Amethyst’s Royal Purple
Ancient Greeks named this quartz variety after their word for “not drunken,” believing it prevented intoxication. Purple became the color of kings because amethyst was so hard to find in nature. Rich merchants sought these crystals for their beauty and supposed sobriety-inducing powers. Greek rulers decorated their crowns with amethyst to show their clear-minded leadership. Local mine owners carefully controlled amethyst distribution to maintain its value.
