all about amethyst

• Third eye & crown chakras 
• 7 hardness level
• Eases anxiety & calms the mind
• Spiritual growth & psychic protection

Geology

Amethyst is a variety of quartz with the chemical formula of SiO2, same as other quartzes. It is purple due to trace amounts of iron in the crystal structure. 

It has a glassy luster and a hardness of 7 out of 10 on the Moh’s hardness scale. Amethyst has a conchoidal fracture, which means it does not follow any natural planes of separation. If you drop and break your amethyst, you can expect it to break in irregular pieces. Amethyst is extremely common and found all across the world. It is usually found in volcanic rocks; the crystals form in gas cavities or hydrothermal veins. It can also be found in cavities of sedimentary rock.

Amethyst has a wide range of color variation from very pale to vibrant purple to even pink and black. It is very commonly found alongside other minerals such as calcite, citrine, agate, cacoxenite, goethite and more. 

Localities

Amethyst can be found all over the world, with each locality having distinctly different looking pieces. The largest quantities of amethyst on the market come from South America, specifically Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. It can also be found in India, Russia, Namibia, Canada, and small amounts in the United States.

Safety & care 

When is comes to safety and taking care of your crystals, amethyst is pretty safe. It is safe to put in water, however I NEVER recommend using crystals in water mixtures that will be consumed. Amethyst is safe in salt water for short periods of time, but can corrode or crack if left for a long time. Amethyst can fade in intense heat or prolonged exposure to sunlight, but leaving your crystal outside for a short period of time won’t hurt. If you want to rinse your crystal to cleanse and clean it, that’s perfectly fine. It’s also fine to leave it outside in the sun or rain to cleanse and charge its energy if you desire. 

History

Many ancient cultures are known to have appreciated amethyst such as ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. The word amethyst comes from the Greek word ametusthos, which means "not intoxicated" because of the sobering effect this stone can have. It is a great crystal for someone who is working on sobriety, or wants to lessen the feeling of intoxication.  

Amethyst jewelry has been found and dated as early as 2000 BC. An amethyst bracelet was found in a chest belonging to King Tutankhamun’s along with other jewelry. The color purple has long represented royalty. There are many other ancient Egyptian jewelry pieces containing amethyst and other gems. Amethysts have been used to create protection amulets throughout history. While it is very common today, in the past it was as valuable as diamonds. 

Metaphysical Properties 

Amethyst is associated with both the third eye & crown chakras. Amethyst has a soothing energy that is great for calming the mind and releasing anxiety. It is great for clearing the mind and removing negativity, and offers psychic protection. Amethyst helps you to connect with your intuition and allows for spiritual growth. It promotes transformation and allows us to align with our highest path. Amethyst is great to keep with you if you find yourself in a negative external environment, as it protects against psychic attack, manipulation, and encourages you to keep your cool even in difficult situations. It helps you to get through difficult times with clarity and composure.

Because of the origin of the word amethyst and the ancient Greek beliefs, amethyst is still believed to this day to help avoid intoxication while drinking. Amethyst is believed to aid with headaches & migraines, allow for deeper sleep, and boost the immune system to avoid illnesses.

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