In ancient times wine was often taken from amethyst beakers, because it was believed that this mineral preserves from drunkenness. It is not by chance that the Greek word "amethystos" ("countering the noise") hides behind its name.
Wine also plays a role in the legend about the origin of the gemstone. When Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, hunted at a beautiful maiden named Amethyst in the raging tiger, the goddess Diana had the girl frozen to crystal to appreciate it. The spell kept it before death, but could not be undone. For repentance, Bacchus wine shed over the crystal, giving it its violet color.
In truth, the amethyst owes its broad spectrum, from slightly pink to very dark violet, the traces of iron contained in the crystal. Amethyst fades easily in sunlight, so you should not wear it with sunbathing or discos with black light. Also by heating can change its color. Thus, bright yellow, red-brown, green and colorless varieties are formed by firing at temperatures between 470 and 750 ° C. The color is the most important criterion for the value of the amethyst. Most valuable are stones in transparent, uniform, medium to dark violet, also blue or red color flashes are very popular.
Amethyst is a widely used mineral and the most popular stone from the group of quartz. The most important deposits are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar and Zambia. It has originated in volcanic gas bubbles where aqueous, superheated and pressurized solutions have penetrated into cavities and crystallized there. Such cavities lined with crystals are called drusen when a small residual cavity remains in the crystal layer, or almonds when completely filled with crystal. Amethyst is used mostly as jewelery in different facet cuttings or as cabochon.
Amethyst is popular not only as a jewel, but also because of the various effects that are attributed to it. It is intended to strengthen the concentration and to promote clear thoughts, to give joy and consolation, to have an inspiring and purifying effect. Tibetan clerics used it in meditation, in the Catholic bishop's ring, he symbolizes piety and chaste spirit. Hildegard von Bingen used it as a remedy for insect pests and swelling, and he still finds use in natural healing for bruises, headaches, nervousness and sleep disorders.