The Crystal Blog - Amethyst

AMETHYST

Let’s take a look at Amethyst, it’s constituents and it’s healing benefits.

Amethyst is a variety of quartz and is more widely known in it’s purple / violet colouring. However, did you know that amethyst also has other colour forms? This lovely crystal can be found in several colours.

What is sometimes called green amethyst is in fact green quartz. Some amethyst is black because of the iron content in the crystal. Sometimes amethyst appears as a red crystal and this is usually caused by hematite or iron oxide within the crystal. The purple colour in amethyst is due to natural low-level irradiation. Colour is also affected by other minerals and impurities but the crystal is still a form of quartz.

What is passed as Citrine is quite often heat-treated amethyst. This is an artificial process which changes the natural colour of the crystal so that it resembles the orange colour associated with Citrine. When purchasing Citrine, if it is heat-treated amethyst, then the letters HTA (Heat Treated Amethyst) or HT (Heat Treated) should be seen after the heading or written within the description. However, as amethyst is a healing crystal then heat-treated amethyst still retains it’s healing benefits and is thought to have the additional benefits of Citrine.

Purple and deeply coloured amethyst should not be left for too long in direct sunlight as the colour can bleach and fade.

Amethyst Benefits

Amethyst was popular with ancient civilizations and was used as decorative adornments, also in healing and for protection. Therefore, the beliefs and practices we follow today have been passed down through generations and across many continents.

In our modern world it seems that negativity is extremely prevalent and is easily transferred. It is believed that Amethyst has healing properties that protect a person from these negative energies. As a stone of spiritual protection and purification it is believed to cleanse your energy field of negative influences and attachments.
Being a powerful and protective stone which guards against psychic attack, wearing amethyst next to the skin or carrying one in your pocket should be of great value and comfort.

In today’s world which feels so fast paced and sometimes seems so frantic, these wonderful crystals are believed to promote serenity and calm, which is so important.

It is said that an Amethyst placed in the living room will help to bring balance when there is a group of people in the room and that it will help to calm situations where there is discord, bringing harmony to the situation. This can be enhanced by placing black tourmaline to one side of the amethyst and black obsidian to the other side. The three will support each other in helping to balance situations and dispel negativity.

In healing, an Amethyst tumblestone can be used to help alleviate a headache. By laying down, relaxing and placing the Amethyst tumblestone on your forehead over your brow-chakra, concentrate fully on the crystal. Remove all other thoughts and think only about the crystal on your forehead and how it feels. Usually, after a few minutes it feels as though the crystal is sinking into your forehead or some describe it as a melting feeling. After around 20 – 30 minutes the headache should have eased or possibly gone altogether.

Following the use of a crystal in this way it is important to cleanse the crystal to remove any energies that the crystal may have picked up. Cleansing a crystal can be achieved by several methods. Sound such as Tingsha bells or singing bowls is good at breaking up unwanted energies. Passing the crystal through the smoke and fragrance of incense is good for removing unwanted energies and for recharging the crystal. If washing a crystal always ensure that the crystal has an appropriate hardness on the Mohs scale otherwise it can be damaged by water. Amethyst tumblestones can be submerged in water and safely cleansed this way if you wish.

Like most crystals Amethyst can be placed in moonlight on a windowsill for recharging.