A history of gem stone amethyst

The name of amethyst arises from Greek word "amethóstos" meaning "not drunken". According to a Greek myth, there was a nymph named Amethyst who fell in love with young shepherd Sirikos, and was liked by wine god Dionysus. Being rejected by this beautiful nymph Dionysus wanted to take advantage of the beauty, but goddess Artemis turned Amethyst into quartz to protect her. Later Dionysus felt remorse and poured a cup with vine on amethyst turning it into violet amethyst.
Romans have a different myth about amethyst. Bacchus, a wine-growing god, while being drunken, became angry with people because of their supposedly disrespectful treatment towards him. Then he vowed that the first person whom he comes across would be torn to pieces by fierce tigers. It turned out that nymph Amethysta came across Bacchus first. She was going to Diana goddess's temple to worship. While rescuing herself from bloodthirsty animals Amethysta cried for help to Diana. Diana turned her into clear transparent crystal. Being conscience-stricken Bacchus said that "wine revives everóone" and started pouring the stone with red wine. But Amethysta didn't revive, but became a precious amethyst. Therefore, the name of amethyst expresses the popular belief of the ancients that amethyst preserves its owner from hard drinking. Besides, a legend existed saying that drinking from amethyst goblet preserves from any poisoning.
Other scientists count that amethyst arises from ancient Greek "a metistoz" meaning "not drunken" and is interpreted as "ðreserving, keeping from hard drinking" and even as "strong during the feast". Third researchers suppose that the terms come from Hebrew "ahlama" or Assyrian "aalgamishu" and Arabic "djalmast". The precious gem amethyst is known from ancient times. It is referred to long ago by Ancient Egypt sources.
In Ancient Rome amethyst was named a "blessed gem" and was considered to bring pacification, success, calm nerves and resists to quarrels. The name "amethóst" itself arises because Greeks believed that this gem can preserve its owner from hard drinking. In Middle Ages amethyst was named an "aðostolic stone".
Chinese masters cut out bottles and small boxes out of light colored amethysts.
In Ancient Rome and Greece amethyst was cut out to gems, signets and small articles. In Middle Ages amethyst was highly appreciated on the East and in Europe, where it was considered a preferable decoration of articles of books of church songs and priests' clothing. During the ordination to a cardinal office the consecrated was given a ring with amethyst. In the Christian symbolism amethyst means modesty and humility.
Therefore, in catholic countries this stone was called episcopal. Amethyst was used to decorate icons, altars, pectoral crosses and panagias.
The ancients also named amethyst a widow stone because it symbolized eternity.
If one of the spouses outlived another then he or she started bearing amethyst in his or her ring as a symbol of invariable love to departed spouse.
In Middle Ages violet stone was a necessary decoration of rich noblemen and up to XVII century it was not worse by its value than cut diamond. It served as a sign of membership of princes of Catholic Church, who were given a ring with amethyst by Pope during ordination to office. At these times amethysts were popular decorations of religious cult.
For ordinary secular decorations this precious stone started to being used widely in Europe since XVIII century. It was used for making necklaces, brooches, beads, bracelets, inserts into rings, earring and cuff links. Beautifully colored violet-red and violet pieces are valued high and used in costly jewelry decorations together with cut diamonds and emeralds.
Few years ago ladies preferred to wear violet colored dresses and therefore amethyst was a success because it perfectly matched the color of their dresses. But the changes in fashion caused the rejection of this stone.