From the ancient times up to the Middle Ages, the amethyst was regarded as a powerful talisman against drunkenness and intoxication. This gemstone symbolizes sobriety, as well as celibacy and sacredness. This is why amethyst is an important gemstone for the clergy. Today's bishops wear rings that bear the amethyst stone, and the followers of Buddha create rosaries made of amethyst beads.
History of Amethyst
Historical evidences revealed that amethyst has been a favorite gemstone of monarchies. The British Crown Jewels have amethyst. Catherine the Great preferred wearing jewels with amethysts. And the wealthy Egyptian families included amethyst in their jewelry collection. The connection of amethyst to nobility is most likely based on a certain story in Greek mythology.
According to the ancient Greeks, a mortal was able to insult Bacchus, the temperamental god of wine. Seeking revenge against all mortals, Bacchus decreed that any mortal who accidentally crossed his path would become victims of his pet tigers. Unfortunately, an innocent beautiful woman, named Amethyst, found herself passing Bacchus' path. To save the woman, the goddess of love, Diana, turned Amethyst into a stone statue. Bacchus realized the pettiness of his actions and wept over the stone. His tears transformed the stone statue into purple-blue quartz.
Modern Significance of Amethyst
Today, amethyst is the modern birthstone, the traditional birthstone, and the ayurvedic birthstone for the birth month of February. In astrology, amethyst is the birthstone for people who were born under the zodiac sign of Aquarius, the water bearer. Amethyst jewelry, usually an amethyst ring, is also an ideal gift for the 4th and 6th wedding anniversaries.
Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst is relatively affordable. Thus, it is an easy-to-obtain gift for people whose birthdays fall in February. However, amethyst jewelry can also be given as generous gifts simply because of the beauty of the gemstone.
Amethyst rings are given to seal true friendships, while amethyst necklaces are given to give moral support to a loved one. Amethyst stones can be cut to a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and this is why it can be made into different kinds of jewelry. In fact, with the flexibility of the amethyst stone, there is a good chance that a unique and extraordinary jewelry setting can be found.
