Ten Trivia Tidbits about Amethyst

Yep, amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. But I bet you didn’t know all these random facts about amethyst:

1. Amethyst is a silicate mineral.
2. The only difference between amethyst and citrine is in color.
3. Most citrine in the marketplace today is actually amethyst that has been exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure in a controlled environment.
4. Ancient Greeks & Romans frequently studded their goblets with amethyst believing it would prevent them from getting drunk.
5. The color of amethyst is the result of iron impurities.
6. The largest mines of amethyst in the world are located in Brazil.
7. In the times of the ancients, amethysts were worth as much as diamonds.
8. All amethyst gemstones are purple. However the intensity of the color determines its value. Those with a rich, deep purple color are rare and more valuable.
9. The amethyst shares, with its sister citrine, the same main coloring agent: iron.
10. Catherine the Great of Russia, big fan of this stone, sent thousands of workers to dig in the Russian mines in search for the best quality, thus creating the famous "Siberian" quality.