By Chelsea Reed
You probably know that amethyst is the official birthstone for the month of February. Its endearing violet hues make it a natural choice for the month of love! But do you know these obscure facts about the popular gemstone? Test your knowledge and find out!
According to inscriptions at an ancient Egyptian amethyst mine, archeologists think that royal guards might have protected such mines from intruders. Another theory suggests they supervised the miners, who took great pride in their work. Pharaohs personally requested royal craftsmen to make amethyst jewelry from such mines to adorn their families with!
Royalty loved amethyst in England, too. It was a favorite gemstone for King Edward VII’s wife to wear. In medieval England, only nobility, knights, and the royal family were allowed to wear amethyst jewelry. It was against the law for everyone else! A large amethyst stone is set in the British Crown Jewels today.
Amethysts were no longer exclusive to royalty when vast deposits of the stone were discovered in the 19th century by settlers in Brazil. Miners discovered more amethyst in Mexico, Canada, and Siberia.The secret was out! Suddenly, amethysts became widespread in the global market. But that didn’t change amethyst’s purple beauty. Modern European royals continue to enjoy wearing the stone today.
Amethyst is mined in the United States, too. In 1993, a long nine-foot cavern filled with amethyst deposits was discovered in Maine. This February stone is also mined in Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina today.
Did you know that amethyst and citrine are nearly identical? That’s because they’re both from the quartz gem family. Not only that, they are practically gemstone twins. Citrine is what happens when amethyst is heated 825 degrees fahrenheit underground before it cools. The higher volcanic heat gives citrine its yellow color when it cures!
Amethyst may be more common today, but that won’t stop people from admiring its graceful violet colors! Check out Seaside Art Gallery’s authentic amethyst estate jewelry, and much more. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season of love.
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes winning content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina. She might not be building sandcastles or swashbuckling with pirates these days, but the Outer Banks beaches continue to keep her young at heart.
