Amethyst
Symbol: Wisdom & Clarity
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Its violet color comes from trace iron combined with natural irradiation during formation, and its intensity can shift from pale lilac to deep, saturated purple depending on where it grew.
Where It Comes From
The name comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning "not intoxicated." Today it's mined mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia, with historic sources in Russia's Ural Mountains.
What Different Peoples Believed
| People | What It Symbolized |
|---|---|
| Ancient Greece | Linked to Dionysus; carved into drinking cups believed to guard against intoxication. |
| Medieval European clergy | Worn by bishops as a symbol of piety, earning it the nickname "stone of bishops." |
| Ancient Egypt | Carved into amulets and jewelry for the dead. |
Birth Month
Amethyst is the official birthstone for February.