Today this gem remains just as beloved and popular in its various forms (natural, geodes, tumbled, cut and polished). In religion, amethyst adorned artifacts of the church, resembling celibacy and devotion.
Throughout history, the gem was used for many beliefs, such as victory in war, hunting, disease prevention, avoidance of evil and enhancing intelligence. As a result, the term “amethyst” translates from “amethystos,” the Greek word indicating “sober.” It was believed long ago by the Greeks that keeping amethyst on or with them would prevent intoxication.
The glass of wine then spilled over the quartz, staining it the purple hue we today associate with the amethyst gem. Stemming from the Greek legends, they speak of a young woman magically turned into a quartz stone to protect herself from a vengeful Greek God, whose tears of remorse fell into his wine goblet once he realized her fate as a result of his actions. Throughout history, amethyst was coveted as a means to bring in abundance of wealth and prosperity. Revered by the Egyptians, the Romans and the Greeks, this stone was thought to be one of royalty. The formations of amethyst clusters inside, at times complemented with bands of agate, offer a unique and beautiful peek at the inside of the natural formation of amethyst geodes.Īmethyst itself is a form of the quartz crystal, that is purple in color, dating back thousands of years. Amethyst geodes often appeal to people due to the stunning interior of what on the outside can appear quite plain. In fact, both Brazil and Uruguay are home to copious amounts of amethyst geodes in the basalt regions, formed over 160 million years ago after a rift in the tectonic plates of both Africa and South America. Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico and Namibia have become primary countries when it comes to the geode market. The term “geode” is derived from the Greek, meaning “earthlike,” and can be found globally, particularly in the Americas. Not usually as large as geodes from volcanic areas, the amethyst geodes found in these sedimentary areas are just as significant. Voids filled with gas in the deposits of these areas allow for geode formation when organic materials (such as tree branches) decompose, and minerals such as quartz start to form in the cavities. In addition to being found in the deposits from volcanoes, amethyst geodes can also be found in areas of limestone, shale and dolomite, resulting from rock sedimentation. This protective wall is harder and more durable than the surrounding bedrock, allowing for the formation to remain intact during natural erosion and weathering. Geodes have a hollow interior that is protected by their outer wall that was formed from the lava. Traces of iron in the Earth as the crystals are forming contribute to the color of amethyst, ranging from light to deep purple shades. Other times, the cavities are filled with groundwater instead of gas, also resulting in the formation of quartz, agate and other minerals. Often, both the crystals, and the agate form together inside the geodes. In doing so, various colored bands of agate are shown inside the geodes. Only when the lava wears away, are the geodes left behind in nuggets until they are cut open. Once the lava begins to cool, gas is released, leaving behind small cavities where any gas bubbles may have been trapped. Lava, particularly basalt lava, reaches temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius when it erupts on the Earth’s surface. Often, various types of quartz are the minerals that are formed in geodes, including amethyst geodes. What exactly are amethyst geodes and how are they formed? When a gas cavity (known as a vesicle) forms in lava and becomes filled with minerals, it becomes a geode. That is what happens when you encounter the amazing gems known as amethyst geodes.
Now imagine splitting this rock open only to reveal a breathtaking interior, filled with amethyst crystals and beautiful bands of agate to behold. Activates crown chakra.Īmethyst is the birthstone for February, and is associated with the signs of Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, and Capricorn.Have you ever experienced the hidden beauty of amethyst geodes? Imagine a plain rock, ordinary and nondescript. Enhances feeling of contentment, and a connection to one's spirituality. Metaphysical Attributes: Physical representative of the Violet Ray.
Amethyst may be found throughout the world our specimens are from Brazil and Uruguay. It is the presence of manganese in quartz that produces the purple color, and iron content varies the coloration. Amethyst has been known as the most highly prized form of quartz.
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