Brazilian AA banded amethyst pendant (tumbled stone)

Tumbled banded amethyst stone of approximately 30-40mm pierced by a steel bail.
Sold individually.
Shapes, colors, and patterns can vary from one stone to another.

For thousands of years, amethyst has been widely used in jewelry making. This stone pairs beautifully with gold. In fact, for many years, amethyst was valued as highly as diamonds. Then, a vast quantity of amethyst was discovered in South America, which significantly reduced its value.

In ancient Egypt, this stone was used to carve seals and amulets. Soldiers wore them to ward off fear. It was also believed to have the power to bring rain during droughts.
But the name of this gemstone is of Greek origin. Methystos means intoxication, and the prefix "a" indicates suppression. Amethyst is therefore associated with sobriety. Several legends recount the origin of amethyst, but the best known are those of Amethystos.

In Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, is a god renowned for his excess and madness. One day, he fell madly in love with Amethystos, a young nymph. He desired her intensely and began to court her. But Amethystos wished to remain chaste and refused Dionysus's advances. Amethystos turned to Artemis, goddess of the hunt, for help. Artemis decided to protect her and transformed her into a statue of white crystal. Mad with rage and humiliation, Dionysus threw wine on the precious statue, and it began to take on a deep, pure purple hue.
Another version of this legend tells that Dionysus, after suffering several humiliations at the hands of humans, decided to take revenge. He unleashed tigers upon them. The first tiger he encountered was Amethystos, a beautiful and gentle young woman. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, then transformed her into a statue of white quartz to protect her from Dionysus's wrath. Regretting his outburst of violence, Dionysus poured wine over the statue as an offering. The statue then took on a magnificent purple hue.

In Christianity, amethyst symbolized purity and humility, as Joseph had given one to Mary. This stone also represents love. Indeed, Saint Valentine, the priest who established the celebration of lovers, always wore a magnificent amethyst around his neck. Among Christians, amethyst also symbolizes fidelity. In fact, the bishops of the Vatican all wear a ring with an amethyst, signifying their devotion to the Church.

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci used it to suppress negative thoughts and boost his creative intelligence. He noted this use of amethyst in one of his precious notebooks.
In the past, nobles used amethyst goblets to ward off poisoning attempts at banquets. Sometimes, wine was poured into amethyst cups. This intensified the wine's color and allowed guests to gradually replace it with water as they became intoxicated. This explains why amethyst is reputed to combat drunkenness.

The main deposits are located in Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Malawi, Madagascar, Australia or Zambia.

In crystal healing, amethyst is renowned for its calming qualities, stimulating positive energies. These days, stress, anxiety, and fear are commonly felt emotions. To combat their negative effects, wearing amethyst helps to calm the mind. It provides positive energy and fosters creativity, imagination, and concentration.

Another quality of amethyst is its ability to ease the pain of losing a loved one, whether through death or simply a breakup. It helps one accept separation and provides the strength needed to move forward in life. It calms anger and sadness.

For people experiencing intense sadness or prone to endlessly dwelling on the same thoughts, this stone brings calm to their mind and stops all these negative ideas.

Amethyst is ideal for meditation and promotes greater open-mindedness. It encourages restful sleep, enhances dreams and intuition, and fosters positive energy. It is a suitable stone for those who need to make important decisions, negotiate, or speak in public. It is also ideal for developing creativity and inventiveness.

It is also recognized for its benefits for people suffering from addictions such as alcoholism and smoking. It provides courage and strength to detoxify from these harmful substances.