48 COMMON AMETHYST. 
79. COMMON AMETHYST. This is a violet-coloured 
crystal, which acquires considerable brilliancy in po- 
lishing, and is sometimes of sufficient size to be formed 
into columns more than a foot in height, and several 
inches in diameter. When the colour is good, and 
uniformly diffused, amethysts are cut into necklaces, 
bracelets^ ear-rings, and seals ; and, when less pure, they 
are manufactured into snuff-boxes. They are valued 
in proportion to the depth of their colour, and to their 
perfect transparency. The most favourite form in 
which they are made up is in necklaces ; and as it is 
not easy to find a number of perfect stones with pre- 
cisely the same tint of colour, necklaces of this de- 
scription are very valuable. The finest that is known was 
in the possession of her late Majesty. When the COIOUT 
is not uniformly diffused, jewellers sometimes expose 
amethysts, for a little while, in a mixture of sand and 
iron-filings, to a moderate heat ; and, by this process, 
their appearance is rendered more uniform. 
The amethyst being almost the only coloured stone 
that can be worn with mourning, it derives, from this 
circumstance, a considerable addition of value. 
This species of gem was well known to the ancient 
Greeks and Romans, and was held by them in great 
esteem. Its name is derived from the Greek language, 
and implies a power of preventing intoxication ; which 
(originating no doubt in the resemblance of its colour 
to that of wine, and the absurd doctrine of sympathies) 
it was believed by the ancients to possess. They 
ascribed to it many other virtues, equally surprising and 
equally absurd ; particularly that the wearing of it 
would expel melancholy, procure the confidence and 
friendship of princes, render people happy, and even 
dispel storms of wind and hail. The ancients fre- 
quently engraved upon amethyst ; and their favourite 
subject was the representation of Bacchus and his fol- 
lowers. 
The most valuable amethysts are imported into 
