Born in February, amethyst is your birthstone! A purple stone whose symbolism is closely linked to that of its colour, and also to that of the eponymous flowers - do you follow? We'll give you an example: in Indian culture, purple represents the forehead chakra. It is also said that in ancient times people wore purple crowns as a remedy against the effects of alcohol and to avoid headaches (a mild euphemism for hangovers). The amethyst is said to have the same properties as the flower crown, both symbolising measure.
Carved amethyst and gold fruit pendant
Thus, it is said that the ancient gratin drank from glasses cut from amethyst which were supposed to preserve them from drunkenness, and which also made it possible to hide the nature of the beverage for anyone who wanted to drink water instead of wine. This lends credence to the thesis that this not-so-scientific belief, derived from etymology (the name of the stone comes from the ancient Greek "amethustos", composed of the verb "methuein" meaning "to get drunk" and the privative prefix "a"), must not have been very effective. Besides, we don't really see the point of opaque glass - except for pregnant women who don't want to get burnt.
Three stones in one
But let's get back to our amethysts, which range in colour from deep violet to lilac. It is a variety of quartz containing iron. Amethyst crystals are formed either by deposition due to the circulation of water, or they line, for example, old gas bubbles frozen in lava. Initially all amethysts are yellow and are therefore another well-known gemstone called citrine! The colour of the stone will change according to the stage of oxidation of the iron in it. Citrine can also be obtained by heating an amethyst, and if the heating continues the stone will become green, turning into prasiolite. Magic!
Vintage amethyst cocktail ring
Finally, there are hybrid gems called " ametrines ", a contraction of amethyst and citrine, like the example above. For more information, please visit our article about citrine.
Amethyst is relatively common around the world. The most important deposits are in Latin America (Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia), but it is also found in Mexico, India, Sri Lanka and Russia. Finally in Europe, where deposits have been discovered in Belgium and France (Auvergne represent.)
Now that you know more, we can't resist telling you the urban legend surrounding the stone. Dionysus, God of wine and vines - you probably know him because he spent some time in Zeus' lap (another dark story), pursues the beautiful Amethyst - if it's like almost all the Gods of Greek mythology, we know they're not the courtly love type. The latter implores the help ofArtemisDionysus, an ancient figure of girl power, who turns her into rock crystal. Dionysus, mad with rage - our God was the angry type - pours wine on the crystal, which then turns purple.
Amethyst and pearl ring on gold
At the frontiers of reality
We saw in the article on purple why this colour was reserved for the ancient jet set. Because of its symbolism of power, and also its supposed virtues of temperance and wisdom, amethyst also has a long history with the Christian religion.
Georgia O'Keeffe, Black and purple petunias1925, Private collection.
First of all by its colour: In the Middle Ages it was thought that dark purple amethyst favoured celibacy, and in fact it was highly prized by religious communities. The Catholic Church is the only institution to dress its servants, the bishops, in purple. This choice is linked in part to the power symbolism of the colour, but also because it evokes eternity: purple is the last colour of the spectrum, on the border between the visible and the invisible. Moreover, the colour is also linked to extreme unction and mourning.
The amethyst is also the stone of the cardinals and that of the bishops' ring offered by the Pope and kissed by the faithful (Covid friendly). The gem was used for purification rituals and exorcisms, it would also favour prophetic dreams - if you ever want to launch your clairvoyance business - , would annihilate the bewitchments of a jealous lover and would keep away slanderous women and vipers.
Victorian ring with amethyst and diamonds on gold
Finally, the colour of penitence - the priest wears a purple stole during confession - purple is also the colour of Lent for Christians. Indeed, the clergy wears purple during services during this period. Going further: Lent is a period of fasting and abstinence - between Candlemas and Easter. Doesn't the amethyst, symbol of moderation, make sense as a birthstone?
We also had the story of Ganymede, constellation of Aquarius and cupbearer of the Gods, under our belts. The cupbearer was an officer in charge of serving drinks to the stars of the past. Wine, for example? The story has come full circle.
The pansexuality of Zeus is not very Catholic, so we leave it to the more curious among you to discover this myth for themselves.
Don't be jealous if you are not born in February, find out here your birthstone.
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