

The stone was used to protect bearers against these vices. The Greeks believed this gem could prevent the user from intoxication and over-indulgence. In ancient Greece you could find people drinking from amethyst-studded goblets. The origin of the name derives from the Greek word ‘amethystos’ and the amethyst definition is ‘not intoxicated’. You can find amethyst in Tibetan prayer beads. The stone is thought of highly in Buddhism and is used during meditation. Many cultures associate amethyst with peace. It was also a symbol of royalty and was used by the wealthy to show off their money and status. Medieval soldiers used amethyst to ward off evil thoughts and to help them on the battlefield. Many people believed this gem had power against witchcraft and could combat negative energy. Ancient Egyptians used engraved amulets to protect themselves against evil. However, it has also appeared in different cultures across the globe. In Ancient Greece, amethyst was seen as a protection stone. Dionysus and Bacchus are the same God but with a different name. However, a historical legend dictates the titan Rhea offered Dionysus an amethyst to preserve his sanity from wine. This 16th century tale cannot be located in classical sources. The God of wine, humbled by this act of chastity, makes an offering of wine, which transforms the white stone purple. The touch of the white stone sobers Bacchus. Diana hears the cries and transforms the maiden into a solid white crystal just before Bacchus reaches her. In fear for her virtue Amethyste calls for help. Amethyst Stone StoriesĪccording to the tale, a drunken and lustful Bacchus pursued virginal Amethyste as she made her way to the temple of Diana for worship. French poet Remy Belleau (1528–1577) made this story come to life in his work. The most popular of the amethyst legends is the tale about Bacchus, the God of wine, Diana the Goddess of the hunt and Amethyste, an innocent, mortal woman. There are many variations of how amethyst came to be. To people interested in spirituality and holistic healing, amethyst is a powerful stone with extraordinary properties. Thomas Sabo has a beautiful selection of statement jewelry at affordable prices, as well as Tiffany & Co and Dior offer a luxurious array of amethyst encrusted pieces. You can now buy it for a reasonable price at jewelers and high street stores. However, in modern times you can find it in abundance. This gave it a superior status over other crystals. It was also an elusive stone which was not easy to come by. In the centuries that followed, amethyst meant wealth and power to many people. In ancient Greece, amethyst was used to stop people from drinking too much and over indulging. In this section this semi-precious gemstone is explored in detail, explaining the meaning, properties and powers of amethyst. The crystal has a lot of depth and is held in high regard by healers and spiritualists around the world.

However, amethyst has a deeper meaning to some people. It is used as centrepieces for shops and also as works of art in the home. This stone is adored aesthetically and is a popular choice for jewelry.

You can find this stone in many places around the world and is generally quite affordable. Amethyst is part of the quartz family and it has a beautiful violet color. In fact, the amethyst meaning comes from Greek mythology and translates to ‘not intoxicated’ from the Greek word ‘ amethystos’.

Amethyst has been in existence since the ancient Greek civilisation and is steeped in legend and folklore.
