Amethyst Crystal - Healing Properties, Meaning and Uses

QUICK INFO

Uses: Known for promoting calm, clarity, and spiritual development  

Chakra: Associated with the crown chakra 

Origin: Brazil, Germany, Sri Lanka, Uruguay 

Color: Varieties of lavender and violet 

Birthstone month: February

OVERVIEW

Amethyst crystal is at its core a deeply spiritual and cerebral stone. It has been used and prized for millennia. Ancient Greek’s believed that it would keep them from getting intoxicated and Egyptians used the purple stone to craft incredible jewelry for Pharaohs. Whether you’re new to the world of healing crystals or a harcore veteran, there’s always more room for amethyst in your crystal toolbox. Read on to learn about the amethyst’s origins, meaning, properties and practical ways you can make the most of your purple gem.

WHAT IS AMETHYST?

Amethyst like many other crystals is a variety of quartz. The purple color comes from impurities present during the stone’s formation, irradiation, and the interaction of light with its crystal structure. Amethyst’s Mohs hardness rating is a 7 making it much harder than stones such as fluorite and slightly softer than topaz. The highest quantity and quality of the stone is found in  Brazil, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Uruguay. It’s primary application is in jewelry and has little to no industrial value as compared to say diamond. 

Mental exhaustion, chronic anxiety, and unhealthy social media habits are only a few of the things today that drain your mental resources and willpower. These states and habits left unmanaged can strip you of your energy, creativity and spark. When used with intention, amethyst can help you work through the noise and gain both clarity and peace. As it’s associated with the crown chakra it provides a window to your mind and spirit like no other gemstone.

YOU NEED GUIDANCE ON YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH / FOR THE WANDERING SPIRIT

Our spiritual journeys are a lifelong undertaking which ultimately consist of bold pursuits, cherished relationships, tragic traumas and countless other complex experiences. Using amethyst to help support and guide us through these chapters is one of our favorite applications of the stone. Amethyst not only helps you recenter your focus on the priorities you’ve set for yourself but it helps you discover entirely new ones. In doing so, the crystal is a valuable tool of spiritual discovery. During meditation and rituals, amethyst’s calming energy drowns out the noise and excessive mental chatter so the most important thoughts and at times, epiphanies can come to light.

YOUR BODY FEELS RESTLESS AND TENSE ALL THE TIME / FOR THE RESTLESS BODY

We hold tension and negative energy in our bodies often without realizing it. Sometimes it can be released naturally through the simple passing of time, a healthy diet or exercise, but sometimes it can stick with us and grow. Not dealing with this stress in all its forms can be detrimental to body, mind and spirit. Amethyst crystal is one of the most powerful cleansers in the crystal world. Using the stone after a stressful experience or before sleep is an excellent way to reap its benefits.  

YOUR WILLPOWER RESERVED IS CHRONICALLY DRAINED / FOR BUILDING WILLPOWER

There’s no surprise that willpower is one of the most common issues that we struggle with as human beings. Although the definition of willpower varies widely, it can be summed up to our ability to use mental strength to do the right thing. That can mean not doing something which is harmful or doing something that is difficult. Doing the right thing often takes energy and relies on our ability to focus and remember what our goals are and why we want to achieve them. Amethyst can be our sidekick in this as it helps us hone in on what’s most important and block out distractions so we can keep our eye on the prize. 

PRACTICAL TIPS ON HOW TO USE YOUR AMETHYST CRYSTAL (RITUALS, MEDITATION & HOME)

You’ll need a sheet of paper and a piece of amethyst which preferably does not roll or move around. This ritual can be used in times of temptation or when you’re struggling with finding the energy for a task. To manifest clarity, first identify your intention and write down the battle (small or large) you're facing. Then write down the feeling and tension that you’re trying to overcome. For example, if you’ve been procrastinating on something, write down the task you’re putting off, the very first and smallest step of that task, and exactly what done looks like (e.g. all bills paid, essay sent to the professor, or kids bathed and put to sleep). Take the amethyst in your hand, relax your shoulders, straighten your back and take 5 deep breaths. Think about the issue at hand whether it’s getting your thoughts together or getting out of an unproductive rut. Feel the tension that’s been building up during your procrastination which is usually in the chest, stomach or both. Then, imagine yourself having completed your goal and the relaxed and accomplished state you’ll be in. Take a few moments to think through the process starting with the very first small step you wrote down. Now, feel the calming energy of the amethyst as it dissipates the tension in your body. Let it rush all through your body. Then in your head or out loud recite the following. “It’ll all be OK. I know what to do, I’m in control, and I have a plan.” Then take another several breaths, count to three, and get cracking!

MEDITATION FOR RELAXATION

At times the most simple of meditations can be the most effective. Try this meditation before bedtime or after a stressful experience. With meditation it’s important to understand that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. It all comes down to what feels right to you and to ensure you’re meditating with intention and purpose. This short and sweet meditation is our team’s favorite to help slow things down and get rid of any excess tension built up throughout the day.   

1. Choose your amethyst crystal and hold it in your hand or place it in front of you.    
2. Sit in a relaxed position on a chair or on the floor.    
3. Take several deep breaths and picture the stone’s cool purple color radiating in your hands.   
4. Let the color move up your hands and into your core and then both directions towards your head and feet.  
5. Now picture your surroundings bathed in a soft purple light.  
6. Stay focused on the color and if any other thoughts come up (which is perfectly fine and normal), acknowledge them and bring your mind back to the meditation.  
7. Remain in this headspace for another 10 breaths or longer if you’d like. Imagine the light receding from the room and then slowly from your body.  
8. As the light dims, relax that part of your body and release the tension.  Do this slowly. 
9. At which point all the light has gone, slowly open your eyes and reflect on how different you feel from before.    

This meditation has helped us immensely in dealing with the everyday stress and many of us on the Rock Paradise team have implemented into our daily routine. We love it and hope you will too!

A PLACEMENT FOR PEACE

As the start and end to your day are some of the most important moments, the bedroom is one of the best places to position your amethyst. The clarifying and soothing properties of the stone help you get a clear and focused start in the morning and set up a relaxed transition into sleep at night. We recommend using a natural form of the stone such as a geode or cluster instead of a sphere or palm stone. 

YOUR CRYSTAL COMPANION ON THE GO

A small amethyst point, worry stone or palmstone can help you keep calm, cool and collected wherever you are. If you’re keeping it in your pocket or purse make sure it’s separate from your phone, keys or other hard objects that might damage your gem.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR AMETHYST STONE.

As one of the more durable crystals, amethyst needs little babysitting. With that said, we recommend keeping all your crystals stored in a safe place which is either padded or allows for separation from your other stones. To clean your amethyst stone, you can use warm water and a soft sponge to get off any dust. Always leave the stone out to dry before putting it away. Avoid placing amethyst in direct sunlight for extended periods of time as this can dull the color.      

Charging your amethyst can be as simple as placing it on a selenite charging plate or leaving it out in the moonlight for several hours. You can also charge the stone by burying it for 24 hours. Make sure to use a cloth bag or other natural covering to ensure dirt does not get into the cracks and crevices of the crystal.  

Cleanse your stone using California White Sage, palo santo or another sacred herb of your choice. As amethyst is primarily used for drawing out negative energy and alleviating a chaotic headspace, the stone benefits from cleansing more than most other gems. 

Disclaimer:  Please consult a healthcare professional for any medical advice. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition.