AMETHYST

Amethyst is a very popular and beloved gemstone, worldwide known as the stone of meditation. In ancient times Amethyst used to be one of the rarest and most precious stones, whose price often exceeded the price of a diamond. Ancient Greeks wore amethyst as they believed that it would prevent intoxication.

Amethyst appears in secondary hues, red and blue. The best varieties of it, can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Far East. The biggest factor to value an amethyst is its color and not the carat weight! Collectors look nowadays for depth of color, possibly with red large flashes.

This gem is a violet variety of quartz and its name comes from Greek word amethystos, a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.