Its name comes from the Greek word ’amethustos’, meaning ’not drunk’. The Ancient Greeks thought, the holder of the stone will be exempted from the effects of alcohol, whist anger and relieves from harmful addictions.

The origin of its name can be found in the Greek mythology: Dionysos, the God of Wine and Inebriation, was offended by an earthborn, on which he got so exasperated that he has decided to revenge on the first creature coming in his way. Amethyst, a beautiful maiden, was on her way to Goddess Diana, when she has faced tigers. Diana, to protect Amethyst, has transformed her to a bright quartz sculpture. Dyonisos started crying because of his sense of guilt, his tears have coloured the quartz into violet.

Amethyst is the violet-scented colour of Quartz, given by manganese and iron-titanium. It can be found from the light lavender violet to the dark bluish-violet. Its colour is not homogeneous, lighter and darker parts are often visible in it. For longer sun radiation its colour can pale. 

We can find Amethyst mines in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia and in some African countries.

 Mohs:7.