AMETHYST

Amethyst is a light violet through to deep purple variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The name comes from the Ancient Greek a- ("not") and methustos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.  It is generally regarded as the birthstone for February.

Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is very suitable for use in most types of jewellery.  The relative hardness to Sapphire for example, however, is such that it will wear and abrade if treated harshly.

Amethyst is produced in abundance from many locations in  Brazil and Uruguay where it occurs in large geodes within volcanic rocks.   Amethyst is also found in Russia, especially from near Mursinka in the Ekaterinburg district, where it occurs in drusy cavities in granitic rocks. Many other localities worldwide such as Canada, Nigeria, U.S.A, India, Australia among others  yield amethyst but one of the largest global amethyst producers is Zambia with an annual production of about 1,000 Tons.

The metaphysical properties attributed to Amethyst are that it is a gem of inspiration and is considered to dispel anger, fear and anxiety.  It is a stone of peace and protection.