Amethyst – one of nature’s most powerful stones

Amethyst is one of the world’s most revered semi-precious stones and has been highly esteemed throughout the ages for its beauty, spirituality and legendary powers to stimulate the mind and heal the body.

Whether its crystals are polished, tumbled, faceted into jewels, carved into beautiful items, or left in its natural state, its beauty is captivating. Formed when manganese penetrates clear quartz, amethyst ranges in hue from pale red-violet to deep violet and it can be transparent or opaque.

Amethyst’s worth in ancient times was equal to that of diamonds and was used by nobility to adorn crowns, sceptres, and rings. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that amethyst had the ability to prevent drunkenness. Indeed, they studded their goblets with amethyst, believing those who drunk from these cups were incapable of becoming intoxicated.

Amethyst is also the stone of love, because, as legend has it, St. Valentine was thought to have worn an amethyst ring engraved with the image of Cupid on it. As the holy man travelled throughout the Roman Empire, people recognised him by his ring and ask him to perform marriages. During the Middle Ages, it is said that if a lady presented her knight with an amethyst stone set in a silver heart, the pair would be blessed with the greatest happiness and good fortune for the rest of their lives. Today amethyst remains the symbolic gem for attracting love and is the birthstone of those born in February.

Amethyst is an incredibly powerful and protective stone and it holds a myriad of metaphysical properties. Its inherent high frequency purifies the body, strengthens the immune system and cleanses the blood. As well as physical pain, it helps relieve emotional and psychological pain or stress, it soothes irritability, dispels feelings of anger, fear and anxiety, as well as alleviating sadness and grief and is a stone of comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Amethyst calms and stimulates the mind and enhances creativity and motivation and passion. Having amethyst beside your bed or under your pillow will help with insomnia and promote more vivid dreams.

When worn, it creates a protective shield of light around the body, guarding the wearer against psychological attack and ill wishes of others. It stimulates the Third Eye, Crown, and Etheric Chakras, opening one up to spiritual direction, whilst allowing clarity and feelings of being centred.