Amethyst (rich color)

Item Description

While Amethyst is found in many world localities, there are only a few places that produce really richly colored material. The historic Siberian material has long been mined out, and although Zambia produces deeply colored Amethyst gems, the production has almost dwindled to nothing in recent years. This stone is a wonderful, saturated, deep purple color stone with only slight inclusions and a "Bar Cabochon" cut. Don't miss out on this beautiful gem. For reference, the name "amethyst" comes from the Greek "a-methystos" meaning "not drunken,". Wine goblets were often carved from it in an attempt to prevent inebriation, and the gemstone still symbolizes sobriety to this day. Traditionally, the color purple has been a symbol for royalty and Amethyst was often used for monarchs and leaders throughout history. It was, considered to be the stone of bishops, who still often wear amethyst rings. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it. Amethyst would be very expensive, were not for its widespread availability, as it is one of the few purple gems out there.