Legends About Amethyst: The Gem of Sobriety

February 20, 2023

By Katerina Perez

15 min read

Amethyst (from the Greek “amethystos”, meaning “not drunken”) is widely known for its ability to prevent intoxication. Is that something you’ve heard before? Do you know where it comes from? I shall tell you and share some of my favourite amethyst jewellery designs for good measure…

Long ago, in Ancient Greece, wine was not quite like what we drink today; it was very thick, syrupy and strong. To ensure it would keep for longer, a kind of pin resin known as turpentine was added to it. However, the Greeks didn’t understand that this cocktail could cause drunkenness in minutes. The ethical norms of that time stipulated that being drunk was shameful behaviour, so to solve this problem, wine was diluted with water. The violet shade of amethyst was used as an indicator of the optimal concentration: diluted wine is paler, similar to the colour of purple quartz and, correspondingly, less intoxicating.

Model wearing gold, amethyst and diamond earrings and ring by Palmiero Jewellery Design

Model wearing gold, amethyst and diamond earrings and ring by Palmiero Jewellery Design

There is another legend associated with amethysts and sobriety. This story also comes from Ancient Greece, alleging that Artemis, the goddess of hunting, saved a nymph, Amethystos, from the advances of Dionysus, the god of wine. He was in love with Amethystos, but she refused him because she was enamoured with Sirikos, a handsome shepherd and musician.

In his anger, Dionysus pursued Amethystos and decided to overcome her by force. To save herself, the nymph started to call for Artemis, the protector of innocence. The goddess came to help and had already prepared her bow to fire arrows at Dionysus, but then she remembered that Zeus did not tolerate such disputes on Olympus. So as not to anger the god of thunder, Artemis contrived to turn the nymph into a crystal of violet amethyst, which fell to the ground and was lost, leaving Dionysus with nothing. Thus, in memory of Amethystos, who refused the god of wine and merriment, the stone was considered a means of avoiding drunkenness, encouraging common sense and having good luck when hunting or participating in sports competitions.

Model wearing emerald and amethyst earring by Emily P. Wheeler

Model wearing emerald and amethyst earring by Emily P. Wheeler

 Model wearing green and purple amethyst jewellery by Anne Sisteron

Model wearing green and purple amethyst jewellery by Anne Sisteron

 Suzanne Kalan gold, amethyst and diamond bracelet

Suzanne Kalan gold, amethyst and diamond bracelet

 Jenny Dee Jewelry ring in gold and amethyst

Jenny Dee Jewelry ring in gold and amethyst

 Drawing of a solitaire amethyst ring by Atelier Spilateri

Drawing of a solitaire amethyst ring by Atelier Spilateri

As the birthstone of February, it is also said that Saint Valentine himself wore a signet ring set with a carved amethyst intaglio depicting the image of Cupid, the god of desire. Another famous figure, Mary Queen of Scots, was said to wear an amethyst to ward off melancholy.

Aside from folklore, it is also worth noting that amethyst is one of the most ancient stones in jewellery making. It was traded among the merchants and dignitaries of Rome and Egypt while providing the perfect mineral canvas for cameos and intaglios. In the Middle Ages, it would not have been deemed unusual to see amethyst cabochons set in rings, brooches, and cloak fastenings. It was also a gemstone admired by the church, perhaps for its links to piety and humility, which is why popes, bishops and royalty wore amethyst. Examples of the gem can be found in the British Crown Jewels.

When amethysts were discovered in abundance in Brazil in the early 19th century, this led to an influx of new specimens onto the European gem market that could be afforded by the extremely wealthy and those trying to climb the social ranks. In the 1830s, Russian Emperor Alexander I presented Frances, Third Marchioness of Londonderry, with Siberian amethysts possessing a supremely covetable deep purple-red hue. This no doubt fuelled the desire for amethysts at all social levels.

Harry Winston jewels in platinum, cabochon amethysts, rubellites, peridots, aquamarines, tsavorites, sapphires and diamonds

Harry Winston jewels in platinum, cabochon amethysts, rubellites, peridots, aquamarines, tsavorites, sapphires and diamonds

 Actress and model Lucy Hale wearing gold, cabochon amethyst and diamond jewels by Jacquie Aiche

Actress and model Lucy Hale wearing gold, cabochon amethyst and diamond jewels by Jacquie Aiche

 Lionheart gold, amethyst and diamond ring

Lionheart gold, amethyst and diamond ring

 Lily Gabriella gold, amethyst and pink sapphire ring

Lily Gabriella gold, amethyst and pink sapphire ring

 Model wearing gold and amethyst necklace by Nakard

Model wearing gold and amethyst necklace by Nakard

 Model wearing gold, coloured gemstones and amethyst rings by Yvonne Leon

Model wearing gold, coloured gemstones and amethyst rings by Yvonne Leon

Interestingly, amethyst had fallen out of favour by the early 20th century. It is not something we see in Art Deco designs, for example. However, after World War II, there was an amethyst revival in ‘Retro’ jewellery, with an emblematic piece being a Cartier amethyst, turquoise and diamond collar acquired by the Duchess of Windsor, Wallace Simpson, in 1947.

