Amethyst As A Jewelry Gemstone

The Amethyst is a form of quartz. This beautiful gemstone comes in several colors with the purple version of this gemstone regarded as the most popular and also the most valuable. The gemstone quality of this mineral is translucent, without foreign inclusions. This stone has been treasured through the ages. Catherine the Great had thousands of unfortunate souls mine this gem in the Ural. Moses considered it a symbol of the spirit of God. This gemstone is relatively less expensive then other competing stones, possibly due to the greater volume of this stone in nature. We should enjoy this peculiar fact as a gift from nature and not let the price lower the beauty and desirability of owning loose stones or jewelry incorporating the same. Other names have been coined over time to describe various colors of this gemstone. Rose de France is a less desirable pale pinkish color. A very valuable form is called Siberian. It has red flashes mired in deep violet.

History

The first known users were the Egyptians who used this mineral for intaglios, which is the raised seal of image making in a malleable surface. Anglo-Saxon graves in England have produced beads which dates this use to the mid fifth century AD through the Norman Conquest of 1066. This mineral is currently found in Vera Cruz Mexico, Guerrero Mexico, Minas Gerais Brazil, Bahaia Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil, Maraba Brazil, Thunder Bay Canada, Uruguay, Amethyst Mountain Texas, Yellowstone National Park, Delaware County Pennsylvania, Haywood County North Carolina, Deer Hill Maine, Stow Maine, and Nova Scotia as well as many lesser sites.

Birthstone Information

The Amethyst is considered the modern birthstone of February. It is said that some early practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine considered this stone to be a birthstone.

New Age Beliefs and Powers Through The Ages

The name of this stone comes from the Greek word amethustos which means not drunk and was thought to protect alcohol drinkers from getting drunk. The Greeks and Romans actually made cups from the mineral to protect imbibers. It was also said that this stone would protect the wearer from seduction. This stone is associated with the astrological sign of Aries, Pisces, Sagittarius and Aquarius. It symbolizes understanding in the spiritual, religious and philosophical planes. Ranking members of the Roman Catholic Church are said to wear large amethyst rings.

This mineral is considered good for dream work and meditation. Some consider it helpful against addictions and is said to bring inner strength, calm, peace and stability. It has been used against various psychic attacks. Many use it to open communication with angels and other psychic works. Some use it to promote happiness in the individual. Some use it to attract money and help in legal issues. Amethysts are used by practitioners of New Age medicine to help overcome fatigue, immune problems, arthritis, headaches and general healing.

Artificial Forms of Enhancement

It has been said that as much as 70% of gemstone amethysts may be synthetic. This is a difficult problem that only a trained gemologist can determine. Scientific testing may ruin the stone and cost more then the value of the stone. Heating this stone may actually turn it yellow and some sell this treated material as citrine, or cairngorm. This stone may also be treated with radium radiation to alter the color. Sharp temperature changes, direct sunlight and black lights may alter the color.

Color

The color comes in a variety of shades.

Some Scientific Information

The chemical name is Silicon Dioxide, SiO2 and it is a form of quartz.
\r The hardness is 7.
\r There is no cleavage.
\r The birefringence is 0.0009
\r The index of refraction is 1.544-1.553
\r The color of this stone is said to come from iron and aluminum impurities.
\r The specific gravity is 2.65 to 2.66
\r The crystalline system is trigonal.
\r The optic sign is positive.

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular\r jewelry site: \r JewelrySalesandService.com. Provides information on jewelry, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces\r and watches.

His website, http://www.JewelrySalesandService.com\r also has information on diamonds, birthstones, gemstones, pearls, gold, sterling

silver,and platinum.

Alexandrite Gemstone Jewelry Properties
Alexandrite the tsarstone is a variety of the mineral, chrysoberyl, an aluminate of beryllium. Although mined in such scatt...

Getting the Best Deals on Gemstone Jewelery is Now So Easy
The advent of Internet shopping has had a huge impact on how people are dressing and wearing fashion accessories now and choi...

Birthstone Jewelry, Its Meaning & Why It Makes A Great Gift Idea
For every calendar month, there is a specific gemstone that serves as a birthstone for individuals born during that month. I...

Tips On Cleaning Your Diamond Jewelry
Cleaning diamond jewelry must be done carefully to prevent damage to the diamond or other gemstone jewelry and in order to pr...

Jewelry
Jewelry is not only an expression medium unique to any particular individual, but jewelry also reflects the grace and the lif...

Moissanite - An Amazing Gift from the Stars!
Moissanite! As sparkling as a diamond but more brilliant and harder than diamond, moissanite is available at a fraction of th...

The Significance Of The Gems That Make Up Birthstones
Do you know what your birthstone is? If you dont thats cool, lots of people dont know or they are misinformed but after this ...

Gold Diamond Engagement Rings
Jewelry is unique; a consumer product one may say but is an engagement ring, or a wedding band, or a vivid color gemstone jew...

Choosing Handmade Artisan Jewelry As A Gift
Jewelry is one of the most personal gifts you can give someone. Handmade jewelry chosen for that special person says you hav...

Gems and Jewelry
The word jewelry is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicized from the Old French "jouel" in around the 13th century....

Birthstones By Month
The use of birthstones is very personal and has been used since the first century to ward off evil and bring good luck on one...

Tips for Smart Jewelry Shopping on the Internet
Over the last few years, the Internet has quickly become one of the most important venues for purchasing all types of jewelry...

Gemstone Quality
A gemstone is a precious stone cut and polished to use in the making of jewelry. If you are in the market for a gemstone, the...

Opal in a Pearl - Two Gems in One
There is always the possibility of combining an opal and another gemstone such as a diamond or ruby. But when this happens i...

5 Things to Know When Shopping for Pearls and Pearl Jewelry
Pearls are unique in the gemstone world because they are the only gemstones that are created by living organisms. Each one o...

Handmade Artisan Jewelry - An Assortment of Beautiful Gems
Handmade artisan jewelry is crafted with the highest quality semi precious gemstones and findings. Many popular gemstones use...

The Allure Of Amber Jewelry
The alluring amber has always attracted jewelry lovers as well as jewelry makers for its potential for creating artistic jewe...

Fall & Winter 2007-2008 Jewelry Color Trends
When the temperatures begin to cool down, the world of jewelry will continue to heat up. We all expect to see warm tones in ...

7 Reasons to Give Her Jewelry
Whether its your girlfriend, wife, daughter, mother or friend, the gift of jewelry is perfect for any occasion. Even when it...

What is the Best Opal in the World?
Potch is what we call worthless opal. It is actually opal but is has dull and lifeless grey black , white or unappealing ran...