It should be worn on the right index finger. They are said to symbolise true and constant love, and in fact, the amethyst is the stone of St. The darker shades are best suited to artists and inventors, to whom they give inspiration and energy.Īmethysts apparently also have the ability to protect against and cure nightmares. The Italian astronomer Camillo Leonardi, who lived at the turn of the 15 th and 16 th centuries, wrote that amethysts quicken the mind and get rid of bad thoughts. The Greeks and Romans would drink out of amethyst goblets or carry amethysts to prevent drunkenness. Īccording to historical sources, amethysts were also a good luck charm for sailors and soldiers. As a result, the amethyst became a symbol of the Holy Church and is frequently worn by religious dignitaries. These were usually bishops who had gained some political power. Because of this, important men wore a purple cape, and their hands were often adorned with an amethyst ring. During the Roman Empire and in later times, purple was the color of high social standing. Amethysts in history, legends, and traditionīased on archaeological findings of amethyst necklaces in Egypt, Sumer (now modern day Iraq), Afghanistan, and other places, we can deduce that amethysts were very popular in ancient empires.

Dionysius regretted what he had done and poured wine onto the crystal. However, the goddess Artemis took pity on her and transformed the girl into a white crystal. The girl did not show sufficient respect to Dionysius, so he became angry and sent two tigers to kill her.

The word comes from the Greek amethyein or amethystos meaning “to not be drunk.” A Greek myth speaks of a beautiful girl, called Amethyst, and Dionysius, the god of wine and enjoyment. It got its name in ancient times thanks to its presumed ability to protect people from drunkenness.

The amethyst is a beautiful, purple-colored semi-precious stone.

Green and purple amethyst