Amethyst & Diamond Sterling Silver Ring

Birthstone Month:
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February.

History & Lore:
The name Amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethystos which translates as “not drunken”. This word in turn is believed to originate in the Greek legend of Dionysus, the god of wine and mischief, who was angered by an insult from a mere mortal. As a result of this insult, he swore revenge against the next mortal who crossed his path.

The next unfortunate mortal to cross the path of Dionysus was a beautiful young lady named Amethyst who was on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. The goddess Diana saw Amethyst's plight, and seeing she was in danger, Diana transformed Amethyst into a pure, clear crystalline quartz statue to protect her. Upon seeing the beautiful clear quartz statue Dionysus regretted his actions. He wept tears of wine over it in remorse. This wine, in the form of tears from a god, stained the clear quartz purple creating the gemstone we know today as Amethyst.

Through the years it has been thought to protect against intoxication and to help maintain a sober and serious mind. Amethyst has a long association with royalty. It is in fact, featured in jewels worn by Catherine the Great, Egyptian royalty and in the British Crown Jewels.

Amethyst opens and activates the crown chakra, the third eye chakra, and can also open the heart chakra. It can be used to fight a number of disorders including headaches, insomnia, hearing disorders, heart disorders, digestive system disorders, and has even been thought to help stabilize mental disorders. Amethyst also works emotionally and spiritually by providing patience, balance, calmness, and peace.

Major sources of Amethyst are Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia, there are also known deposits in Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, Iran, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United Sates (Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas).

It can be used for all jewelry purposes. Amethyst is found in a variety of hues of purple including deep purple, light lilac, lavender and mauve. The most prized color is a deep, rich, violet body with red rose colored flashes. Amethyst is the most desirable and the most valuable of all of the Quartz family of gemstones.

The number one rule of thumb with Amethyst is to try to keep it clean. Use warm soapy water, and a soft brush to clean. Ultrasonic cleaners are also usually safe. With Amethyst gemstones and jewelry you should avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat as prolonged exposure can cause color change.