What is amethyst?
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. Its color comes from traces of iron in the crystal, activated by natural radiation in the earth. Its name comes from the Greek amethystos, “not intoxicated”: the ancient Greeks believed it protected the wearer from drunkenness, and medieval soldiers carried it as a protective amulet.
| Amethyst | |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Purple quartz (silicon dioxide) |
| Color | Purple |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 |
| Found in | Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Zambia and Canada |
| Chakra | crown chakra, third eye chakra |
| Birthstone | February |
| Known for | Calm, sleep, intuition and spiritual protection |
Amethyst meaning
In crystal practice, amethyst is the stone of calm. People turn to it to quiet an overactive mind, for deeper sleep and more vivid dreams, and to strengthen intuition. Its link to sobriety goes back to its name, so it's also kept as a reminder to break habits that no longer serve you.
How to use amethyst
- Under your pillow or on your nightstand for calmer sleep
- Held in your hand during meditation
- Worn as jewelry for a steady sense of calm
- Placed on the forehead (third eye) while lying down
Amethyst and the crown chakra
Amethyst is most often paired with the crown chakra and the third eye chakra. For a simple chakra meditation, hold it or rest it on that spot and play 963 Hz, the tone paired with that chakra, using the session above.
How to cleanse and care for amethyst
People cleanse crystals to clear the energy they've collected. Common ways are leaving amethyst under the full moon overnight, passing it through sage smoke, resting it on a bed of salt or near a larger quartz cluster, or playing a singing bowl beside it (try our sound bath).
Keep amethyst out of strong, direct sunlight for long periods: its purple can fade with too much light. Heat can also turn it yellow-brown.
How to tell if amethyst is real
Real amethyst is rarely one even shade: look for natural color zoning, slightly lighter and darker bands. Very cheap, perfectly uniform, bubble-filled purple pieces are often glass.
Amethyst affirmations
- I am calm and clear.
- My mind is quiet and at peace.
- I trust my intuition.
- I sleep deeply and wake renewed.
- I release what no longer serves me.
- I am protected and at ease.
