Amethyst – part I

Purple has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst has been so much in demand during history. Fine amethysts are featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. Amethyst, transparent purple quartz, is the most important quartz variety used in jewelry.

Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence.  In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it.  The Greek work “amethystos” basically can be translated as “not drunken.” Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it! The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.

Amethysts. These are coloured violet to dark purple and associate with increased nobility, spiritual awareness, meditative and psychic abilities and inner peace. It transforms negative energy into positive energy, brings an understanding of death and rebirth, amplifies healing and promotes altered states of consciousness and relieves stress. It is therefore one of the most important and powerful stones and probably the most spiritual.

What does all this have to do with decorating?  I believe it is an under appreciated color in the design world.  Yes, every popular fabric vendor is producing some fabrics in the purple, lavender, ameyhyst family.  it’s a nice color to be around and mixes well with grey, cream and taupe.  I’m thinking of adding a splash to my livingroom with just a few pillows in a solid silk.  try it, you’ll like it.