Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Amethyst

History

Mined for thousands of years, amethyst was prized by royals for its rich purple hue. Amethyst was thought to have healing and protective properties. Early Greeks associated amethyst and its wine‐purple color to Bacchus, the god of wine, while ancient Romans believed it prevented its wearer from intoxication.

Color

Amethyst ranges in color from green to pale violet to deep reddish‐purple.

Gem Family

Amethyst is a variety of crystalline quartz.

Hardness

Amethyst rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a good choice for everyday wear.

Treatments

Heat treatment is used to create green amethysts. Purple amethyst is not generally treated.

Birthstone

Amethyst is also the traditional birthstone for those born in February.

Care

Store amethyst away from other gemstones to keep them from being scratched. To clean amethyst, rinse it thoroughly under warm running water and dry with a soft lint‐free cloth. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe, while steam cleaners should be avoided.