| Amethyst has long been a favorite gem of Kings and | | | | In fact, it was considered the stone of bishops, and |
| Queens for its royal purple hues. The gem, the most | | | | they still often wear Amethyst rings.The birth stone for |
| precious member of the quartz family, exhibits color | | | | February, Amethyst is an extremely popular gem for |
| ranging from pale liliac to deep purple. Amethysts are | | | | jewelry because of its regal color, variety of sizes and |
| featured in the British Crown Jewels and were worn | | | | shapes, affordability and wide range of hues. It also is |
| by Catherine the Great as well as Egyptian | | | | the recommended gem for couples celebrating their |
| royalty.Through the ages, various special properties | | | | sixth wedding anniversary.The stone is mined in Brazil, |
| have also been prescribed to Amethyst. The Greeks | | | | Uruguay, Bolivia, and Argentina, as well as in Zambia, |
| and Romans considered it a strong antidote against | | | | Namibia, and other African nations. Very dark |
| drunkenness and drank wine from goblets carved out | | | | Amethyst in small sizes also is mined in Australia. But |
| of the gem. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that Amethyst | | | | the ideal fine quality Amethyst was set by a Siberian |
| could dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the | | | | variety, often called Russian or Uralian Amethyst, |
| intelligence. The stone also supposed to bring peace of | | | | which is now considered a defunct source.Generally, |
| mind to the wearer and prevent fatal poisoning.In some | | | | South American Amethyst tends to come in larger |
| legends, the stone also represents piety, celibacy and | | | | sizes than African Amethyst. But the African variety |
| dignity. In Tibet, for instance, Amethyst is considered | | | | has a reputation for having deeper color intensity and |
| sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often made from it. | | | | is therefore considered more valuable. The African |
| In the middle ages the gem was an important | | | | version also is harder to come by than Amethyst |
| ornamentation for Catholic Church and other religions. | | | | mined from South America. |