A
beautiful tenderly-purple gemstone is very much loved for a long time now. It
was called «amethystos» in Ancient Greece that meant non-drunk due to the fact that it was believed that the owner
of an amethyst never got drunk and it was said that amethyst neutralized
toxins. The same is stated in a writing found in Russia that was approximately
made in 1672: «Amethyst is a gem of the cherry colors, it's been born in India
and there are powers inside the gemstone: it shoos the drunkenness away, it
moves the bold thoughts away, creates an all-clear mind and helps in all of the
deeds». Almost at all times the purple gemstone was used as an aid against the
drinking and it seems like it has really helped, otherwise how could these
writings and legends live so long for us to read and hear them?
The
name of the gemstone is actually linked to the name of a beautiful nymph that
was called Amethys. The ancient Greek God of wine and joy fell in love with the
nymph and had a deep passion for her but Amethys as proud as one could be
refused to be with Dionysus because she loved a shepherd called Sirikos who was
a beautiful musician and one of the Apollo's chosen ones. While Amethys was running
through the forests and meadows from the outraged Dionysus, she asked the
Goddess of war Artemis to come to her aid. Artemis came and turned her into a
lilac glowing gemstone that was later on named Amethyst after the nymph.
Much
later amethyst was considered a sacred and spiritual gemstone and lots of the
ecclesiastic items and attributes were made using the gemstone. When one was
advanced to go on to become a cardinal one was given a ring with an amethyst in
it. This is why the gem was later called a bishop's or a pastor's gem in
catholic countries and pontiff's in Russia. In a more ancient time amethyst was
used to create cups, sigils, signets and small things (In Ancient Greece and
Rome) and also lots of flasks and caskets and chests (In China). It was
believed that if a poisonous drink would be drunk out of an amethyst cup the
one who drank it won't get poisoned. Others believed that if the gemstone was
put into the venom it would change its color and tincture.
In
real life however amethyst changes its colors when the sun shines bright
directly at it. The gemstone is almost burned down by the beams but if it is
later treated carefully and is being processed under the X-ray beams the color
comes back to its original, purple tones. The colors of amethyst can vary: from
light-purple to really dark, deep tones of purple with rose or red tinctures.
There are however very little of the pure and clear gemstones out there that
have no impregnations or any of such. The most common look of the amethyst is
when the stone has the white isinglass stone impregnations in it or when the
amethyst's colors are a little yellow which is covered by purple paint before
the selling so that the buyer doesn't notice that. This is why one should wash
amethyst in soapy water after one bought the precious gemstone.
One
shouldn't forget that those bright and lively amethysts that we see under the
sunlight are getting pale and fade once they are in a room with the electrical
lighting. But despite this one shouldn't leave the gem under sunlight for too
long as it may lead to color getting even paler and the gem would fade
horribly. The purple amethyst would turn into a pale white gem or get this ugly
white tincture.
If
you have decided to buy an amethyst jewel make sure that the precious stone is
solid (amethyst is a hard stone and can be used to cut glass) and bright. One
shouldn't forget that a gemstone with cracks and chips can bring bad luck to
its owner.
If
you are looking for a talisman please remember that an amethyst of round, oval
or square forms can be worn by anyone whereas an amethyst of a triangle form
would only suit people with earth or fire Zodiac signs. One should also choose
a clear, bright amethyst of a medium size to improve the family relations (This
gemstone according to feng-shui philosophy is capable of doing so). Amethyst
can calm down the nerves, settle down the conflicts; it brings luck, peace and
blessing. This is way in Ancient Rome the gemstone was called a blessed stone.
Amethyst was widely used by the soldiers to bring them confidence, bravery and
sobriety. It was also used by travelers who even tried to get foresee the
weather with its help. It is believed that amethyst is capable of shooing the
pain of loss and miss away from a woman's heart and of course it is considered
one of the best gems to protect its owner from plague, malefice, hoodoo, dark
magic. A sun or a moon carved on a dark-purple amethyst would make it a strong
talisman and protector.
In
the last few years amethysts became cheaper due to the increased number of the
artificial gemstones in the market. Those precious stones are very hard to
distinguish. However speaking about the power of a talisman it's hard to tell
whether the artificial amethysts are as strong as the ones that are natural.
However believing that it is an artificial one is as strong as the natural when
placing a necklace with the gemstone around one's neck will certainly protect
him. And speaking about the legend of the soberness that a cup made from purple
stone brings is fairly simple: it's hard for one to see through the dark purple
glass how watered the wine in the cup is which helps the drinker stay sober for
as long as he or she wants.
Lelya
Bolotova
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