Amethyst, the purple variety of quartz, is actually the most treasured and wanted member of the quartz family. Though amethyst only comes in purple tones, there is indeed a lovely variety of purples to choose from. The stone is available in shades from very deep purples to light lilac varieties.

It is believed that amethyst was used in past decades to guard the wearer against drunkenness and to help the wearer overcome addictions. It has also been used throughout history in many cultures to treat headaches and other aches and pains, as well as to treat hearing disorders and insomnia. Today it is mostly adored for it’s beauty and used often in fine jewelry.

Like sapphires, most commercially available amethyst stones are heat treated to display a deeper coloring. Heat treated coloring is a permanent change to the stone so the coloring will not fade over time.