Mandela © by
lilyas 2014
|
SPIRIT
LODGE
LIBRARY
Stones
& Minerals Information
Page
2
|
(Main
Links of the site are right at the bottom of the page)
50 pages of this Stones & Minerals Information section are
below. The other 4 are in the index, page 5. (see the end of
the page for link)
Amethyst
By SilverEagleDreamDancer
Resource: Mineral
Galleries
Amethyst is the purple variety of
quartz and is a popular gemstone. If it were not for its widespread
availability, amethyst would be very expensive. The name "amethyst"
comes from the Greek and means "not drunken." This
was maybe due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects
of alcohol, but most likely the Greeks were referring to the
almost wine-like color of some stones that they may have encountered.
Its color is unparalleled, and even other, more expensive purple
gemstones are often compared to its color and beauty. Although
it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have
a wide range of purple shades. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic
crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can
form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the
pointed terminations.
As a mineral specimen, amethyst
is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce
a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster. However, amethyst is
not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a
unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular
mine. Experts can often identify the source mine that a particular
amethyst came from. The key to this is the specimen's color,
shape of crystal, inclusions, associations and character of
formation.
The following is a list of many
of the more noteworthy localities and some of the attributes
that characterize the amethyst found there.
Vera Cruz, Mexico -- very pale, clear, prismatic crystals
that are sometimes double terminated and have grown on a light
colored host rock. Crystals are typically phantomed, having
a clear quartz interior and an amethyst exterior. Some are sceptered
and phantomed.
Guerrero, Mexico -- dark, deep purple, prismatic crystals
that radiate outward from a common attachment point. Often the
crystals are phantomed opposite of Vera Cruz amethyst having
a purple interior with a clear or white quartz exterior. These
are some of the most valuable amethysts in the world.
Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, Bahaia, Brazil --
crystals form in druzy crusts that line the inside of sometimes
large volcanic rock pockets or "vugs". Some of the
vugs form from trees that were engulfed in a lava flow millions
of years ago and have since withered away. Other vugs are just
gas bubbles in the lava. Some vugs can be quite large. The crystals
that form are usually light to medium in color and only colored
at the tops of the crystals. Most clusters form with gray, white
and blue agate and have a green exterior on the vugs. Calcite
sometimes is associated and inclusions of cacoxenite are common.
Maraba, Brazil -- large crystals with unattractive surfaces
that are of a pale to medium color and often carved or cut into
slices.
Thunder Bay, Canada -- a distinct
red hematite inclusion just below the surface of the crystals
is unique to this locality. Clusters are druzy crusts that line
the fissures formed in ancient metamorphic rocks.
Uruguay -- crystals are dark
to medium and form in druzy crusts that line the inside of volcanic
vugs that have a gray or brown exterior. The crystals are usually
colored throughout, unlike the Brazilian crystals, and form
with a multicolored agate that often contains reds, yellows
and oranges. Often amethyst- coated stalactites and other unusual
formations occur inside these vugs.
Africa -- crystals are usually
large but not attractive. However, the interior color and clarity
are excellent and polished slices and carvings as well as many
gemstones are prized and admired.
Maine, USA -- Dark druzy
clusters that are not widely distributed today.
North Carolina, USA -- Druzy
clusters that have a bluish-violet tint.
Pennsylvania, USA -- druzy
clusters that filled fractures in metamorphic rocks. They are
generally a brownish purple and patchy in color.
Colorado, USA -- druzy clusters
form crusts inside of fissures in sandstone, often on top of
a crust of green fluorite. Crystals are dark but rather small.
Italy -- both Vera Cruz like
crystals, although not as well defined, and large parallel growth
clusters with good evenly distributed color.
Germany -- associated with
colorful agates that form a druzy light-colored crust.
Ural Mountains, Russia --
a very clear and dark variety that is cut for fine expensive
gemstones, natural uncut clusters are rarely on the market.
***Often cut gems of amethyst are
graded using the terms: Siberian, Uruguayan or Bahain; to represent
high medium and low grade respectively, regardless of the actual
source. Because of the patchyness of the color distribution
in the crystals, Amethyst is often cut as brilliant round cuts
to maximize the color.
Other cuts can be used when the
color is better distributed. The color purple is traditionally
the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn
of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers.
Today, amethyst is a lovely and affordable gemstone that is
fortunately available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones
that we can all possess and admire.
Amethyst is only one of several quartz
varieties. Other varieties that form macroscopic (large enough
to see) crystals are as follows:
Citrine is a yellow to orange gemstone variety that is
rare in nature but is often created by heating Amethyst.
Milky Quartz is the cloudy
white variety.
Rock crystal is the clear
variety that is also used as a gemstone.
Rose quartz is a pink to reddish
pink variety.
Smoky quartz is the brown
to gray variety.
Copyright ©1995-2003 by Amethyst Galleries, Inc. Unless
otherwise noted, all descriptions, images, and programs are
the property of Amethyst Galleries, Inc., and may not be copied
for commercial purposes. Permission to copy descriptions and
images is granted for personal and educational use only. All
such copies must include this copyright notice and explicit
references to this URL.
Amethyst has long been prized for
it's protective qualities but that's not how I've ever used
it. I've always related to it as a clarity of thought stone.
