Amethyst

Amethyst Mineral Group: SILICATES
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Amethyst is a form of quartz. Quartz that is purple or pink is called amethyst. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The most common use of amethyst is jewellery. It is considered a gemstone.
SPECIMEN LOCATION: Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario, CANADA		The purple color is caused by inclusion of (ferric) iron impurities. Amethyst is one of our oldest recorded gemstones. Many ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back thousands of years had articles of jewelry with amethyst set in them.	AMETHYST SPHERE
		Amethyst is Ontario’s official gemstone. This amethyst "button" is a cluster of 6 sided prisms with pointy ends. AMETHYST BUTTON SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Thunder Bay, Ontario, CANADA
In the Middle Ages, amethyst was thought to preserve people from getting drunk. It was also supposed to protect people from evil spirits. Amethyst was considered a rare and valuable stone until large deposits were found in Africa, Brazil and Mexico.		SPECIMEN: Amethyst Geode with "Poker Chip" Calcite SPECIMEN ORIGIN: MEXICO
	Amethyst can also be pink.
		Amethyst geodes and "cathedrals" make popular decorations. They often come from mEXICO, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The green "skin" is typical of amethyst that comes from South American countries. The green is painted on.