Amethyst
This beautiful violet Amethyst is one of the largest in the world. The giant gleaming gemstone has been split in two, exposing its interior to reveal tens of thousands of deep purple sparkling crystals.
This particular Amethyst began its life in Uruguay, and yet the origin of the word amethyst comes from the Greek words “a”, meaning “not”, and “methysko” which translates as “intoxicated”. In Ancient Greece, it was believed that the presence of an amethyst would protect its owner from drunkenness, and the ancient Greeks would add it to the base of their drinking vessels so as not to feel the ill effects of too much alcohol.
Much later, in the sixteenth century, the French poet Rémy Belleau created an allegory in which Bacchus, the god of wine, pursued a maiden named Amethyste. His love was unrequited, so much so that Amethyste prayed to Diana, the chaste goddess so that she could remain innocent and not be corrupted by Bacchus’s promiscuous intentions. According to the myth, Diana answered her prayers and turned Amethyst into a white stone. Surprisingly, Bacchus was not angry about her decision; instead, she was humbled by her desire to remain chaste. As an offering to her, he poured his wine over the white stone, which turned purple and created the beautiful Amethyst.
There are many versions of this tale, all attempting to explain the vivid purple colour of the Amethyst. In Western culture, the deep violet colour has long been associated with royalty, wealth, and power. In Eastern culture, the Amethyst holds a more spiritual significance. Notably, in Tibetan culture, the purple stone is used to create prayer beads, and the Amethyst’s crystals are understood to be sacred to Buddha.
The rich history associated with the Amethyst is unsurprising, given its sheer beauty. It is a marvellously natural phenomenon that is so majestic and otherworldly in its appearance that it implores us to consider how the world is made and how things come into being.
