Sedona Gem and Mineral Club

The amethyst is among the most popular gemstones for its striking beauty, deep color, and minimum inclusion that can be found in every corner of the world. Apparently, the only commercially run US amethyst mine is in the remote Four-Peaks area of Arizona!  Tours are conducted by helicopter. 

Amethyst is a variety of quartz. Generally, the darker and more reddish the color, the more expensive the stone. Some amethyst stones are heat-treated or irradiated to enhance their color. Sometimes, lighter shades of amethyst are heated and turned into golden citrine or green prasiolite. Amethyst is brittle and susceptible to chipping or cracking.

Amethyst dates as far back as 3,000 B.C. The ancient Egyptians believed it could guard a person against poison.  Medieval churches often used amethysts in jewelry to symbolize wisdom and divinity. The bishop’s ring and the ring of St. Valentine both have amethyst as the central stone.  Amethyst was used in many crown jewels and has been worn by royalty throughout the ages, in the Middle Ages symbolized royalty.  This purple stone has ancient origins in Greek mythology. According to myth, the Greek god of wine, Dionysus went after a young maiden. To protect her, the goddess Diana turned the woman into stone. Dionysus in his grief poured wine over the stone, turning it purple.  In feng shui, amethyst has been used to clear spaces of negative energy and protect the area from harm.