Indian Amethyst Raindrop Earrings
Found throughout India, purple-hued amethyst was a favorite of the opulent Mughal-era rulers. So important were gems and jewelry to the Mughal emperors that Shah Jahan gave his beloved wife the nickname Mumtaz Mahal, Jewel of the Palace. Amethyst inlay can also be found in Mumtaz's burial palace, the renowned Taj Mahal. Five tiny amethyst teardrops are outlined in sterling silver in these delicate earrings. Handmade in India.
Approximately 2 1/2"L
One of the most striking members of the quartz family, violet hued amethyst has a place in traditions and beliefs of cultures from ancient Israel to modern day Tibet. Ancient Greek folk belief held that if one drank wine from an amethyst cup, it would prevent intoxication, and in many cultures it represents purity, clarity of mind, and chastity. A favorite of royalty, England’s early 18th-century Queen Charlotte had a world famous amethyst bracelet and Russian empress Catherine the Great employed thousands of miners to extract the gem from Russia’s Ural Mountains, which still yields some of the finest examples. In Tibetan Buddhism, amethyst rosaries are believed to enhance focus and inspire clear-sighted intelligence, an essential state of mind for those pursuing enlightenment.
