Amethyst

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Amethyst (Quatrz) Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac, or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkenness, and to instil a sober and serious mind. Amethyst is dichronic, showing a bluish or reddish purple tinge when viewed from different angles. Usually faceted as a mixed- or step-cut, amethyst has distinctive inclusions which look like tiger-stripes, thumb-prints, or feathers. Some amethyst is heat-treated to change the colour to yellow, producing citrine. Crystals thet are part citrine and part amethyst are called ametrine.

Occurence Amethyst is found inalluvial deposits or in geodes. Some of the largest geodes containing amethyst are in Brazil. Amethyst from Urals has a reddish tinge. Canadian amethyst is violet. Other localities include Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagaskar, the USA, Germany, Australia, Namibia and Vietnam.