Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
Beautiful Amethyst
February Birthstone

" HE tutelary gem for February Is the
beautiful amethyst, which is not
held in high esteem by the wealthy
and fashionable 1t does not rank with
the costliest gems.
lN ancient as well as at the present time
there are many who believe that one born
In February will go through life contented.
and that the birthstone (amethyst) pre-
serves mortals from strong passions and
insures peace Of mind. Aristotle believed
that the amethyst would prevent the ascen-
sion Of vapors, and Baccius said that 1t
sharpened the intellect, increased wit,
diminished sleep, and resisted poison. It
was one OF the favorite gems of the an
clients, and one in which at the present day
we possesses more specimens OF the skill
OF the old engravers and artists than in
any other unless 1t be the emerald. 1t is q
peculiar fact that the ancients could dis
count us In carving and engraving, as their
work In some Of the gems collected will
bear Witness
The color Of the amethyst varies from q
dark bluish-purple to q light violet some
times irregular in color in the same stone
thereby decreasing It's value. There is a
brown or yellow species found in Scotland
and 1t Is a great favor1te with the people
OF that country. Many beautiful and yalu-
able amethysts have been brought from
India. Persia Siberia. Switzerland Hun
gary anu braZli, Out the prettleSl ana most
valuable OF these gems have been found In
the United States, a number of states pro-
ducing some rarely found gems. A very
superb heart-shaped amethyst was found
near Clayton. Ca, and 1t is now in the
splendid collection of gems found in the
United States which was presented to the
Paris museum by ]. P. Morgan. Still an
other Georgia amethyst of great value is
owned by Mr.. Jerome Cheshire Of Atlanta.
This stone Is violet-colored, perfectly clear.
and nearly as large a hens egg. In
the center there is a drop of water or an
air bubble which moves around just like
the bubble in a spirit level. The stone is
still in it's rough state. it's owner declining
to dispose Of it or have 1t cut.
~
An amethyst found in North Carolina
many years ago was originally shaped like
a turtle, and 1t is supposed to have been
the handiwork Of prehistoric carvers. In
an effort to improve on the work and make
the turtle more perfect. the gem was
ruined. Many Of the finest specimens in
the National Museum were brought from
North Carolina, Georgia. northern Tennes-
see, Kentucky, Virginia and other states.
The museum people do not hesitate to say
that It would be difficult to secure more
perfect amethysts than those found In the
United States.
It Is q singular fact that there are anne
thysts which will change color with the
weather. II the day be clear and sunny
the amethyst will be perfectly clear. but on
q cloudy day 1t changes to a dark muddy
color. They also change when subjected
to heat but will assume their natural vio-
let color when cooled of. Although the
amethyst Is not regarded as a very valuable
gem. yet this fact does not prevent a large
amount Of counterfeiting. but the counter
felt Is easily detected. the bogus gem being
about one-fourth heavier than the genuine
THIS increased weight is given by the i'm
mense amount Of metallic oxides that are
used in coloring the counterfeits. The pure
amethyst will resist acids. but can be cut
with file.