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Amethyst

Purple variety of quartz valued as a gemstone.

Amethysts

A purple variety of quartz, amethyst is valued as a gemstone and used in jewelry. Its color ranges from pale lilac to deep violet, caused by trace amounts of iron and irradiation within the crystal structure.

Pronunciation

/ˈæmɪθɪst/

Etymology

Amethyst derives from Greek 'amethystos' meaning 'non-intoxicated'.

Explain Like I’m 5

Amethyst is a purple rock, like quartz, that people love to use in jewelry and decorations.

Fun Facts

The name 'amethyst' comes from Greek, meaning 'non-intoxicated'
Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness
Amethyst's color comes from iron impurities in the quartz
It is the birthstone for February

FAQ

What is amethyst? A purple variety of quartz
Where does it come from? Mines around the world, including Brazil and Zambia
Is amethyst expensive? It varies
high-quality stones can be valuable

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

quartz gemstone

Indexes

gemstone mineral natural object

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