really huge geodes. Most people contain their amethyst possessions to what is found in jewelry.
Where to put my amethysts? Sounds like a silly question, but if you believe that amethysts have all sorts of beneficial powers, then their placement is important. Looking for a good night's sleep? Seems logical to keep them near your pillow. Other places for a serene life are the hearth and fireplace, if you are lucky enough to have one of those. Somewhere on your person if it is jewelry seems a bit obvious, but given the amount and quality of advice on the subject available on the internet, I thought I'd cover the basics.
#6705 Georgian cannetille earrings 
A little mystery: Amethysts are and have been mined all over the world, including in India, where they have pretty much dried up. However, I can't think of a single example of antique Indian jewelry containing amethysts. Am I wrong? If so, please email me. I'd love to see an example of jewelry from India, that often incorporates gems from all over the world, but no amethysts come to mind. I wrack my memory looking for one example of Indian jewelry that contains/contained amethysts - nada. I look through my many books about Indian jewelry with fabulous illustrations and well-detailed indices at the back. Total desert. While many colors have symbolic meaning to Indians, I found no reference to purple or amethysts. Why not? The mystery, to me, remains unsolved.
Did you know that February is the month of amethysts? If you were born in February, this wonderfully versatile gem is your birthstone. We wrote about that in a long-ago, earlier post, but it's worth mentioning in case you forgot.
#6949 Georgian cannetille necklace 
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