Amethyst is an incredibly well known crystal. Even those who aren’t particularly interested in crystal healing or geology would likely be able to list this crystal as among the most notable gemstones in the world. Amethyst is said to have first been discovered by humanity 25,000 years ago, and quickly became a highly desirable stone. Coveted for its gorgeous purple coloration, ancient Amethyst jewelry has been found and dated as far back as 2000 bc. The ancient Greeks had the most storied relationship with Amethyst. Depending on your interpretation, Amethyst holds the mythology of being colored violet by Dionysus (the Greek god of fruitfulness and wine), either by his tears or the wine from his goblet. In fact the name Amethyst is derived from the Greek word Amethystos, meaning “not drunk” as keeping this purple crystal on your person was said to keep your mind sober while drinking. As society developed, Amethyst was considered to be an incredibly rare gemstone typically reserved for the upper class. Only upon the discovery of vast Amethyst pockets in the mines of South America in the 1800s did Amethyst become readily available. This makes the majority of Amethyst today reasonably affordable, so it’s a perfect companion for anyone starting their crystal healing journey. Today we can all look at the history of Amethyst to confirm its incredible metaphysical properties. The way Amethyst can literally be translated to ‘sober mind’ is indicative of its incredible upper Chakra invigorating energies. Amethyst today is well known for how its serene violet energy is able to calm the mind, and help induce a peaceful meditative state. It’s incredible to think about how using Amethyst reminds us of how our human ancestors used it in their lives so similarly!