Today, amethyst is popular and reasonably priced. However, in the past, it was regarded as precious and expensive, limited to those who had the means to purchase it. It adorned high-end jewelry, crowns, and clothing, rivaling rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It wasn’t until the 1800s, with the discovery of vast amethyst deposits in South America, and its sudden abundance, that it became accessible and widely distributed. 

Throughout the world, amethyst has a rich and colorful history, with stories that have stood the test of time. Here are just a few tales that have endured to this day.

Ancient Greece:

The word amethyst comes from the greek word Amethystos, meaning not drunken, and like many things from Ancient Greece, has a myth surrounding it. 

Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry became infatuated with a maiden named Amethystos. Wishing to remain chaste and make a pilgrimage to Artemis’s temple, Amethystos rejected him. Enraged at the rejection, Dionysus sent two tigers after her. Realizing her danger, Artemis turned Amethystos into a pure crystal as protection. Upon seeing what his anger caused, Dionysus cried tears of wine (or wine-colored tears), turning the crystal into purple amethyst. Thus, the ancient Greeks, and Romans, drank from amethyst vessels or dropped amethyst crystals into their wine to remain clear-headed and to prevent drunkenness. 

Ancient Egypt:

In ancient Egypt, amethyst was mined at a place near the Nile, and was believed to ward off negative spirits and ill fortune. Cleopatra was said to have worn and amethyst ring.

Catholicism:

In Catholicism, amethyst was traditionally worn to protect against unholy drunkenness and was thought to represent the suffering of Christ and the wine consumed at mass. Many bishops wear amethyst rings today.

Renaissance:

During the Renaissance it was worn by the nobility as a symbol of status and wealth.