It is the birthstone for the month of February, and a gemstone significant for the 6 th and 17 th marriage anniversary ( 6).Īmethyst is found in different types of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. The purplish hue of the gem also generally varies from a light lilac to a deep royal purple ( 4).Īmethyst ranks at 7 on the MOHS hardness scale, and it has a specific gravity of 2.66 ( 5). So the gem consists of gradual color variation from light to dark, as it goes toward the edges of the polished stone. The gem is either faceted into fine stones to be incorporated into jewelry, or it is polished and left in its natural form.Īmethyst displays color zoning, which means that the angular sides of the stone are darker than the flatter sides of the stone ( 3). The purple hue is also created by exposure to natural radiation, but prolonged exposure can cause the color to fade as well ( 2).Īmethyst has been widely used since ancient times for a variety of purposes. It is composed of silicon dioxide, and its purple color is produced by the impurities of iron and manganese compounds present in the gem. The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethystos which means ‘not drunken,’ which is why in ancient times, the gem was used to ward off intoxication ( 1). When you think of amethyst, you think of a gorgeous, brilliant, purple stone even though gems such as sapphire may have a purplish hue, amethyst is the epitome of a semi-precious purple gemstone of the mineral quartz.

Healing powers of amethyst crystals