Amethyst is the official birthstone for February as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Pisces. See the birthstone table for additional references to this stone on alternative birthstone charts. Amethyst is suggested as a gem to give on the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and the most valued member of the quartz family. It must be purple to be amethyst, but it can display a range of shades including deep purple, light lilac, lavender and mauve. Top quality amethyst is a deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes. Its purple color made it a stone of royalty for many thousands of years. See note about incorrectly named "green amethyst". Amethyst can occur as crystals that are six sided on either end. It also forms as drusy which are crystalline crusts covering the host rock. It is found inside geodes and in alluvial deposits all around the world and occurs in both crystalline or massive forms. When manganese is present in clear quartz amethyst is produced, while the amount of iron contained in the specimen accounts for the depth of purple. Mohs scale of hardness is 7. Most amethyst gemstones on the market today are heat-treated to produce a deeper color. Heat treating is permanent and these stones will not fade over time. Unless otherwise stated, assume that any amethyst you purchase today has been heat treated to increase the depth of color. Also, note that most citrine available on the market today is actually heat treated amethyst. Amethyst Folklore, Legend and Healing Properties: Throughout history amethyst has been used to guard against drunkenness and is thought to be helpful in overcoming addiction. It has been used for hearing disorders, insomnia, headaches and other pain. Some sources suggest it is used to stabilize mental disorders. Worn to make the wearer gentle and amiable. Amethyst powers include: dreams, healing, peace, love, spiritual upliftment, courage, psychism, protection against thieves, and happiness.
General Gemstone Details
Quartz is a power stone, and has been called as well as considered world wide as the "Universal Crystal". It is the most recognized type of crystal, and what many people envision when the thought of "crystal" comes to mind. In fact there are many different types of Quartz, in quite a variety of colors.
"Rock Crystal" Encompasses a large family of stones and crystals, all of which are made up primarily of silicon dioxide, one of the most common and most important substances in the world. Crystals of pure Quartz, generally six-sided, can be found in all shades and colors. Quartz crystals grow singularly or in groups and take on different shapes according to the temperature at the time of their formation. Quartz crystals can also contain other minerals "frozen" within, as in Rutilated Quartz. Quartz can be formed of microscopic crystals and take on entirely different appearances and qualities.
Quartz can be a bit of a confusing stone, as it encompasses a great many varieties that often are thought to be gemstones on their own, but are in fact another type of quartz. As well, within the quartz family there are other stones, which have their own little "families" as well. Here is a breakdown of the most common quartz varieties:
Scientific Properties:
Mohs Hardness of 7 with a trigonal crystal structure.
The name "quartz" comes from the Greek derivative krustallos, meaning ice, as it was thought that quartz was actually ice formed by the Gods. Since the Middle Ages, crystal balls made of rock crystal have been used to predict the future.
Mystical Properties:
Visual clarity normally isn't as important to a quartz crystal's energetic quality and ability to amplify subtle energies around it. Quartz enhances energy by absorbing, storing, balancing, amplifying, focusing and transmitting the energy...it channels universal energy as well, and is quite successful for energizing other crystals.
Quartz crystals can raise energy to the highest possible level, it enhances thoughts, as they are a form of energy, and it is extremely beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection and channeling. Containing every possible color, Clear Quartz works on all levels of the being. Storing information like a natural computer, these crystal are like a spiritual library waiting to be accessed. It is also quite beneficial for storing and retrieving information of all types, being that information has it's own energy pattern as well. This makes the quartz invaluable for programming. Paired with it's ability to balance this is an excellent stone for harmonizing and balancing one's immediate environment, and even personal relationships.
Quartz has the ability to dissolve karmic seeds, holding a quartz crystal in your hand, actual doubles your biomagnetic field. It generates electro magnetism and dispels static electricity.
Quartz is commonly used to dispel negativity and clear away negative energy. A stone of
