Amethyst: deposits, types and properties

If we talk about precious, semi-precious stones, it is simply impossible not to touch one of the most famous. Amethyst is a stone, naturally, very beautiful, but it is known not only for its external data. A curious history and one of the most powerful magical qualities in the environment of minerals made purple quartz truly unique.

From our publication you will find out what chemists, geologists and esotericists have to say about the stone. We will tell you who is suitable for amethyst, and how to use it for good.

Amethyst is a type of quartz and belongs to silicas. Its structure contains impurities of such components as cobalt, manganese, iron.

As a rule, the mineral grows in rocks on an opaque grayish substrate. Under natural conditions, the stone is found in the form of separate crystalline translucent or transparent formations with an elongated diamond shape.

The main attraction of the stone is its spectacular purple color. In terms of color intensity, the mineral can be from absolutely faded to dark, almost black color. The color opens up especially beautifully in natural light, which brings out both depth of color and radiance.

Mineralogists interpret the origin of the original purple color of amethyst in different ways. It is believed that the manganese and cobalt contained in the stone give the violet. Some see it as organic tint pigments.Others are inclined that the source of the color is hidden in the violations of the crystal base of the stone and in the presence of iron particles.

Translated from the ancient Greek language, the word "amethyst" (amethystos) means "not drunk" or "not drunk." There are several explanations for this name. The most luxurious of them is mythological. An ancient legend tells how Dionysus (Bacchus, Bacchus), the god of winemaking, fell in love with the beautiful nymph Ametis, who, in turn, did not respond to his feelings.

Tired of the amorous pursuit of a drunken deity, Ametis turned to the goddess of the moon and the hunt, Artemis. She turned her to stone. Dionysus made an attempt to cheer up his beloved. He sprinkled the stone with his magical wine, but the drink only soaked into the crystal, and thus it acquired its purple hue. Subsequently, Zeus chopped the amethyst into pieces, and so magnificent stones scattered around the world.

The second interpretation is more common. The ancient Romans and Greeks found it a shame to drink strong wine. In this regard, they each time placed a transparent crystal of amethyst next to the jug. The drink should be diluted with water until it acquires the same color as the mineral. At the same time, purple quartz in itself was attributed to the ability to protect against intoxication.... Therefore, they were often decorated with cups, and necklaces with him were worn at feasts.

The Bible reads that the purple mineral was one of the stones that adorned the vestments of the high priest in Jerusalem. The Chinese wore crystal amulets on the eve of the battle. In the Middle Ages, the church fell in love with the mineral, it was even called "monastic" or "episcopal".

There are also other names for the gem, for example, "bishop" (old Russian) and "apostolic" (in the Orthodox tradition) stone.

In that era, this stone was of greater value than a ruby. Amethyst was a favorite stone of the church fathers, in fact, for this reason, crosses, icons of saints, an altar were often decorated with a purple nugget.

The mineral, among other things, is referred to as "widow's stone" (like alexandrite and pearls). The mineral is considered a symbol of a woman's great love and devotion. Such jewelry items are worn by beautiful women who have lost their much beloved spouse, as well as who have made a vow of endless devotion to their beloved.

The crystal is mined in various places around the world.

Its deposits are present:

• in North America and Brazil - Brazilian deposits of these minerals are quite extensive, but the stones mined there are not endowed with high quality characteristics;
• likewise, the stone is quarried in South America;
• Africa;
• Asia;
• Russian Federation;
• Germany;
• Armenia;
• in Sri Lanka (Ceylon island);
• in Madagascar.

Minerals mined at different points differ in their characteristics and properties. In Asia, nuggets of the highest quality are mined, but their volume is not too large.

In our country, purple stone is mined in the Urals. The Ural mineral is of the highest quality and has the name Gluboky Sibiryak. There is one more domestic deposit, which is considered the rarest. They call it "Amethyst Coast" or "Cape Ship". It is located on the Kola Peninsula in the Murmansk region.

Amethyst is unique in its properties, which distinguishes it from other minerals.

As mentioned above, amethyst is a type of quartz dominated by the edges of a parallelepiped. Chemical formula - SiO2. Typically, the mineral can be found in the form of neat brushes and druses.

The color of the stone is very intense and depends on the inclusions of iron in the crystal. Under the influence of the sun's color, the mineral burns out and loses its color saturation. If the mineral is heated to 200 degrees, then it is accepted to change its own color from yellow to green and completely colorless. As it cools, the amethyst recreates its own original color. At 300-500 ° C, the stone becomes colorless forever (only directed ionization can help); and at temperatures between 500 and 600 ° C, the stone acquires a bright yellow color and transforms into quartz. During every 25 years of its own existence, the stone loses about 20% in color saturation.

