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The
history of Amethyst. Historical, religious and cultural references to
Amethyst from ancient societies to the New Age movement with
descriptions of its use in jewelry and ceremonial items
This
section of JewelrySupplier.com is intended to uncover references in
history to gems, gemstones, minerals, crystals, precious metals and
semi-precious stones and to investigate the role they played in the
development of the cultures in which they were utilized. We believe
examples of royal jewelry and ancient jewelry from anthropology,
sociology and archaeology from the ancient societies of Egypt,
Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and especially the work of Pre-Columbian
American cultures of the North American Indians, Aztecs, Mayans, and
Incans to be of craftsmanship that has not been equaled since. Where
possible in our history of jewelry, we’ve tried to include methods of
manufacture, materials and technology. From the bible, commerce,
celestial beliefs to modern crystal collecting.
Throughout
history, amethyst's importance has been recognized in several disperse
countries around the world. The earliest recognition of amethyst, and
the source of the origin of it's name comes from ancient Greece. The
word "amethyst" is of Greek origin and is translated as-
"amethystus" meaning not drunken, or intoxicated ("-methystos"
from "methyein" or intoxicated, "methy" = wine).
Amethyst has been used to adorn the possessions of rich and powerful
monarchs. Rare amethysts make up some of the stones that help decorate
the British Crown Jewels. They are said to be a personal favorite of
Catherine the Great. During the Middle Ages, the stone symbolized piety
and celebacy for clergy and therefore adorned the rings and other
jewelry of Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests of the Catholic Church. It
can be traced back as far as it's findings within the remains of
Neolithic man.
Amethyst
and Ancient Greek History
Ancient Greeks maintained that
amethyst held many beneficial powers. Among the most important of these
is it's ability to protect from drunkenness. Wearers of amethyst
jewelry, such as necklaces and rings, or drinking from a cup fashioned
from amethyst seemed to be immune to becoming intoxicated. The origin of
amethyst is also related to Greek Mythology in a parable about the god
Dionysus and the goddess Dianna (see Amethyst Mythology).
Amethyst
and Egyptian History
Besides being a gem
representative of great Egyptian rulers, one with which their mummies
were entombed with, amethyst also played a strong role in the history of
Egyptian commerce. In early Egyptian history the royalty was at the
point of becoming so wealthy that they began funding much of the foreign
ventures to surrounding regions. The surplus of capital within the
central government allowed for the filtration of royal gifts and grants
to middle class and farming families. Evidence of this type of
generosity is evident in lower and middle class cemeteries with
findings of gold jewelry and fine amethyst necklaces buried within their
tombs. The amethyst had come from a time when amethyst quarries near
Aswan were exploited.
Biblical
History of Amethyst
Part of the history of amethyst
comes from the naming of biblically significant stones. In the Old
Testament and around the middle and late 1300 (B.C.) twelve stones had
been chosen to be representative of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Exodus
28: 17-21) Among these stones amethyst was chosen as the gem
representing the tribe of Dan one of the sons of Joseph. Amethyst is
also mentioned as one of the twelve stones adorning the breastplate of
the high priest Aaron. (Exodus 39). Notice the tendency towards the
number twelve. This became the first association of a particular
semi-precious gem with each month that had been recorded. The original
breastplate of the High Priest was said to be made by Moses in mid 1200
(B.C.) according to divinely inspired instructions he received during
forty days in the wilderness.
Amethyst
and the Renaissance
During the Renaissance amethyst, became a symbol of great humility
and modesty. The color represented a unification to influences. The
purple amethyst decor of the Inquisition signified the joining of the
spirit, represented by blue, with the body, represented by red. Not only
was the stone used in jewelry of the time, it was also used to adorn
crosses and carried by the people.
Latin
American History: The Psychic Phenomenon of the Amethyst Skull
In more recent times, amethyst
believed to have great psychic powers has been discovered among ancient
ruins in Mexico, Central and South America. They are fashioned in the
shape and scale of a human skull, the most popular has been named as one
from a group of thirteen Crystal Skulls found throughout the world.
There is a great deal of unexplained phenomenon occurring around this
and the other Crystal Skulls. The Amethyst Skull, as it has been named,
was discovered in the early 1900's in Guatemala, Mexico and was brought
to San Jose, California (U.S.A) in 1982 by a Mayan priest along with
another skull called the Mayan Crystal Skull. Both skulls were taken to
Hewlett Packard for research. The findings were astonishing. The skulls,
sculpted from crystal quartz (amethyst and clear), was found to be
carved and shaped against the natural axis (or "grain") of the
crystal. Not only is this feat nearly impossible, it is completely
unheard of for tools and skills developed in the time from which they
are said to have come. A wrong cut could easily shatter amethyst and
quartz of this type. On a psychic level, the Amethyst and Crystal skull
are said to possess many powers. Psychics or Sensitives, those who are
able to feel and read emitions of psychic energy, have found the skulls
to emit a very unusual vibration or energy. These Sensitives have
reported that the skulls, when gazed upon, emit a video-like image of
the ancient past. Amethyst and other crystals are known for being stones
of great healing and ethereal awareness. Explanation for this phenomena
is accredited to and can be explained by modern use of quartz today in
electronics. Both computer and video industries have utilized the
amplification and consistent resonance ability of quartz in the
fabrication and upgrading of their products. It is believed that the
same can occur with the human body's energy and the aide of amethyst and
other power crystals. They explain that living things have emitted
electromagnetic energy that has been recorded onto theses skulls.
Although there is no specified method for dating artifacts constructed
purely of quartz, they have been found among the remains of tombs and
ruins dating as far back as ninth and tenth century. If the skulls were
hoaxes, which they probably are, the tenacity with which New Age
followers hold on to the validity of the skulls are nonetheless
interesting testaments to the strength of their convictions.
Amethyst
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