Amethyst

Item Description

This is a classic Brazilian Amethyst with a pleasing medium purple color, eye clean clarity and a lovely "Marquise Brilliant" cut. When it comes to gem grade Amethyst, Brazil has long been one of the main sources in the world. Some of the finest quality and largest Amethyst stones you'll see on the market were mined in Brazil. The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek "a-methystos" meaning "not drunken,". Wine goblets were often carved from it, and the gemstone still symbolizes sobriety to this day. Traditionally, the color purple has been a symbol for royalty and Amethyst was often used for monarchs and leaders throughout history. It was considered to be the stone of bishops, who still often wear amethyst rings. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it. Amethyst would be very expensive, were not for its widespread availability, as it is one of the few purple gems out there. Amethyst is the birthstone for February, so this could make a great gift for anybody with a February birthday.