From the history of the mineral, its purpose becomes clear. Amethyst personifies serenity, chastity and infallibility. Violet color quartz protects from bad habits and attachments, as well as from disturbing the process of falling asleep. This mineral will be an excellent talisman for someone who lives by classical moral views.

According to its characteristics, the stone turns, as it were, in addition to its owner. As a result, a pure and light mineral is reorganized in conflicts in the face of negative emotions of the owner. If you suspect a discord is brewing, remove the jewelry to avoid trouble and rinse later in running water.

The violet color of amethyst corresponds to the Sahasrara chakra located at the crown of the head. She is responsible for wisdom, insight, and spirituality. Consequently, harmony with the mineral will contribute to the formation of such characteristics. The talisman with a mineral, in addition, will teach you to feel hypocrisy and crookedness. With the help of it, you will free yourself from nervousness and incontinence.

The mystical characteristics of this amulet are rather contradictory. He is able to both strengthen marriage and turn it into dust. It so happens that a stone is given for the purpose of a love spell... In this episode, the amethyst actually initiates reciprocity (and is able to upset a long-term union or relationship), but such a warlock does not give happiness.

In ancient times, the weather was predicted on purple quartz - it becomes dark if a hurricane is approaching. Of course, only natural stone has all the features that we have described. Grown in a laboratory, the mineral is lifeless based on the beliefs of magic, no matter how ideal it is.

The following magical characteristics of the mineral are usually distinguished:

• saves its owner from hypochondriacal disorder and bad thoughts;
• reveals the sixth sense and extrasensory perception;
• can help to resolve a controversial situation without loss;
• gives happiness;
• protects from divination;
• relieves blues, heals mental pain;
• protects from bad dubious actions;
• helps its owner in love, protects against infidelity.
• an amethyst amulet will protect marriage from troubles and strife.

Since ancient times, the mineral has been credited with the ability to get rid of intoxication. It helps not only to be sober for a long time in the process of libations, but also clarifies the mind of an already drunk person, and in the morning makes a hangover easier.

A wide health-improving feature of amethyst and its use in alternative medicine is the release from addictions: from addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The healing qualities of amethyst are widely used in stone therapy (lithotherapy). Many ailments are treated with the help of the mineral.

• Kidney disease.
• Nightmares.
• This amulet, placed on the stomach, heals headaches as well as blues.
• Helps to fight hunger during the diet, which improves the result of weight loss and facilitates the diet.
• Removes psychological stress.
• It can help relieve tension and anxiety with various mental stress.
• Restrains the process of falling vision.
• It cures infertility, promotes the bearing of a healthy baby.
• During epidemics, the talisman protects against infections due to the disinfecting effect of the stone. This feature was used in ancient China. Boxes and bottles were made from the mineral to preserve potions so that they would not deteriorate and absorb bad energy.
• Sexual dysfunctions.
• Preserves memory.

And also if you wear jewelry made from this stone, your eyesight will improve, emotional excitement will disappear, insomnia will disappear and the activity of the nervous and endocrine systems will normalize. The stone can suppress painful sensations when applied to the painful area... Anyone who seeks to lose excess weight can overcome the feeling of hunger through a natural doctor.

Amethyst water can be used in the role of a drug that relieves the course of colds. For this, an amethyst crystal is placed in a vessel with water, and so the night is insisted. To recharge with additional vital energy, you need to set the water in such a way that the full moon is reflected in it. Such water can be used to wash your face in order to remove acne.

To get rid of despondency or psychological problems, the ancient practice advises to take a purple mineral, hold it in your hands and watch for a long time in order to establish a spiritual connection. Then imagine the sea at sunset. In my thoughts, put the sun in an amethyst and enjoy its rays. This pacifies thoughts, brings them back to normal, frees from negativity and anger.

There are various colors: light, hardly distinguishable purple, bluish, lavender, blue, black, purple. Non-uniformly colored minerals are often found. It is known that the color of gems depends on what foreign substances they include. The characteristics of the mineral depend on the type of crystal.

A particularly popular type of amethyst is the one that is purple in color.

Nevertheless, the mineral also happens in other colors, and for this reason it is of great interest among collectors and jewelers.

• Green amethyst (proselyte) is of natural origin. This sample comes across quite rarely, it is used in the creation of jewelry. Due to the high density and durability, stone-cutters make unique cuts, for example, cabochons.