To this day, amethyst maintains its status as one of the most popular gems due to its abundance, colour and accessible price. It can be readily purchased as faceted gemstones, rough crystals and geode clusters. It is a member of the quartz family and sits at seven on the Mohs scale of hardness. It isn’t as hardy as you might expect, so proceed cautiously when amethysts are worn in rings or bracelets.

Bulgari gold, amethyst, emerald, ruby and diamond brooch

Bulgari gold, amethyst, emerald, ruby and diamond brooch

You might also be surprised to learn that the colour of some amethyst gems can fade when exposed to sunlight over time, so be careful how you store your jewels. It is also advised not to use an ultrasonic cleaner on amethyst jewels in case this interferes with small cracks or internal fractures and leads to damage. You have been warned! Legends about amethyst are some of the most fascinating that I have encountered. The idea that a humble quartz crystal can cure drunkenness (or, indeed, prevent a hangover) is a wonderful fantasy that has stood the test of time. What I know for sure, however, is that amethyst is full of characterful beauty in all its shades, whether pale washes of lilac or rich deep purple tinged with red.

Brent Neale •

Brent Neale •

Gold, amethyst and sapphire earrings

Andrew Geoghegan •

Andrew Geoghegan •

Lets Fly Kite ring in gold, amethyst and diamond

Bowen NYC •

Bowen NYC •

Gigi Ferranti •

Gigi Ferranti •

Lucia ring in gold, pink sapphire and amethyst

Ashley Zhang •

Ashley Zhang •

Antique Amethyst band in gold

Chaumet •

Chaumet •

Alveole ring in gold, amethyst and diamond

Ara Vartanian •

Ara Vartanian •

White gold, amethyst and emerald ring

Dale Novick •

Dale Novick •

Gold ring featuring a 25-ct amethyst

Yoko London •

Yoko London •

White gold, amethyst, pearl and diamond earrings

Eden Presley •

Eden Presley •

Gold, amethyst, coloured gemstones and diamond ring

Fabio Salini •

Fabio Salini •

Gold, carbon, amethyst and diamond cuff

Fernando Jorge •

Fernando Jorge •

Orchidea Lilac bracelet in gold, amethyst, lavender jadeite, kunzite and diamond

Alessio Boschi •

Alessio Boschi •

Flame ring in gold, coloured gemstones and amethyst

Bulgari •

Bulgari •

Gold, amethyst and coloured gemstones necklace

Gemella •

Gemella •

Gold, amethyst and turquoise necklace

Gübelin Jewellery •

Gübelin Jewellery •

Stackable Lily Dew rings in gold, amethyst, green tourmaline and diamond

Kavant & Sharart •

Kavant & Sharart •

Gold and amethyst earrings

Kiki McDonough •

Kiki McDonough •

Gold, amethyst and diamond earrings

Minka Jewels •

Minka Jewels •

Gold and amethyst ring

Moussaieff •

Moussaieff •

White gold, amethyst and pink sapphire ring

Piaget •

Piaget •

Limelight Cocktail Party ring in white gold, amethyst, sapphire and diamond

Pomellato •

Pomellato •

NUDO necklace in rose gold, amethyst and diamond

Boghossian •

Boghossian •

White gold, amethyst, ruby and diamond earrings

Ray Griffiths •

Ray Griffiths •

Gold and amethyst braceleet

Shaun Leane •

Shaun Leane •

Aurora Ring in white gold amethyst and ruby ring

Theo Fennell •

Theo Fennell •

Large Bee Drop earrings in gold, amethyst and diamond

Sig Ward •

Sig Ward •

Gold, amethyst and diamond ring

The Vit •

The Vit •

Gold, amethyst, enamel and diamond necklace

Isabelle Langlois •

Isabelle Langlois •

White gold, amethyst and diamond ring

K&Co •

K&Co •

Gold, amethyst, turquoise, emerald and diamond necklace

Misahara •

Misahara •

Gold, amethyst, coloured gemstones and diamond brooch

Yi Collection •

Yi Collection •

Gold, amethyst and emerald earrings

Ananya •

Ananya •

Gold, amethyst, mother of pearl, sapphire and diamond earrings

Madly Gems •

Madly Gems •

Gold, amethyst, coloured gemstones and diamond ring

TOKTAM •

TOKTAM •

Gold and amethyst necklace

Palmiero •

Palmiero •

Gold, amethyst, coloured gemstones and diamond ring

Bea Bongiasca •

Bea Bongiasca •

Gold, amethyst and enamel ring

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