A purple variety of quartz cut from crystal-lined geodes, the sight of which, evoke a sense of magic and mysticism.

They are found in color ranging from light lilac to deep shades of purple and are available in almost all shapes and sizes.

In sharp contrast to its wine-like hue, the ancient Greeks named the stone “amethystos” which means “not drunk,” as it was believed to prevent intoxication. Saint Valentine, patron of romance and love, wore an amethyst ring carved in Cupid’s likeness.

Leonardo Da Vinci said that its wearers would broaden their intelligence and ward away evil. For centuries leaders held the tradition that Amethysts protected them from treason and deceit.

They have adorned Popes and Pharaohs alike, and were particularly important to Catherine the Great of Russia.

The Heron-Allen Amethyst pictured to the right is thought to carry a terrible curse. After being smuggled out of India in the 1860's it made it's way to Edward Heron-Allen's possession. An author and entrepreneur with a deep thirst for knowledge bestowed it upon his friend, a rising star and singer in London.

In the days soon after acquiring the gem she awoke to find her voice mysteriously vanished, "dead and gone." She never sang again and Heron-Allen angrily threw the stone into The Regent's Canal. Even stranger, a dredger accidentally rescued it from the depths and a dealer who knew of the stone subsequently returned it to Heron-Allen.

He deemed it cursed and "stained with blood." He tucked the gem away within seven lock boxes inside a bank vault and instructed his daughter to read a note to whomever claimed it after his death. " “Whoever shall then open it, shall first read out this warning, and then do as he pleases with the jewel. My advice to him or her is to cast it into the sea.”

Today the gem is on view in the Natural History Museum if you muster courage to gaze into its deep purple hues.