Amethyst 3X5mm Faceted Tear Drops (Calibrated)

Purple quartz with an old story

On the strand, amethyst settles into medium to dark purple, bead after bead. Tip it to a window and a red or blue flash shows. The color reads from across the room and still feels easy up close. Small faceted rondelles make tight, even lines. Pears and hearts throw a clean sparkle in earrings. Dark African material looks almost inky indoors, then opens in bright light.

In crystal tradition, amethyst is the sobriety stone. The name comes from the Greek amethystos, "not drunk." Legends tie it to Dionysus, called Bacchus by the Romans, and people long said it kept the mind clear and quick in battle and in business. Greeks wore it and carved drinking vessels, saying it would ward off drunkenness. It is also the birthstone for February, and by custom the gem for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. One old note says the patron of romantic love wore an amethyst ring carved with Cupid.

Beliefs about stones are tradition, not advice. Read the full story.