February’s birthstone is the beautiful Amethyst. This purple gemstone has a long history of use in jewelry and other decorative items. It also has a number of purported healing properties. If you’re interested in adding an amethyst piece to your collection or are just curious about what this gemstone is all about, read on!
What Is Amethyst Stone?
Amethyst is a strong and durable gemstone, measuring 7 on the Mohs scale. In its natural state, Amethyst often forms in long prismatic crystals, making it ideal for cutting into jewelry.
What is the natural color of Amethyst?
Amethyst is naturally purple in color, ranging from light lavender to deep purple. The deeper the color of an amethyst stone, the more valuable it is typically considered to be. Amethysts may also have hints of blue or red tones, though these are less common.
Amethyst Physical Properties
The physical properties of Amethyst are nearly indistinguishable from other color varieties of quartz.
1. Composition: Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
2. Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
3. Specific Gravity: 2.65
4. Refractive Index: 1.544-1.553
5. Thermal Conductivity: 1.4
6. Cleavage: poor
7. Fracture: conchoidal
8. Luster: vitreous
9. Streak: white
10. Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Metaphysical Healing Properties Of Amethyst
Amethyst is said to have various metaphysical healing abilities, some of which are:
Protection
Amethyst is said to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual protection and help protect against negative influences.
Humility
This gemstone is thought to help bring humility and a sense of inner peace.
Spirituality
Spiritual Wisdom
Amethyst is said to help improve one’s spiritual awareness, as well as enhance intuition.
Stress Relief
Amethyst is also believed to help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as aid in relaxation.
How To Use Amythyst?
Amethyst can be used in a variety of ways, including:
Jewelry
Amethyst is often set in jewelry pieces like rings, necklaces, and earrings. Additionally, many people wear Amethyst as beads or pendants.
Home Decor
Amethysts are often used to decorate homes and offices with its vibrant color.
Meditation
Amethyst can be used as a tool to help focus the mind during meditation practices.
Healing
Amethyst is said to have powerful healing properties, and many people use it in crystal healing or Reiki practices.
Emotional Wellness
Many people also use amethyst stones as an aid for emotional wellness, as they believe it can help promote feelings of peace and balance.
How To Cleanse Amethyst?
When working with Amethyst, it is important to cleanse the stone regularly. This will help maintain its healing properties and keep it free from any negative energies that may be present.
There are a few different methods for cleansing amethyst:
Smudging
Place the stone in a sage smudge and allow the smoke to cleanse it.
Moonlight
Place the stone on a windowsill or outside during the night, allowing it to be cleansed by moonlight.
Visualization
Use your intention and visualize a white light pouring over the Amethyst, cleansing it of any negative energy.
Water
Gently rinse the stone under running water and visualize any negative energies being washed away.
Salt
Place the stone in a bowl of salt for several hours to cleanse it.
Brown rice
Place the stone in a bowl of brown rice for several hours to cleanse it. The rice will absorb any negative energies from the stone.
Natural light
Place the stone in direct sunlight or moonlight for several hours to allow the light to cleanse it.
Sage
Place the stone in a Sage bundle and allow the smoke to cleanse it.
Using a larger stone
Place the Amethyst in a larger stone and allow it to be cleansed from the energy of the other stone.
Using smaller stones
Place the Amethyst in a smaller stone and allow it to be cleansed from the energy of the other stones.
Breath
Place your hands over the Amethyst and use your breath to cleanse it. Visualize cleansing energy entering the stone with each breath.
Sound
Chant or play a tuning fork near the stone to clear its energy field.
The Magical Powers Of Amethyst
Amethyst’s magical powers are associated with protection, healing, and spiritual guidance. It is believed to be a powerful protector against negative energies, and it is said that the stone can help us open our intuition and inner understanding.
Protection
Amethyst is believed to be a powerful protector against negative energies and spirits. Its spiritual properties are said to help us open our intuition and inner understanding.
Healing
Many believe that this stone can reduce stress, anxiety, fear, and worry. It is also thought to aid in healing physical ailments such as headaches, skin problems, heart disease, and digestive issues.
Spiritual Guidance
Amethyst is said to be a powerful tool for spiritual guidance and insight. It can help us connect with our higher self and better understand the spiritual world. Many believe it can also open up pathways to psychic abilities such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition.
Where To Put It?
When using an amethyst stone for its spiritual, healing, and protective properties, it is important to choose the right place to put the stone. Amethyst is best placed in areas needing protection or healing, such as near a bed or windows and doorways. It can also be worn as jewelry or carried with you during times of difficulty or stress.
Amethyst can also be placed in areas of the home or office where you wish to create a calming atmosphere, such as a meditation corner or near places where you spend a lot of time like your desk. It is also beneficial to place it in living spaces to help bring balance and harmony into the home. However, always be sure to cleanse your Amethyst in between uses.
Other Amethyst Varieties
In addition to the traditional Amethyst, several varieties of this stone may be used for their magical and healing properties. These include:
Purple Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple-colored variety of quartz that owes its color to either irradiation, impurities of iron, or other transition metals. Amethysts with different colors can also be found; these owe their hues to varying combinations of trace elements present in the crystal lattice.
Ametrine Amethyst
Ametrine is a stone that is made from both Amethyst and citrine. Amethyst is a type of quartz that contains manganese, which gives it its purple color. Citrine is a type of quartz that contains iron, which gives it its golden-yellow color.
Pink Amethyst
Pink amethysts are said to help heal the heart and emotions. They can be used to bring gentleness, love, understanding, and peace into one’s life. It is also believed that pink Amethyst helps strengthen intuition and spiritual communication.
Mossy Amethyst
Mossy Amethyst is a beautiful variety of quartz that is found in the form of clusters. It contains green and white inclusions, which resemble patches of moss. Mossy Amethyst is said to be helpful for grounding and connecting with nature.
Cape Amethyst
Cape amethyst is a variety of quartz that has beautiful shades of blue and purple. It is believed to be a powerful stone for healing emotional issues, helping us to release old patterns and negative thoughts. Cape amethyst is also said to bring clarity, focus, and strength.
Prasiolite Amethyst
Prasiolite is a variety of quartz that has a distinctly green hue. It is said to help bring inner peace and clear the mind of negative thoughts. Prasiolite can also help us focus on our intuition and access knowledge from the spiritual realm.
FAQs
What are the benefits of Amethyst?
Amethyst is known as “the all-purpose stone” for a reason: not only does it help protect you from stress and anxiety, but it also helps with headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, it supports cell regeneration (which means healthy bones and joints) and purportedly gives your skin a healthier look.
Is Amethyst a crystal or a gemstone?
Relatively speaking, Amethyst is a hard gemstone. This means it is safe to wear on a daily basis without fear of scratching or fading.
Why shouldn’t you wear Amethyst every day?
Relatively speaking, Amethyst is a hard gemstone. This means it is safe to wear on a daily basis without fear of scratching or fading.
Conclusion
If you’re lucky enough to have February as your birth month, then you get to enjoy the beauty of Amethyst. This stone has been treasured for centuries not only for its physical properties but also for its metaphysical healing properties. Amethyst can help with everything from anxiety and addiction to grief and headaches. So if you’re looking for a beautiful and unique gift for someone special or just want to treat yourself, consider picking up an amethyst stone.