Art & Artists, Volume 1, number 2, February 1999 Judie's Gems: amythest February’s birthstone is the amethyst, with a hardness of seven on the Moh scale. Known for its purple color, it is one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable of gemstones. It is part of the quartz family. Amethyst can range in color from pale purple to a deep violet with shades of magenta. Generally speaking, the deeper the color the more expensive the stone. The natural crystal is shaped like a pyramid, with the deepest color at the tip and the lightest at the base. There is a lot more material to cut from the base, while there is less at the tip and so is more precious. It is said that this gemstone can be worn by anyone without adverse results. It is said to have a calming effect upon nerves and prevent inebriation...the perfect gem for that Year 2000 New Year’s party! | ||
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