An in-depth look at Amethyst. The "All-healer." The "Artist's Stone." Amethystos.
Amethyst is a stone of healing and high vibrational energy. It is also very popular, being one of the first stones most practitioners learn about. Because of it's abundance, this stone is easily available and priced so that almost anyone can afford to have it in their collection.
With deposits all over the world, the most notable Amethyst locations are in Brazil and Uruguay. Depending on this location, as well as the conditions of formation, Amethyst can have some unique variations! Some of these include Trapiche (Star) Amethyst, Chevron Amethyst, Brandberg Amethyst, and Ametrine, just to name a few.
Colors | shades of purple, hints of red/pink sometimes present | Streak | white |
Hardness | 7 | Chemical Formula | SiOâ‚‚ |
Specific Gravity | 2.63-2.65 | Luster | vitreous |
Fracture | conchoidal | Cleavage | n/a |
Transparency | transparent to opaque | Crystal System | trigonal |
Crystal Habit | prismatic | Other Identifying Features | potential for mild pleochroism |
Also Known As: The All-Healer, The Artist's Stone, The Poet's Stone
Table of Contents | Quick Links
The Formation & Composition of Amethyst
As stated previously, Amethyst is found naturally throughout a majority of the world. It is a variety of quartz, making it one of the most common minerals on Earth. The purple color you find in Amethyst is owed in part to the radiation process during formation, as well as inclusions of various trace elements and metals, most notably iron.
In short, Amethyst forms when a silica-rich chemical combination, along with some ferric iron, mixes together. As this mixture reaches the Earth's surface and cools, it becomes silicon dioxide (the foundation for quartz). Add in a touch of radiation and voila! You now have purple quartz (aka amethyst). And don't worry, this radiation goes away before any human had the chance to touch it.
Healing Properties & Correspondences of Amethyst
​Zodiac | Pisces, Sagittarius |
Chakras | 3rd Eye, Crown |
Planets | Jupiter |
Elements | Water, Air |
First discovered around 25,000 years ago, Amethyst was named from the Greek word Amethystos, meaning "not intoxicated." It was believed that the stone could protect whoever bore it from drunkenness. Today, Amethyst is often used to aid in breaking negative cycles and eliminating bad habits, especially in relation to alcohol and addiction. It will help to stave off overindulgence.
Amethyst is a high vibrational stone, working closely in conjunction with the third eye and crown chakras. You can use it to stimulate and awaken psychic abilities, as well as to gain a deeper understanding and maintain tranquility during meditation. It will also help in spiritual communications, especially with spirit guides and ancestors. Amethyst focuses on the mind, improving memory, focus, and decision making. It will help you feel less scattered and more in control of your senses.
Along with the spiritual aspects, amethyst is a strong healer, transmuting low frequencies to higher ones. It will absorb negativity, help in reducing anxiety, and create an air of calmness, clarity, and tranquility. Amethyst will help you balance your emotions, coming to terms with loss, dispelling anger, fear, anxiety, and grief. Use it in dreamwork to remember dreams and fend off nightmares, and in creative times to stimulate artistic abilities.
Key Words: tranquility & calmness, healing, dream work, nightmare prevention, aura cleanse, break habits/cycles, creativity, psychic ability, psychic protection
Perfect Crystal Pairs for Amethyst
Pair these stones with Amethyst for the perfect synergy:
Rose Quartz: refocus on yourself & boost self-healing
Citrine: dispel negative emotions & replace them with positivity, joy, & enthusiasm
Tiger's Eye: easier decision making with an unclouded mind, calm & ground
Hematite: overcome addictions, absorb negativity & replace with tranquility
Scolecite: enhance your spiritual connection, improve dreamwork & lucid dreams
Bloodstone: purify yourself, detox, avoid rushing into decisions
Labradorite: open & awaken your 3rd eye & spirituality
Often Confused With...
Ametrine: This is actually a mix of amethyst and natural citrine. The piece will show both purple and yellow/champagne colors.
Fluorite: A softer stone with a hardness of 4. The fastest way to rule this one out is to try and scratch a piece of glass. Amethyst will scratch it, while fluorite will not.
Scapolite: Has a tetragonal crystal system and a hardness of 5 - 6
Spinel: Has a hardness of 7.5 - 8, slightly higher than amethyst. Has a cubic crystal system.
Iolite: Typically more blue in hue. Distinct cleavage in 1 direction. Orthorhombic crystal system.
Super 7: Features amethyst as one of 7 minerals/elements within a single crystal habit
Common Treatments of Amethyst
Heat Treated Amethyst (HTA):
To understand heat treated amethyst, you must first understand the relationship between HTA and citrine. Naturally occurring citrine is actually a bit rare. It occurs when either amethyst or smoky quartz gets superheated within the Earth's mantle. Over a long period of time, this will become citrine. Because of its rarity, scientists have discovered a way to recreate it in a lab. Enter HTA.
Personally, I do not see any problems with HTA, it makes a gorgeous stone. However, the problem is that sellers either don't know or don't care what they're marketing, and will sell HTA as natural citrine without being transparent with the consumer. More on this another time, however the most important thing to keep in mind is that it is up to the practitioner which metaphysical properties feel right, not the seller. The practitioner should be given full transparency when purchasing so they can make the best choice for themselves.
Altered Amethyst:
Amethyst will often be altered to improve the color, clarity, & durability of the stone.
Synthetic Amethyst:
Synthetic (lab-grown) amethyst is typically produced by a process called hydrothermal growth, meaning the crystal grows within a high-pressured, heated container. This lab-grown amethyst has the same chemical and physical properties of natural amethyst, making it virtually impossible to tell the difference without extensive professional gemological testing.
Determining the Quality of Amethyst
Color is the most weighted factor when determining the value of Amethyst. While size also plays a small role, collectors turn to the color, looking for deep, rich purples and flashes of red throughout the specimen.
Cleansing, Cleaning, & Cautions For Amethyst
Cleansing
Salt
Smoke
Sound
Moonlight
Water
Other stones
Cleaning
Use a soft cloth or brush with luke warm water and mild soap
Gently wipe dry
Don't use ultrasonic cleaners
Soaking Amethyst in water will not cause damage to the crystal
Cautions
Amethyst will fade from prolonged exposure to the Sun/UV rays. Avoid cleansing it in sunlight whenever possible.
While Amethyst is considered water-safe, it is generally not a good idea to consume any liquids that any crystal has been in contact with. Amethyst itself is fine, but there are often trace elements within a stone that may be harmful to consume.
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