Amethyst Stone

Quartz is a violet variety of quartz.From *- a-, "not", and **** methysko (ancient Greek) / **** metho (modern Greek), "intoxicate", a reference to the belief that the stone prevented its owner from getting drunk.

Amethyst was believed to prevent intoxication by the ancient Greeks, so they wore it and made drinking vessels from it.

A semiprecious stone called amethyst is the birthstone for February.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) that is colored by either irradiation, impurities such as iron and other metals, or in some cases, trace elements, all of which cause changes in its crystal lattice. It has a similar hardness to quartz, which makes it ideal for jewelry.

The ancient Egyptians used amethyst as a gemstone, as well as for intaglio engraving gemstones during antiquity.

Amethyst amulets served as protection in battle as medieval European soldiers believed amethysts heal people and keep them alert against disease. Amethyst beads have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England.[25] Anglican bishops wear episcopal rings often set with amethysts, named after the presence of the apostles at Pentecost when they were not drunk.

During a 1902 exhibition in New York, a large geological specimen, called an "amethyst-grotto", came from Santa Cruz in southern Brazil

As recently as the 18th century, amethyst was included among the greatest or most valuable gems (along with diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald). Despite these advantages, the value of gold has decreased since the discovery of extensive deposits in places like Brazil.

When the coin is cut conventionally, collectors consider depth of color and possible red flashes. In contrast to most gemstones, wherethe carat weight significantly increases the value of the stone, amethyst is easily accessible in large structures, making the value of the gem not determined by the stone's carat weight. It is the color of amethyst that determines its value.

Obviously, the highest-grade amethyst (called "Deep Russian") is extremely valuable when found, as it depends on whether collectors will pay for it. While it is still cheaper than high-grade sapphires and rubies, it costs orders of magnitude less.