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Writer's pictureKatriona MacMillan

Getting to Know your Amethyst Crystal

Updated: May 31, 2023

[Updated 31st May 2023]


Learn all about the meaning of amethyst crystals and explore the world of fine earth minerals.

By now, we have all heard about how Ancient Greeks used Amethyst to stay sober (0/10, does not work). We might even have learned about how the colour is produced by other minerals in the soil, and that therefore Amethyst crystals are no more than tinted quartz… but have you heard the way we tell it yet?

There will be fun, there may be laughter, there will definitely be heated rants about “citrine”, and you might even find yourself coming back for more crystal trivia. Whatever happens, we will be here to the bitter end.


Amethyst Crystals: The basics of purple quartz First of all, we know more about finding Scottish amethyst than we do about crystal healing. That won’t stop us trying, though. We’ll give you the lowdown once we discuss what amethyst is and where you can find it.

Where does Amethyst come from? Amethyst gemstones often come from China and Brazil. Since they have the best colour of purple known, demand is high for it. The problem with mining practises so far away is that we can’t guarantee how the minerals are extracted from the ground. We known child-mining is a big issue worldwide.

Instead of buying amethyst from China or Brazil, you can pick up some much rarer Scottish amethyst right here in our online Scottish mineral and gift shop. It is often lighter in colour but comes in fantastic drusy formations.

We find or buy our Scottish amethyst from collectors and locations all over the country. Other rockhounds providing us with amethyst are from Dumfries & Galloway, Fife, Ayrshire, and the north of Scotland.


Mineral and crystal hunting in Scotland has a long history going back to crofter times. Living on meagre incomes, many ancient Scots would collect pretty gemstones from the surrounding landscape to pass on to traders.

We are honoured and privileged to be able to carry on this long tradition of crystal collecting. We’re also proud to say that each of our Scottish minerals has been ethically sourced from the rock hunters and crystal collectors of this beautiful land.





What are the Mineral Properties of Amethyst? For those that know their geology, Amethyst belongs to the quartz group and therefore has a Mohs hardness that will test your hammer (7). It has a glassy lustre, has conchoidal fracturing similar to glass, and has no cleavage. If you scratch it on a test pad, the streak will be white, it’s also pretty much insoluble in anything but laboratory strength chemicals.

Amethyst gets its purple colour from irradiation of the soils. Too much heat and pressure, in fact, and you get citrine or ametrine. It is its reaction to heat that makes it a prime target for being cooked into fake citrine. Evil crystal killers also do this to smoky quartz.

What does Amethyst mean in Crystal Healing? Amethyst is correspondent to the crown chakra, although we have had some with that rose quartz, heart chakra feel to them. They are often used to meditate with, given that they have an intense connection to the spiritual self. Amethyst is a classic healing crystal of the air element, which means it is best used on the eastern side of a shrine or alter.

Amethyst is connected to the spiritual self, allowing you to make good progress in a spiritual journey. If starting down a particular healing path, this will help guide the transition. It brings peace and contentment of thought, as a healing gemstone. Carry it if you are troubled by negativity or mental ill-health.



Amethyst Trivia Astound your friends with some fun facts about amethyst. OK, so they’re not all fun, but read them anyway because they will make you sound clever at parties.



Fun Facts about Amethyst:

  • It is heat treated to form fake citrine. If your citrine fades to white/clear at the bottom, it is probably a burned-up amethyst.

  • Amethyst can have both red and blue streaks, depending on different factors like heat and radiation in the soil.

  • Ametrine can be caused by partially heating an amethyst, but this process is only natural when it happens in the earth before it has been dug up... like amethyst for sale at the Stone Circle! The yellow parts in our amethyst are limonite staining.

  • Amethyst is found all over the world. Although we have limited quantities of amethyst here in Scotland, you can get it from Brazil, China, Uruguay, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, America, Canada and many more other countries... but those are just the ones we know about.

  • The Ancient Egyptians used to carve intricate designs into amethyst as part of their culture. These were known as Intaglio engraved gems and are some of the finest examples of carving that remain from the ancient world.


Amethyst FAQs We keep getting asked about our fantastic Scottish Amethyst crystals. Here are the answers to amethyst questions, to help you out.

Q1) Where does Amethyst come from? Amethyst crystals come from a few locations around the world. China, Uruguay, Canada and Brazil are known to produce single points and clusters of good colour. Scottish amethyst is much rarer, but collectors do find crystals and amethyst geodes occasionally.

Q2) Is amethyst expensive? A) Amethyst costs comparatively more than quartz but you can still buy Scottish amethyst for less than ten pounds or so. Scottish amethyst for sale here at the Stone Circle is rarer than points found in China or Brazil but is competitively priced (and extra exclusive).

Q3) Are amethysts valuable? A) An amethyst will always catch the attention of a crystal seller. They aren’t worth a lot of money, but they never stay in stock for long. Amethyst is incredibly popular and is valued for its purple colour. The deeper the purple, the higher the price.

Q4) Can you put amethyst in water? A) Yes, your amethyst can go in water. If your amethyst bleeds purple into the water, then you have accidentally bought a dyed piece. This is common with mass-produced/purchased amethyst crystals. Since a deeper colour gives a better price, unethical crystal sellers will dye quartz. Of course, our amethyst is all natural, here at the Stone Circle.

So yes, you can put amethyst in water. If it leaks purple, though, it might be quartz.

Q5) How do you cleanse amethyst crystal? A) You can place your amethyst crystal in running water to cleanse it. You can even cleanse it with moon water for best effects. To make moon water, place distilled water under the light of a full moon and leave it overnight. In the morning, place it in a sealed jar. Add in whichever protective herbs you wish to sweeten the deal.

Q6) Can amethyst go in the sun? A) Only for short periods. An amethyst left exposed to the sun’s rays over months or years will lose its colour. The warning here is not to place your amethyst on the window ledge and forget about it for a few years. Again, if it is dyed, this process will happen sooner rather than later.

Q7) Is amethyst a quartz? A) Yes! It’s quartz which has been gradually dyed by the presence of red and blue tinted minerals in the soil.

Q8) What’s amethyst used for in crystal healing? A) Amethyst is used to treat insomnia and problems with the crown chakra. If you are suffering mental health issues, going through emotional turbulence, or even trying to quit an addiction, amethyst is the stone you need to keep in your pocket – or by your bed.

Q9) What are the properties of amethyst? A) Amethyst properties include a boost to your spiritual wisdom. If you are ready to progress in your metaphysical journey, amethyst can help clear the path. It is a stone that can be used for the banishment of negative properties. Ancient Greeks believed the meaning of amethyst was to help you be sober, this is probably due to the clarity of thought it brings.

Q10) When can I use amethyst in real life? A) Place it under your pillow to work on banishing nightmares, helping you sleep, and clearing up those pesky 4am dark thoughts. Meditate with amethyst on your crown chakra or wear an amethyst necklace to keep your spirits up during difficult times.

Q11) Which month has the Amethyst Birthstone? A) Amethyst is the birthstone of the month of February. Scottish amethyst makes the ideal gift for those born during this month.







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