• Pink amethyst is a symbol of happiness, associated with tenderness. This mineral color containing "romanticism" is extremely rare and therefore costs a lot of money. Unrivaled in beauty, the stone deserves a high quality setting. There may be inclusions in the crystal, and after being exposed to sunlight for a long time, it loses its saturation.

• Black amethyst - an especially rare species in nature. Another name is "Black King". According to some information, this stone can neutralize radiation radiation. This gem does not disregard either a practicing magician or a collector. The mystical qualities of the stone make it possible to implement tasks of varying complexity, in addition, they assist in the cure of many diseases. This crystal is especially often practiced in magical ceremonies.

• Purple amethyst recognized by color saturation.The stone can be pale lilac, lavender or violet, bright lilac. The shade is influenced by the contained iron. A transparent mineral with a minimum amount of inclusions is especially appreciated by jewelers.

The main characteristic that distinguishes natural stone from counterfeit is hardness. Quartz stones are stronger than steel. When purchasing amethyst products, take a knife or blade with you. Try to scratch - you won't be able to scratch a genuine stone. This technique is enough to separate the mineral from the clumsy fake made of plastic or glass. However, when in front of you is a purple mineral grown artificially or artificially enriched in color, scratching will not be able to help.

The coloring technique makes it possible to expose not only painted pieces of glass, but also stones that have acquired a color scheme under a specialized lamp. Natural minerals will have a slightly uneven color, in some place more intense, in some places less bright. Very rarely comes across in nature and flawless transparency. In short, a flawless mineral is likely to be, if not outright fake, then, most likely, simply artificial.

Water will also allow you to distinguish a genuine jewel from a fake one. Just dip the stone into a jar of water and hold it there for a minute. Genuine amethyst seems to absorb moisture, its edges will be more colorless. Artificial - no.

Try to warm the stone in your palms. Minerals practically do not absorb heat. Consequently, the natural specimen will remain cool to the touch, and the counterfeit will heat up from your palms.

The sun will also be an excellent help if you place the decoration under the rays for a couple of hours. Natural amethyst loses color under their influence in proportion, fake - no.

Examine the mineral under a magnifying glass. As already mentioned, there are practically no flawless minerals in nature. It is clear that the question of the naturalness of a mineral is, first of all, a question of cost. When they are trying to sell you a fake amethyst at the price of a real one, the seller is an obvious crook.

When purchasing amethyst, do not forget to ask for documents on the mineral, inquire about its authenticity and origin.

Amethyst is a pretty strong stone, and as a result, its help tends to be as great as the damage if it is used incorrectly.

Experts in the field of astrology, when describing the stone, claim that it is best suited for Gemini, Aquarius and Libra. The mineral will not bring much benefit to the bulk of other signs of the zodiac, but it will not bring trouble either. Only Taurus and Leos are considered an exception - the stone is strongly contraindicated for them. These signs of the zodiac have opposite character traits - composure and activity, arrogance. The crystal is able to become a factor of blues for Taurus, and for Leo to obstruct the manifestation of their natural charisma.

In order for the amethyst to have the opportunity to serve you for as long as possible, adhere to a few ingenuous recommendations how to wear this stone.

• So that the mineral does not lose its own miraculous power, it is required to feed it from time to time. It is advisable to do this on the waxing moon.
• As previously mentioned, the purple stone turns pale when exposed to sunlight.Temporarily do not wear jewelry with quartz, save it in a dark place. And wrap it in a soft cloth to protect it from damage.
• Temperature fluctuations have a detrimental effect on stones. Over time, they begin to crack and fade.
• Bracelets with minerals, like rings, should be removed when you wash the dishes, hand wash or do wet cleaning. Detergents and cleaners are bad for amethyst.
• Quartz jewelry accumulates negative energy. To clear them of negative information, rinse your jewelry systematically. The best thing is running water, it should be noted that it is not from the mains.
• It happens that the mineral becomes cloudy. In such a situation, it needs to be cleaned. A jeweler should deal with very neglected options. However, there are some things that can be done at home. To do this, hold the amethyst in soapy water for a certain time, and then brush it with a soft toothbrush.
• Protect the stone from impacts and falls. It is quite durable, but with all that, there is no need to risk it. The most fragile minerals are inexpensive amethysts from Brazilian geodes.

Luxurious and mysterious stone is unique in its kind, but products with it are really affordable for an average budget. This applies to silver jewelry. They will be an excellent gift for yourself or a loved one, an exquisite addition to the image, a healing amulet and a miraculous amulet against negative energy.

How amethyst is mined - see the next video.