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| Roman intaglio engraved gem. |
The purple amethyst stands pre-eminent as the most popular of the semi-precious gems. Being a variety of quartz and obtainable in large quantities, this stone is now of more artistic than intrinsic value, but its qualities are those of a true gem. Indeed in early times, when the available supply of amethyst was limited, it was esteemed as a precious stone and was held in equal value with the sapphire. In many of the gem-pieces which have descended to us from ancient Rome, the amethyst and the sapphire are found side by side.
The chief sources from whence the present-day supply of amethysts is derived are Brazil and the Ural Mountains in Siberia, although the gem is
found in many other localties. In North America, amethysts are found in Maine, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and in the regions adjacent to Lake Superior. The Siberian amethysts, accompanied by beryl and topaz, occur in cavities in granite, although they are often found lying loose and very near the surface. The Siberian stones are so far superior to all others in the richness and depth of their dark violet hue, that the merest novice in the selection of gems would unhesitatingly show a preference for them over those from other sources. Very fine amethysts are occasionally obtained from Ceylon where they are found as pebbles in river-beds. These, however, occur in such small quantities as to be almost negligible. The Oriental amethyst which is procured from Ceylon is really the purple sapphire.
While amethyst is found in all degrees of purple from the lightest tint to a shade that is so dark as to be almost opaque, the gems of a dark reddish-purple are most highly prized. Good amethysts of this type hold their color-value under all circumstances, while some of the paler stones lose their violet color and show a dull gray under an artificial light.
The amethyst lends itself to almost every type of cutting, but because of the great value which was placed upon this stone by the ancients it was not often engraved. Today, however, many of the finest amethysts are engraved or carved.
USED BY THE EGYPTIANS
The amethyst figured in the earliest Egyptian amulets, the forms and heads of animals constituting the most favored models. An exceedingly fine specimen of ancient Egyptian goldsmith's work which was evidently worn as a talisman by one of very high rank, is now in the Louvre Museum, Paris. This is a pendant of gold, lapis-lazuli, amethyst and Oriental pearl, shaped into a bull's head. The amethyst is engraved on both faces, the form of a priest being figured in each case.
RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS
The association of the amethyst with sacerdotal things is old. It is the pious or episcopal gem, the precious stone of the Bishop, and it is regarded as imparting especial dignity and beauty to the property of the Roman Church. It is also the stone appropriate for mourning. The amethyst is sacred to St. Valentine who is said to have worn one at all times. In Revelation (XXI, 20) it is given as the twelfth foundation stone of Jerusalem.
PROTECTIVE AND CURATIVE VIRTUES
In medieval times the amethyst was a favorite amulet as a preserver of the wearer in battle, and many a pious crusader who nightly told his beads, relied also upon the purple stone that hung as a protective charm beside his rosary. This gem was believed to be a good influence if worn by persons making petitions to princes, and when worn by a man, it was thought to attract to him the love of noble women. It was regarded as a protection from plagues, witchcraft, hailstorms, locusts and thieves. It was also supposed to induce sleep.
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| Amethyst cluster from Artigas, Uruguay. |
THE TALISMAN OF CHARLEMAGNE
One of the most interesting relics from medieval times is found in the Talisman of Charlemagne which was formerly preserved in the Cathedral Treasury at Aix-la-Chapelle, and which, because of its sacred character and on account of the mystic power ascribed to it, always exerted a peculiar fascination over the minds of those who visited the shrine.
The 'talisman' is supposed to bear a piece of the True Cross which is surrounded by fifty or more large gems, many of these being amethysts.
In the summer of 1804, Empress Josephine went to Aix-la-Chapelle where she visited the tomb of Charlemagne. Napoleon at this time authorized
the Cathedral chapter to bestow certain relics, among them the famed talisman, upon Josephine. It eventually went to the hands of Hortense, Josephine's daughter and the mother of Napoleon III, and was later inherited by him. It is said to be now in a private collection in Paris.
SOME FAMOUS GEMS
The signet ring of Cleopatra was an amethyst, engraved with the figure of Mithras, a Persian deity, symbol of the Divine Idea, Source of Light and Life.
From the ring of Edward the Confessor was taken an amethyst which now adorns the British crown. This particular stone is, by tradition, endowed with pronounced therapeutic virtues.
STONES OF LARGE SIZE
Amethyst has been known to reach gigantic size at times, one crystal having been obtained which weighed 140 pounds.
The artists of the Renaissance eagerly availed themselves of these huge and beautiful crystals to carve them into the fanciful but elegant vases that were so acceptable to the taste of their age. The Parisian Collections offer the choicest specimens of their skill in this line, presenting cups, vases, and urns carved from single gems, some of them measuring eight inches in height.
Because of its beauty of color and its adaptability as an ornament the amethyst has always been held in popular esteem. It is coming, however, into the especial favor of those whose refined discrimination in matters of dress includes a gem-piece to harmonize with a costume. Wood
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