It helps to enhance the flow of the third eye energy as well
as the throat chakra (for clarity of communication) Amethyst
likes to travel and is an excellent stone to carry in your pocket
as a worry stone. It has an instant calming effect when used
in this way.
Amethyst is not only good for communication
with others, but it like to talk with it's owner as well. All
you have to do is ask it what it can help with and it'll tell
you. It doesn't speak in a chatty energy but rather a smooth,
deep and rich energy so you have to listen with softer ears.
Amethyst is also an excellent cleanser of other stones. If you
have wands, balls or eggs that need rest - set them on an amethyst
cluster in the sun for awhile.
Lotus:
A little
more on the Amethyst. Amethyst is known as a "stone of
spirituality and contentment," often used to balance the
energies of the mental, emotional, and physical bodies. There
are many wonderful properties of the amethyst and one of my
favorite ... this is an excellent stone during meditation, as
it help facilitate a clearer connection between the Earth and
spiritual plane. It opens and activates the crown chakra and
is a wonderful tool to accompany the Third Eye [opening] exercise
I wrote for Spirit Lodge. Healers may decide to use this stone
to clear the aura, stabilize and transmute any dysfunctional
energy in the body. Amethyst vibrates to the number three Astrological
Signs: Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius and Capricorn.
CinnamonMoon:
Amethyst:
An elixir used to calm down stressful situations, allows clarity
of thought, good for headaches and migraine. Gives confidence,
stimulates those who lack vision, and helps to have a greater
attunement with God. The spiritual stone. Helps those who wish
to develop psychically and gives protection to those wh feel
they may be under psychic attack. Sleeping with it under your
pillow promotes intuitive dreams and inspired thought. Many
healers find it useful in the relief of insomnia and to bring
serenity in times of grief. Brings contentment and sincerity
for the wearer. In ancient days it was carried to prevent the
desire for drinking. Also worn to attract favor of people in
high office or importance.
Scott
Cunningham: Receptive, Jupiter, Neptune, Water, Bacchus, Dionysus,
Diana, Dreams, Overcoming Alcoholism, Healing, Psychism, Peace,
Love, Protection Against Thieves, Courage, Happiness.
Magical
uses: Amethyst, a purple quartz, is a stone steeped in ancient
amgic. It is, perhaps, as popular today as it was 2,000 years
ago. Placed beneath the pillow or worn to bed, it drives off
insomnia and nightmares. It produces a peaceful sleep and pleasant,
healing, even prophetic dreams. However, it will also ensure
that its wearer doesn't oversleep. A spiritual stone, with no
negative side effects or associations with violence, anger,
or passion, it is the stone of peace. When the stresses of daily
life well up hold it in your left hand (or right hand if left-handed).
Let its soothing, de-stressing, calming, peaceful vibrations
sink into you. Or better yet, wear it so that it touches your
skin, and you may avoid such highly wrought emotional states.
It calms fears, raises hopes, lifts the spirits and promotes
thoughts of spiritual reality behind our lives. Worn, it wards
off guilt and self-deception, helps you overcome addictions
such as alcoholism, curbs overindulgence and bestows good judgement.
It calms emotional storms. Amethyst lends courage to its wearer,
and it is a powerful amulet for travelers. Worn, it protects
against thieves, harm, sickness and danger.
In Renaissance magic, amethysts engraved with the image of a
bear were worn as protective amulets. In Graeco-Roman times
rings set in bronze were worn as charms against evil, and magical
cups carved from amethyst banished sorrow and evil from all
who drank. Because it is such a spiritual stone, it is often
worn during contemplation or placed on simple meditation altars.
A piece set before a white candle and a censer burning a soothing
high-vibrational incense, such as sandalwood, is conducive to
meditative practices.
Pre-meditation
baths can be powerful attunement experiences. Have a light purple
candle burning as you bathe, and ring the candle with amethysts.
Also used to increase psychic awareness and to sharpen the sixth
sense. Some keep an amethyst with their tarot cards, I Ching
yarrow stalks or coins, rune stones to heighten their inner
energies.
It
is worn during psychic or divinatory acts. Since it is also
a stone of wisdom, it allows the information received through
the psychic mind to be appropriately utilized. Sharpens the
conscious mind, quickening the wit and enhancing mental powers.
It is used to improve the memory, relieve headaches and to keep
thoughts in line with life goals. A stone of pure, true emotional
love, it is often exchanged between lovers to strengthen their
commitment. Carved in the shape of a heart and set in silver,
it was presented by a woman to a man to ensure love. It is one
of the few stones said to be used b y men to attract women.Worn
by a man, the stone draws "good women" to love him.
Often thought to be a stone of chastity, this attribute dates
from past centuries when the ideal love was platonic. Today
this idea is slowly fading from folk memory. Used by those with
lawsuits to insure that right is done. In prosperity magic to
bring success in business. Moistened with saliva and rubbed
on the face to banish pimples and rough skin, and in spells
to magnify beauty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Libraries
are on this row
|
|
|
INDEX
Page 3
(Main Section, Medicine Wheel, Native Languages &
Nations, Symbology)
|
|
INDEX
Page 5
(Sacred Feminine & Masculine, Stones & Minerals)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
©
Copyright: Cinnamon Moon & River WildFire Moon (Founders.)
2000-date
All rights reserved.
Site
constructed by Dragonfly
Dezignz 1998-date
|
|
