Amethyst: its characteristics and properties

Amethyst in Greek means "not drunk". This name is explained by the protective abilities of this semiprecious stone. He purifies the consciousness of his owner and protects him from negative external influences. That's why rich people preferred to use amethyst cups. It was believed that in this case the wine drunk does not cloud the mind.

Amethyst stone is a special kind of quartz. As a rule, it has a violet color. Due to its unique color, the church ministers especially distinguished them, who decorated the amethyst with utensils for worship. And the ring with amethyst was the hallmark of the highest spiritual ranks.

Color range of amethyst

In nature there are amethysts of such colors:

• Purple;
• Pink;
• Purple;
• Green;
• Black.

The most common is the violet variety. And the shade of amethysts has a different intensity, down to a dense violet color. The color of the stone depends on the amount of manganese or iron ions that are embedded in the structure of the quartz. To admire the various varieties of amethyst, it is enough to go through the link http://mineralmarket.ru/758-ametist.

A stone of green color, called still prazolite, is found only in Brazil. His color is also very rich in various shades. And needle impregnations add to it an amazing piquancy.

Black amethyst is formed in the bowels of the earth for many centuries. He has a unique ability to save a person from the effects of stress. In addition, it is believed that amethyst helps in the search for spiritual enlightenment.

How to distinguish natural amethyst

As a kind of quartz, amethyst acquired its density and hardness. The stone is almost impossible to scratch. The main difference between natural amethyst and its artificial counterpart is color. The natural stone has an uneven color, sometimes it is very intense. This is what distinguishes it from an artificial product, which has a uniform and everywhere the same color.

Amethyst is especially beautiful in the sun. But if it is heated for a long time, then it acquires a yellowish-greenish shade. If the stone is immersed in water, its edges will become discolored. This is another opportunity to distinguish natural quartz from artificially grown stone. The latter does not change its color when it comes into contact with water.