Elegance. Style. Finesse and refinement. Beauty. Glamor. Exquisiteness. And the list could go on. And if you are looking for something to symbolize all these and akin qualities, then you have come to the right place to find out all about it. It is the royal amethyst gemstone. To say more would be just needless and redundant. Because all you have to do is to hold in the palm of your hand this intense-colored crystal and it will be enough to understand everything that is about it.

The gem that is featured and proudly stands among the British Crown Jewels. The gem that Leonardo Da Vinci so much praised for its ability to keep away negative and evil thoughts and, instead, fill the heart with kindness and love, quicken the mind and promote a creative and imaginative spirit. The gem that bears its name from mythological times, borrowing it from the charming young girl whom Diana, the Goddess of hunt, chastity and the moon turned into a statue of the purest crystal ever in order to protect her from being tainted by the Dionysus God. The gem that symbolizes beauty, chastity, purity and distinction. Introducing and reverencing to the amethyst.

It is also highly treasured by the zodiac, as along with the sapphire this particular vividly violet-shaded gem is representative for the free and innovative spirit of all those born under the sign of the Sagittarius in the European astrology. Furthermore, it is also attributed by some experts to the Aquarius sign, under which intelligent, keen-minded, spontaneous and open-minded individuals are born. Amethyst should also be worn as lucky charm by all those under the sign of the Pisces.

But wait, because there is even more to it. Even though only a few of us are aware of this, the amethyst is correlated with a certain day of the week and with a certain hour of the day. More precisely, it represents Wednesday and the 8.00 a.m. hour. And as seen from above, being the birthstone for those born in February, the purple crystal can also be said to represent this last month of winter.

History. Amethyst is considered one of the most beautiful and refined gemstones that ever existed. Due to the fact that it stands for purity and, at the same time, with its strong and deep shades of violet, for seriousness, scrupulousness and refinement, it has been very famous and sought after throughout the centuries. It was used and acclaimed by Persian magi and many Anglo-Saxon graves in England still wear it on their funeral stones to represent the dignity and grandeur of the person who has been buried inside.

Sending us cold glimpses and sparkles that oblige to respect from the Victorian crown, it is also present in mythology as we have seen it above and in each and every place and time from which sin and immorality have been banished.

Coming from the Greek word amethystos, the name of the gem could be translated as 'not drunk'. Therefore, its purity and nobility have been recognized from the very start. For this reason, gods and our ancestors were known to wear amethyst as an amulet or make drinking vessels out of it, in order to protect them from intoxication. Extensively used for the healing of the mind and the soul in various types of complementary therapy, one could not but bow in front of it. Or wear it to confer to himself a sign of elegance and distinction.

Variety. A variety of quartz, amethyst is one of the most praised of all the gems pertaining to this mineral family. It comes in almost all hues, tones and tints of violet, ranging from a bright pinkish shade to a deep grape purple. However, most of these types of the crystal display two secondary tones - red and blue. The darker and more intense the shade of an amethyst is, the more priceless it becomes. It is found and mined in South Africa, Brazil, Canada, USA, Mexico, Italy, Germany etc.

Uses. Given the charming and utterly seductive appearance this gem has, anyone who thinks of using it for other purposes than the ornamental one would literally be a fool. It is extensively used for elegant and stylish pieces of jewelry, as when worn by one it has the capacity of surrounding him or her with a cloak of mystery and at the same time conferring him or her a nobility air.

Lore and therapy. As mentioned before, amethyst is one of the most used gems in alternative therapy for the various potencies it has when it comes to chasing away negativity, strengthening and quickening the spirit, easing the soul and opening one's heart, protecting someone from emotional, mental and physical disorders and so on and so forth. The gem beautifully colored in diverse shades of purple can also promote purity, steadiness, tenacity, tolerance, patience and wiseness in one, keeping him at the same time from doing impulsive deeds or taking such decisions.

Amethyst is also the lucky gemstone for the following signs: Aquarius (in the European horoscope) and Dragon (in the Chinese horoscope).