Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is one of the most popular gemstones. It has been considered valuable since ancient times. The quartz must be purple to be called amethyst, but it can display a range of shades including deep purple, light lilac, violet, rose, lavender and mauve. When manganese is present in clear quartz amethyst is produced, while the amount of iron contained in the specimen accounts for the depth of purple.
Amethyst has been known to man for ages and was popular with the Ancient Greeks, as well as the Ancient Egyptians. Its name is derived from the Greek word "amethystos", which means "not drunken", as Amethyst in ancient times was thought to ward off drunkenness. For many thousands of years, amethyst is known as the most striking representative of the quartz family which has been a coveted by princes both ecclesiastical and secular. Amethyst calms the mind and helps us to connect with our spiritual nature. A large number of further miraculous powers are attributed to the amethyst in all sorts of cultures. It was said to protect crops against tempests and locusts, bring good fortune in war and in the hunt, drive out evil spirits and inspire the intellect.
Amethyst can be found all around the world with Brazil as the largest producer. Other important deposits are in Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, Madagascar, Canada, and the United States (Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, and Maine). On the Canadian side of Lake Superior in North America, there is a place named Amethyst Harbor, where violet quartz is found in ample quantities. In July 1993, a deposit was found in Maine, which contained well over 1000 kilograms amethyst.
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