The Meaning of Amethyst
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Amethyst?
Amethyst is a member of the quartz family. It is most famous for its brilliant shades of purple. The purple coloring can range from a light shade of lilac to a deep plum color. Amethyst stones usually consist of various zones of color intensity. These are due to the unique angles of their cut. Therefore the meaning of amethyst can vary, however, generally this gem means calmness and stillness.
How is it Formed?
Amethyst crystals forms in a two-step process:
- First, gas cavities form bubbles in volcanic lava. The cooling lava will harden completely before filling in around the outcrop, creating a cavity.
- Then, the cavities are filled with a silica-rich liquid that contains trace amounts of iron. This liquid will form crystals of amethyst over time resulting in amethyst geodes.
Meaning of Pink Amethyst
Pink amethyst is a soft-colored, feminine version of the more traditional dark purple amethyst. Although softer in color, the pink amethyst meaning is powerful. It has a cleansing energy and is known to instill feelings of understanding, calmness, trust and grace. It is known to have healing properties and protect against negative energy by opening the heart to love and tolerance.
Meaning of Green Amethyst/Prasiolite
Green amethyst, more commonly known as prasiolite, is an almost transparent shade of green. The green amethyst meaning is one of inner vision, power, and self-love. It connects us to the element Earth and our hearts.
Meaning of Purple Amethyst
Spiritual
The spiritual meaning of purple amethyst is connected to the mind. It supports our thought processes and intuition. Purple amethyst is said to promote calm to the mind and clarity where there is confusion.
Lore
In the 1500's, a poet named Remy Belleau crafted a myth in the form of a poem. In this Ancient Greeks themed myth, Bacchus, the Roman god of intoxication was chasing after a young woman named Amethyst. This young woman did not want Bacchus's affections. Therefore, the goddess Diana was sent to save her by transforming her into a crystal stone.
Bacchus was humbled by Amethyst's desire to stay chaste and poured wine over the stone in homage which created a deep purple crystal. Although this myth was created after the ancient times, there's a past legend where the Greek titan Rhea presents Dionysus with amethyst to help preserve his sanity.
Emotional Meaning
Purple amethyst is said to provide emotional support in the form of confidence and calmness. This includes protection from the negativity of stress and anxiety. Many people use this stone for work-related stress and meditation. Ultimately, amethyst has healing properties.
Wellness Meaning
There are many amethyst meanings and uses, but one of the most well-known is the way it supports wellness. It is said to help promote strength and freedom from bad habits.
What Does Amethyst Inspire for Relationships?
Individuals born in the month of February have a purple amethyst birthstone assigned. According to legend, Saint Valentine wore an amethyst ring carved with Cupid's likeness. Purple amethyst is the gem traditionally given for a six-year wedding anniversary. Some individuals choose to give their beloved an amethyst engagement ring to symbolize royalty and power.
Deep purple amethyst has been a symbol of royalty through the ages. The Duchess of Windsor wore a Cartier-designed amethyst bib necklace to a gala in Versailles in 1953. It was made of 28 step-cut amethysts, one oval faceted amethyst, and a large heart-shaped amethyst in front.
Choosing an Amethyst Engagement Ring
While you are looking for the perfect engagement ring to pop the question, why not go the extra mile and get her a unique amethyst engagement ring? A gemstone engagement ring while nontraditional is a beautiful way to express your love and seal the deal. After all, a relationship as unique as yours deserves a unique engagement ring such as an amethyst engagement ring. Representing all the right things, spirituality, royalty, and protection will be sparkling in an engagement ring. With so many spiritual properties, it will bring an element of spiritual consciousness into your relationship.
So why does an amethyst make for a good engagement ring center? As we discussed, amethyst is a form of quartz and is about a 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. So while it may not be as strong as a diamond or a sapphire, it still is pretty durable if cared for correctly. Not to forget that it looks absolutely gorgeous in the center of an engagement ring with the royal hues of purple! After all, your queen does deserve a symbol of royalty and express herself in color. A vintage amethyst ring will be a great option to consider and you could add some accent diamonds around the amethyst as a protective setting like in an amethyst and diamond engagement ring. You should also ensure that the gemstone is mounted in a secure setting.
Owing to its mysterious beauty, amethyst pairs well with all metals. So you could easily opt for a white gold metal for a modern look as you could with a yellow gold classic look. Rose gold amethyst rings also make for a beautiful engagement ring while opting for a trendy look and offer a unique ring, to say the least. But white gold will complement the bluish undertones of amethyst while a warm metal like rose gold or yellow gold will intensify the purplish hues.
You can wear your amethyst engagement ring on a daily basis as it is a strong enough stone for everyday wear. It is hard, durable, and offers a hard-to-miss hue that just demands all the right attention. There’s no reason you couldn’t wear your amethyst engagement ring every day just as you would any other engagement ring but we recommend storing it in a soft jewelry box at night and keeping it away from other jewelry pieces that could scratch it. Amethyst may dull if exposed to direct sunlight, so it is essential to care for your amethyst engagement ring with love. You should avoid showering with it and remove it while at the gym, swimming, or while applying lotions.
While amethyst engagement rings may be unconventional, they will definitely stand the test of time as a testament to your love.
FAQs
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