amethyst (ăm`əthĭst) [Gr.,=non-drunkenness], variety of quartz quartz, one of the commonest of all rock-forming minerals and one of the most important constituents of the earth's crust. Chemically, it is silicon dioxide, SiO2.
..... Click the link for more information. , violet to purple in color, used as a gem. It is the most highly valued of the semiprecious quartzes. It is associated with a number of superstitions, being regarded as a love charm, as a potent influence in improving sleep, and as a protection against thieves and drunkenness. Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, and parts of North America are important sources of supply. The so-called Oriental amethyst, or purple sapphire, is not quartz but a variety of corundum, a much harder and rarer stone.
Transparent, coarse-grained variety of quartz that is valued as a semiprecious gem for its violet colour. It contains a little more iron oxide (Fe2O3) than any other variety of quartz, and its colour probably arises from this iron content. Heating removes the colour or changes it to the yellow of citrine; most commercial citrine is made in this manner. Notable deposits are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Ontario, and North Carolina. The birthstone for February, amethyst is usually faceted with step cuts or emerald cuts but also has been used since ancient times for carved intaglios.
amethyst
amethyst [′am·ə‚thist]
..... Click the link for more information. , violet to purple in color, used as a gem. It is the most highly valued of the semiprecious quartzes. It is associated with a number of superstitions, being regarded as a love charm, as a potent influence in improving sleep, and as a protection against thieves and drunkenness. Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, and parts of North America are important sources of supply. The so-called Oriental amethyst, or purple sapphire, is not quartz but a variety of corundum, a much harder and rarer stone.
amethyst
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White-tipped amethyst from Guerrero, Mexico
(credit: Lee Boltin)
amethyst
1. a purple or violet transparent variety of quartz used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO2
2. a purple variety of sapphire; oriental amethyst
3. the purple colour of amethyst
amethyst [′am·ə‚thist]
(mineralogy)
The transparent purple to violet variety of the mineral quartz; used as a jeweler's stone.
amethyst
February. [Am. Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 319–320]
See : Birthstones
amethyst
preserved soldiers from harm; gave them victory. [Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 58]
See : Protection
amethyst
provides protection against drunkenness; February birthstone. [Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 58–59]
See : Temperance
Amethyst
a mineral, a violet or sky blue-violet variety of quartz (SiO2). On heating to 300–350°C, amethyst becomes yellow or is discharged. Decolorized amethyst reacquires its color after exposure to X rays. The mineral occurs in quartz veins, granitic rocks, amygdules of volcanic rocks, and sometimes in sedimentary rocks, such as silicon salts. The best specimens are used for jewelry and as ornamental stones. Especially fine are amethysts from the Urals and Brazil. A blue-violet variety of corundum is known in the jeweler’s craft as eastern amethyst.
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