Amethyst

History
A member of the quartz family, amethyst is highly prized for its deep violet color. Ancient Greeks believed that amethyst warded off the effects of alcohol, especially if the wine was drunk from an amethyst goblet, or if one wore amethyst while drinking. The word itself comes from the Greek "amethystus", meaning "not drunk".

Features
Amethyst is slightly less hard than emerald or aquamarine, but is quite durable, nonetheless. Amethysts are frequently free from flaws, and vary in color from a pale lavender to a deep purple, bordering on black. Some amethysts will show distinctive lines of violet and colorless sections. Occasionally amethysts may contain rutile inclusions, making them highly desirable. Amethyst crystals are six sided, and have a pointed end. Rarely are amethyst crystals found with two naturally formed ends.

Treatments
Most amethyst is untreated, however if heated it may turn a brownish-yellow or a brownish red color, or occasionally a greenish color. For this reason, amethysts are usually removed from their settings before repairs are made, and are reset afterwards.

Principal Deposits
Amethyst is frequently found in Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Canada and the US. Deposits have also been recently found in South Africa and Tanzania.

Rarity
Large amethyst crystals of consistent color, without any internal visible flaws, are somewhat rare, as amethysts tend to form more frequently in beds, or in volcanic hollows, known as cathedrals. The deepest colored amethysts are found in Africa, though large stones are somewhat difficult to find.