GEMSTONE LORE- AMETHYST

AMETHYST

The vibrant purple variety of quartz is called Amethyst. It is the birthstone designation for February and the 6^th wedding anniversary gift. Amethyst is abundant in Brazil, Uruguay, and Namibia. Other sources include Canada, Sri Lanka, Russia, US, and parts of Africa. The word amethyst comes from the Greek word amethyein, meaning “not drunk.” Ancient Greek mythology tell tall tales of amethyst and how this stone came to be. One such story is how Greeks wore amethyst to protect themselves from intoxication and dark magic. Other tales tell the story of Dionysus, the god of wine, and how he poured wine over crystal quartz, turning it into an amethyst. Because of these early stories, amethyst is believed to help people with addiction and to quit drinking. Placing an amethyst geode in the center of your room is believed to ward off negative energy and greatly reduce stress.