Amethyst natural crystal 269g, Brazil

Amethyst is a variety of quartz of various shades of purple, with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Amethyst is counted among precious stones, it is a popular material for the production of various ornaments and jewelry. It is found mainly in the cavities of alkaline rocks (geodes). Amethyst has a color from light purple to purple. Some amethysts are transparent, others only translucent, others opaque, so-called opaque. Due to their color, they are very popular. Amethyst has been important as a piece of jewelry since ancient times. Amethyst beads are known from the ancient cultures of Mohenjo-dara, Egypt, Sumer and Bactria in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. From the beginning of history, amethyst has been used in jewelry, it has been used to cut Sumerian and Mesopotamian sealing rollers, and especially ancient (Greek and Roman) gems. Amethyst is also widely used in European jewelery and glyptics from the Middle Ages to the present day, famous for the bowls and teapots of court artists Charles IV, or dishes from the workshops of the Miseroni family grinders who worked in Prague-Bubeneč for Emperor Rudolf II. and his court.