Crystal: Amethyst
Best known for: Protection | Healing | Intuition
Use: Earth is the primary source of some of the most treasured and naturally formed gems in the world. Since antiquity, humans have excavated crystals from the Earth to use decoratively, and to harness the flow of positive energies to improve various aspects of health, wellness and life. Amethysts are said to have many healing benefits and wearing them can bring healing in the following areas:
- Healing of migraines
- Balancing mood swings
- Promoting calm and relaxation
- Emotional healing
- Dispelling anger, rage, fear and anxiety
- Overall healing and cleansing
- Relief from stress
- Healing physical ailments of the nervous system
- Curing of nightmares and insomnia
Science: Chemical composition: SiO2. Moh's hardness: 7.
Amethyst is a naturally occurring mineral made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is the stunning violet and purple varieties of quartz. Natural formation of amethyst requires a number of specific chemical, thermobarometric and physical conditions, usually formed in both extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks (volcanic rocks), but can also be found in metamorphosed rocks, hydrothermal veins, rocks deposited by hot springs, and even some sedimentary rocks.
Geologically, amethyst forms where hot silica-enriched water seeps through and is deposited in a cavity within a rock. Inside, small quantities of ferric iron (Fe³+) that have been exposed to trace amounts of natural gamma radiation, will allow iron to lose an electron and change in colour to purple. If you look closely at amethyst crystals, you can probably see that the tips of the crystal are generally a darker purple than the bases - caused by the iron mix in the water changing as the crystal slowly grows.
Feng Shui:
Wearing or carrying amethyst with you is said to be especially helpful in Feng Shui if you are wanting to connect to your intuition, calm your mind, or balance your emotions.