Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz which is often used in jewelry. It can be so pale as to be almost clear and dark enough to call the color "purple". Most amethyst used for jewelry though, is violet in color. You can often tell a real amethyst from a piece of cut glass (rhinestone) because most often there are inclusions which are visible to the eye. A loop can help, and it is also a lot of fun to use a jeweler's loop!

The word amethyst is thought to be from Ancient Greek. "A" meaning "not" and "methustos" meaning "intoxicated". "Not-intoxicated". This is a reference to something else that is ancient, the belief that drinking alcohol from a cup made of amethyst or wearing amethyst would keep the drinker from becoming intoxicated.