Amethyst is a stone of healing, peace, and sleep. One of the most popular and readily available crystals, it is a purple variety of Quartz that is considered a "master healer" and the birthstone for February. It has been used for thousands of years, traced as far back as ancient Greece where it was believed to have sobering effects, being carved into or placed into cups to protect from intoxication and even getting its name from the Greek word "amethystos" which means "not intoxicated"[7]. It was also once considered a rarer precious stone, along Diamond, Ruby, and Emerald [6].
Just as popular as Rose Quartz, its sister variety of Quartz, Amethyst can be found all over the world, including Australia, Canada, Namibia, Siberia, Sri Lanka, and the USA, although it is mainly found in Latin America, especially Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay.
Appearance of Amethyst
Chemical Formula: SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
Crystal System: Trigonal
Mohs Hardness: 7
Colors: Purple, Deep Purple, Royal Purple, Periwinkle, Lavendar, Lilac
Amethyst is known for its distinctive purple color, coming from gamma irradiation of its trace amounts of iron. Because of the iron, some pieces may have reddish hues, although for the most part Amethyst is a glassy, translucent purple, sometimes with spots of more or less saturation (ranging from deep purple to almost clear or white).
NOTE: Amethyst is fairly durable, being safe under water [6] and its color should be safe from fading as long as it is not overly exposed to water and sunlight [5]. However, be aware that heat-treated Amethyst can turn yellow and is commonly sold as Citrine [6][8]. Scroll down to learn more about heat-treated Amethyst.
Healing Properties of Amethyst
Chakras: Third Eye, Crown
Numbers: 3
Elements: Air, Water
Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune
Zodiacs: Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces
Healing, Peace, Psychic Ability, Purification, Sobriety, Spiritual Awareness, Stress Relief, Wisdom
Spiritually, Amethyst is another protective crystal. It can turn negative energy into peace and love, guarding from psychic attacks. It can also strengthen intuition, spiritual awareness, and psychic and mental abilities to improve meditation, visualization, and understanding of dreams.
Emotionally and mentally, Amethyst has graceful, serene energy to be a natural tranquilizer and mood balancer. It can ease stress, irritability, grief, and insomnia, helping to calm the mind, strengthen trust, and improve restful sleep and vivid dreaming. Amethyst can also gently stimulate the mind by enhancing memory and imagination.
Physically, Amethyst is a master healer. It is mainly known for encouraging sobriety from alcohol, drugs, and addiction, but it can also generally relieve physical pain and stress, especially headaches, tension, bruising, and swelling. It can also purify the body of toxins and boost hormone production, metabolism, and immune systems.
Varieties of Amethyst
Ametrine
Ametrine, a stone of tranquility and harmony, is actually a combination of two different types of Quartz: Amethyst and Citrine. It combines Amethyst's peaceful, purifying energy with Citrine's creative, joyful energy to balance and strengthen the mind, body, and soul. It rejuvenates motivation, enhances focus, sparks imagination, and brings an air of optimism to help your dreams and desires become reality [2].
Chevron Amethyst (Dog Tooth Amethyst)
Chevron Amethyst, also called Dog Tooth Amethyst, is a formation of Amethyst and White Quartz in a banded or V-shaped pattern. A stronger variety of Amethyst, it has the same healing properties but with more powerful energies and vibrations and is especially good at opening communication with your higher self. It attunes you to your own higher conscious, helping to understand images and messages in your dreams and guiding you on a life path to being the person you want to be and living the life that best suits you [9].
Green Amethyst (Prasiolite)
Prasiolite, also known as Green Amethyst, is a rare sage green variety of Quartz that is almost exclusively from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, however, most of it in the market is actually another form of heat-treated Amethyst, similar to Citrine. Natural Prasiolite and heat-treated Green Amethyst are still the same thing, they are just formed through different processes. Both are stones of amplified and transformative energy that reflect Earth's energy to rejuvenate and restart motivation. They can also give time and space to reflect on emotions and lingering pain, freeing the mind from things that block personal growth, self-appreciation, and love for yourself, life, and others [10].
Vera Cruz Amethyst
Vera Cruz Amethyst is a lilac or lavender-colored Amethyst that exclusively comes from Vera Cruz, Mexico. It is distinct from other Amethyst as it usually grows as laser-like crystals and has a distinguishable light pinkish, purple hue. While Amethyst is generally soothing and enhances psychic abilities, Vera Cruz Amethyst is the best for meditation and connecting with angels, spirit guides, and your higher self. It can immediately produce a “Beta” state during meditation and help those struggling to achieve a deep meditation. Vera Cruz Amethyst is also used for the heart chakra to support universal love and self-love [11].
