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'''Amethyst''' is a violet or purple variety of [[quartz]] often used as an [[ornamental stone]]. The name comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words ''a'' (not) and ''methuskein'' ("to intoxicate"), referring to the belief that this [[gemstone]] protected its owner from [[drunkenness]]. The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent [[intoxication]]. Others have considered it a symbol of heavenly understanding and of the pioneer in spiritual and material aspects. Once counted among the most valuable gemstones, its commercial value dropped when large deposits of the mineral were discovered in [[Brazil]] and other parts of the world.

[[Image:Amethyst.bed.750pix.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A bed of amethyst crystals on base rock, 13 centimeters (5 inches) long.]]
[[Image:Amethystvb.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A polished amethyst gemstone.]]

== Occurrence and distribution ==
[[Image:Quartz Amethyst.jpg|thumb|250px|Museum quality piece of amethyst.]]

Amethyst was used as a [[gemstone]] by the ancient [[Egypt]]ians and was largely employed in antiquity for [[intaglio (jewelry)|intaglio]]. Beads of amethyst are found in [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] graves in [[England]]. It is a widely distributed [[mineral]], but fine, clear specimens suitable for cutting as ornamental stones are confined to comparatively few localities. Such [[crystal]]s occur either in the cavities of mineral vein and in [[granite|granitic]] rocks, or as a lining in [[agate]] [[geode]]s.

The most commercially significant deposits occur in southern [[Brazil]] and neighboring [[Uruguay]]. Many of the hollow agates of Brazil and Uruguay contain amethyst crystals in their interior. [[Madagascar]] is the third major country to export the stone. Much fine amethyst also comes from [[Russia]], especially from near [[Mursinka]] in the [[Ekaterinburg]] district, where it occurs in cavities in granitic rocks. In addition, many localities in [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]] yield amethyst.

In the [[United States]], amethyst occurs at many sites, but the specimens are rarely fine enough for use in jewelry. Among these locations are Amethyst Mountain, [[Texas]]; [[Yellowstone National Park]]; [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]; [[Haywood County, North Carolina]]; and Deer Hill and Stow, [[Maine]]. It is found also in the [[Lake Superior]] region. Amethyst is relatively common in northwestern [[Ontario]] and in various locations throughout Nova Scotia, but uncommon elsewhere in [[Canada]]. It was selected as the provincial mineral of Ontario in 1975.

Although it was traditionally included in the group of cardinal (or most valuable) gemstones (along with [[diamond]], [[sapphire]], [[ruby]], and [[emerald]]), amethyst has lost much of its value after the discovery of extensive deposits in locations such as [[Brazil]].

==Characteristics==

As a variety of [[quartz]], amethyst is composed mainly of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO<sub>2</sub>). Its purple color was once attributed to the presence of [[manganese]]. That view, however, has been challenged because it does not explain why the stone changes its color from purple to yellow on exposure to heat. Some, therefore, have attributed the color to the compound [[Iron|ferric]] [[thiocyanate]], which contains iron and [[sulfur]] and is sensitive to heat. Much of the [[citrine]], [[cairngorm]], or yellow quartz of jewelry is said to be merely "burnt amethyst." In addition, veins of amethystine quartz are apt to lose their color on the exposed outcrop.

The crystal structure of amethyst differs from that of other quartzes. It consists of an irregular superposition of alternate [[lamellar structure|lamellae]] (layers) of right-handed and left-handed quartz. Lamellar structures consist of fine, alternating layers of different materials. It has been shown that this structure may be a result of mechanical stresses. Consequently, amethyst is apt to break with a rippled fracture. Some mineralogists, following Sir [[David Brewster]], apply the name amethyst to all quartz that exhibits this structure, regardless of color.

Amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the [[Mohs scale of hardness|Mohs scale]] and is therefore valued for use in jewelry. It is, however, just one-fifteenth the hardness of diamond.

==Variants of amethyst==
[[Image:Srr046a.jpg|thumb|250px|A 6-carat (1.2-gram) pear-shaped amethyst ring.]]

Amethyst is found in varying colors that are given different names. For instance, "Rose de France" is usually a pale pinkish lavender or lilac shade&mdash;usually the least-sought color. By contrast, the most prized color is an intense violet with red flashes and is called "Siberian," although gems of this color may occur from several locations other than [[Siberia]], notably [[Uruguay]] and [[Zambia]]. More recently, certain gems (usually of Bolivian origin) that have alternate bands of amethyst purple with citrine orange have been given the name "[[ametrine]]."

Purple [[corundum]], or [[sapphire]] of amethystine tint, is sometimes called "Oriental amethyst," but jewelers may use this term in referring to fine examples of ordinary amethystine quartz, even when not derived from eastern sources. Professional gemological associations&mdash;such as the [[Gemological Institute of America]] (GIA) or the [[American Gemological Society]] (AGS)&mdash;discourage the use of the term "Oriental amethyst" to describe any gem, as it may be misleading.

==Amethyst in folklore and astrology==

Amethyst is the [[birthstone]] associated with February. It has also been associated with the [[astrological sign]]s of [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]], [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]], [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]], and [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]]. Based on the belief that amethyst was a strong antidote against drunkenness, wine goblets were often carved from it.

Some have considered amethyst a symbol of heavenly understanding, and as a mark of the pioneer in thought and action on the philosophical, religious, spiritual, and material planes. Ranking members of the [[Roman Catholic]] Church traditionally wear rings set with a large amethyst as part of their office.

The origin of amethyst is told in different legends. According to one [[Greek]] myth, when a drunken [[Dionysus]] (the Thracian god of wine) was pursuing a maiden named Amethystos, she refused his affections and prayed to the gods to remain chaste. The goddess [[Artemis]] granted the prayer and transformed her into a white stone. Humbled by Amethystos' desire to remain chaste, Dionysus poured wine over the stone, dyeing the crystals purple.

In another legend, Dionysus was angered by an insult from a mere mortal and created fierce tigers to attack the next mortal who crossed his path. Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. To protect Amethyst from the animals, Diana turned her into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. At the sight of this beautiful statue, Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action, and his tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today.



== See also ==

* [[Crystal]]
* [[Gemstone]]
* [[Mineral]]

== Notes ==
<references />
* Much of the original version of this article was taken from the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the [[Help:Public domain|public domain]].

== References ==

* Hurlbut, Cornelius S., and Cornelis Klein. 1985. ''Manual of Mineralogy''. 20th ed. New York: John Wiley. ISBN 0-471-80580-7
* Sofianides, Anna S., and George E. Harlow. 1997. ''Gems & Crystals''. London: Parkgate Books. ISBN 1-85585-391-4
* Weinstein, Michael. 1967. ''The World of Jewel Stones''. New York: Sheridan House.

== External links ==

* [http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/amethyst.html Amethyst] "Gem by Gem" series, International Colored Gemstone Association. Retrieved January 19, 2007.


[[Category:Physical sciences]]
[[Category:Earth sciences]]
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Minerals]]

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