One of the most striking members of the quartz family, violet hued amethyst has a place in traditions and beliefs of cultures from… 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, Englands 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 Russias 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.
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