| Green amethyst jewelry, whether in the form of | | | | also boasts very dark amethysts that tend to be |
| necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets or rings has | | | | much smaller in size, but this is not always the case. |
| been a favourite of women for centuries. Amethysts | | | | Amethysts will sometimes have some kind of heat |
| are one of the most fascinating gemstones. The word | | | | treatment to enhance their colour. However, extreme |
| amethyst actually comes from the Greek word for | | | | heat or light can turn amethyst stones into yellow so it |
| "not drunk" as it was believed that the stone could | | | | is important to store them away from any strong heat |
| protect its holder from drunkenness as well as other | | | | or light sources. |
| ailments brought about by intoxication. Leonardo Da | | | | Amethyst is classified as quartz and is the most highly |
| Vinci once wrote that the purple gemstone was able | | | | valued variety of quartz available. It has always been |
| to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence. | | | | a highly prized gemstone and figured prominently in the |
| Amethyst is associated with the month of February | | | | crowns, sceptres and various artefacts of royalty |
| and is also the birthstone for the zodiac sign of | | | | throughout history. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks |
| Aquarius. This makes amethyst earrings, necklaces, | | | | thought it possessed everlasting properties and could |
| pendants or rings the perfect gift for anybody born in | | | | even extend the reign of a ruler. It was also a |
| this month and under this sign. Amethyst jewellery is | | | | favourite of the legendary Russian Empress Catherine |
| also the appropriate for fourth and sixth year | | | | the Great and figures as a centrepiece of the British |
| anniversary gifts. Given its mesmerizing purple hue, | | | | Crown Jewels. Therefore, because purple is the colour |
| amethyst earrings and necklaces are perfect for | | | | of royalty, wearing an amethyst ring or broche shows |
| dark-coloured hair. Any type of amethyst jewellery | | | | that you are special. |
| would also match perfectly with a purple dress or | | | | Today, because of its plentiful supply, amethysts have |
| gown. | | | | become an affordable gemstone that is available in a |
| Part of the appeal of the purple stone is because of | | | | wide variety of colours and sizes as rings, necklaces, |
| the wide variety of amethyst. In fact, amethyst is not | | | | pendants, earrings, brooches and other accessories. |
| only found in Brazil but also found in Argentina, Bolivia, | | | | The relative abundance of the stone however hasn't |
| Uruguay and across South America, as well as in | | | | made it any less attractive to gift shoppers as |
| Zambia, Namibia and other African countries. South | | | | amethyst remains one of the most popular gemstones |
| American amethyst tends to be larger in size and | | | | today with an ever increasing demand for all types of |
| lighter in colour than African amethyst stones. Australia | | | | amethyst jewellery. |