This rich purple gemstone has been revered for centuries. it is considered the color of royalty. However, there are fascinating facts about this gem that you might not know!

How did amethyst get it’s name and where DOES the purple color come from?

It’s name comes from the Greek amethustos meaning ‘not drunk’. it was believed that if you drink from

a vessel made from amethyst or wore amethyst you were immune to drunkeness.

This quartz gem gets it’s color from iron. The more iron.. the darker the color.

Does it like the sun?

Amethyst does NOT like intense sunlight for long periods of time. For instance, If you plan to swim or get a suntan, leave the amethyst at home. This gem fades and turns yellowish in prolonged sunlight. Disreputable sellers will heat irradiate amethyst and sell it as citrine.

How large are amethyst geodes

A geode is as small as shown in the ring image above. BUT it also can be VERY VERY large. the largest amethyst geode found weighs 28,660 pounds. It is 9 ft 10″ long, 5 ft 10″ wide and 7 ft 2″ high. Currently is on display in the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Natural History in Shandong, China.

Is amethyst a durable gem?

Yes, amethyst is 7.5 hardness on the Mohs scale. As a result amethyst is one of the harder gems and quite durable. It can be worn in rings as well as cuffs, earrings or pendants. Keep in mind though that the amethyst geode consists of tiny crystals that break off easily. Moreover the geode, if worn in a ring or cuff, must be well protected with a bezel surrounding it.

“Amethyst dissipates evil thoughts and quickens the intelligence” Leonardo Da Vinci

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