Imagine you are a geologist, exploring a new site to collect specimens from. You have noticed lots of promising looking rocks, which you think might just be geodes. The question is, what could be inside? Will they be spectacular crystal kingdoms, or something a little less exciting? You take a few samples of the rocks, and cut them open later to discover spectacular clusters of purple – amethyst. Such a beautiful crystal, you know you will have to go back for more.
When I showed the children this large piece of amethyst, they were quite intrigued. The children have seen single amethyst points before and are quite familiar with the deep purple hues of the stone, but they had not seen so many growing together. They were interested to see amethyst in what they saw as ‘it’s natural habitat’, and thought it was very beautiful.
Amethyst is not an uncommon gemstone, and is often to be found growing inside geodes (or thunder eggs as some children call them). However, although it is relatively common, it has always been highly prized. As far back as the Egyptian civilisation, amethyst was used as a gemstone for jewellery making, and it was often used by other ancient kingdoms too. Many shaped the stone and then carefully engraved the surface to make what are known as engraved intaglios. The variable colour and intensity of the stone made it very attractive, with some amethysts being a deep purple, while some are more subtle and paler.
It wasn’t just the beauty of the stone which was attractive though. The Greeks believed that amethyst gemstones could prevent people from becoming intoxicated and there were beautifully carved amethyst goblets which were created in the hopes the stone would indeed protect the drinker. In fact, the word amethyst comes from the greek amethystos, which translates to ‘not drunk’. The Greeks weren’t the only ones to see amethyst as a special stone though. In medieval Europe amethyst was worn by soldiers who were going into battle. They thought amethyst had healing powers and would protect them and keep them calm and cool headed. Bishops often also wear a ring which is set with beautifully coloured amethyst – which is used to allude to the Apostles who were described as not being drunk at Pentecost.