Amethyst is a beautiful purple stone found everywhere, however the biggest deposits of these beautiful crystals can be found in Brazil and Uruguay.
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The name amethyst comes from the Greek word 'Amethystos' which in Latin means 'not drunk.' They named it this due to the fact that they thought this stone could ward off drunkenness. Amethysts are semiprecious stone from the quartz family and can be found in a variety of ways which all have an impact on what they will look like. They can be found in geodes, igneous rock, volcanic rock areas, metamorphic rock, and near other quartz rocks. This stone has a Mohs hardness of 7, and best way to describe how hard that is for those who don't know about Mohs harness scale or what that means, it means that amethysts, and most quartz stones, are roughly as hard as a steel nail.
This beautiful stone is made out of silicone dioxide, the beautiful purple color that we know this stone for is from impurities such as either iron or magnesium. To get a deeper purple color sometimes the stones are heat treated. This method is also used to get an amethyst to appear like citrine. However, sometimes this heat treat can cause the coloring to go a sort of green color which is where we get green amethyst, also known as 'Prasiolite'. Amethyst comes in a wide variety of manmade shapes such as spheres, tumbled, towers, and pyramids. Although this stone also naturally cane form towers it is most often found in gathered clusters and geodes.
The biggest amethysts geode known to man at this point in time is a massive 20,000 kg (44,092.5 lbs.) and is called 'The Enchanted Cave'. To give you a rough estimate of how much that is, it weights about as much as 5 elephants all stacked together in one stone. It is housed at a rock garden museum called the Crystal Castle located in Mullumbimby, Australia. This place also just recently gained two massive guardian amethyst geodes.
While naturopathic doctors and Ayurvedic practitioners have recommended the use of amethyst in healing practices there is not much in the way of science to back their findings. Many use amethyst to enhance the immune system, improvement of the endocrine function as well as aiding in the improvement of skin appearance. It is also said to assist in the promotion of a healthier digestion track, reducing headaches, and helping one to regulate hormones. However, like previously stated these are all unsupported by science so take the words with a grain of salt.
As for the metaphysical properties of amethyst; it is said to help in opening one's third eye. Others say it supports in sharpening a persons visions or aid in gaining enlightenment. Some metaphysical practitioners also believe that to have a geode or chunk of amethyst in the home aids in absorbing negative energies which leads to having a rather peaceful home. Best way to have this energy with you is to have a small stone that you carry in your pocket, purse, or medicine bag. There is also the option of having jewelry with this semiprecious stone in it such as a necklace or bracelet.
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