Similar Stones
Fluorite vs Amethyst
Fluorite (calcium fluoride) is a halide mineral that can appear in many colors, such as yellow, green, blue, and purple, commonly in stripes of multiple colors, unlike Amethyst that is a Quartz that only comes in purple. At first glance, Fluorite and Amethyst can be indistinguishable, however they are very distinct. Besides their chemical make-up, their crystal formation is different, with Fluorite forming cubic or octagonal crystals and Amethyst forming six-sided hexagonal crystals. Fluorite is also much softer, being a 4 on the Mohs scale that can be scratched with a steel knife, versus Amethyst that is a 7 and cannot. Lastly, Fluorite will eventually dissolve in water and often (but not always) glows under ultraviolet light, whereas Amethyst should not dissolve or glow [6].
Both crystals' metaphysical properties are a bit similar with bringing peace and enhancing mental abilities, however their focuses differ. While Fluorite focuses more on mental abilities while awake for analysis and intellect, Amethyst focuses more on mental abilities while asleep or meditating for dreams and intuition. Purple Fluorite, however, can also enhance spiritual awareness just like Amethyst.
Citrine vs Heat-Treated Amethyst
Citrine is another popular variety of Quartz however natural Citrine is hard to come by. Because of this, most Citrine is actually heat-treated Amethyst [6][8]. Some argue that heat-treating crystals is just speeding up natural processes, so it only really matters if you prefer knowing it's naturally formed and don't mind the larger cost.
On a metaphysical and chemical level, the difference is not big as the properties are still the same. Both natural Citrine and Citrine made from heat-treated Amethyst are stones of abundance and success. They can help materialize manifestations and wealth and stimulate joy, positive self-esteem, and passion to overcome doubt or pessimism. They can also increase energy and focus to help you work towards your goals and inspire imagination and creative decision making.
NOTE: We do not condone crystals and/or minerals as a replacement for medical attention or professional help, as healing properties of crystals have not been 100% proven by science. If you are concerned about your health, please seek professional medical attention. Moreover, do not consume or place crystals and/or minerals inside of your body without professional consultation, as this can be dangerous.
See Also
Written by Mari Rivera, August 18, 2022 - Updated March 31, 2023 Credits: [1] Caryl. "Amethyst Healing Properties". Charms of Light, 2005 - 2022, https://www.charmsoflight.com/amethyst-healing-properties. [2] Chee, Chermaine. "Ametrine: Meaning, Healing Properties & Uses Of This Unique Stone". Truly, Truly Experiences, 8 November 2021, https://trulyexperiences.com/blog/ametrine/. [3] Desy, Phylameana lila. "How to Use Amethyst Crystals for Healing." Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 9 May 2019, learnreligions.com/healing-properties-of-amethyst-1724561. [4] Hall, Judy. "The Encyclopedia of Crystals". Godsfield Press, Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, 2013. Print. [5] Oliver, Rae. "Amethyst Crystals – Meaning, Properties & Benefits Of The Purple Stone". Truly, Truly Experiences, 4 July 2022, https://trulyexperiences.com/blog/amethyst/. [6] Rock Seeker. "Fluorite vs Amethyst (How To Tell Them Apart)". Rock Seeker, RockSeeker.com, 2022, https://www.rockseeker.com/fluorite-vs-amethyst/. [7] Selenophile. "The Magic of Amethyst: The Sobriety Stone • Amethyst Metaphysical Properties and Meaning". Elune Blue, 27 September 2016, https://eluneblue.com/amethyst-meaning/[8] "Amethyst". Crystal Council LLC, 2018 - 2022, https://thecrystalcouncil.com/crystals/amethyst. [9] "Chevron Amethyst". Crystal Council LLC, 2018 - 2022, https://thecrystalcouncil.com/crystals/chevron-amethyst. [10] "Prasiolite (Green Amethyst)". Crystal Council LLC, 2018 - 2022, https://thecrystalcouncil.com/crystals/prasiolite-green-amethyst. [11] "Vera Cruz Amethyst". Healing Crystals, Healing Crystals Inc., 13 March 2013, https://www.healingcrystals.com/Vera_Cruz_Amethyst_Articles_18.html.