The word amethyst is thought to come from the Greek word amethustos which means not intoxicated. In ancient Greek civilisation, they made wine cups from amethyst, as they believed it would prevent intoxication. Amethyst is still used today by crystal healers to treat addictions.

In Greek legend, Amethyst was created when Diana turned a young woman called Amethyst into a statue of quartz to protect her from the wrath of Dionysius. When Dionysius saw Amethyst in that form, he wept tears of wine over the statue, creating the beautiful purple amethyst colour.

Amethyst is found all over the world, but is particularly prolific in Brazil. It is found in a range of shades of purple, with the deepest purple usually coming from Uruguay. The purple colour is actually produced by a combination of iron and radiation.

Working with amethyst regularly can help you to develop divine understanding and spirituality, as it encourages detachment from worldly concerns. It calms the mind on a long term basis, giving you the space for personal growth. It helps you to stay balanced, even tempered and self disciplined. It can ease anxiety and is helpful for when your emotions are affected by your hormones. Keep a piece under your pillow or next to your bed to help you to sleep.