Amethyst Gemstone Jewelry and Their History

Sponsored post (sponser links removed due to non-payment)

Last weekend on Ribbons and Pearls, the talk was of the lovely ruby gemstone and their history. Oh, and of course three nice ruby gemstones.

Tonight, we're going with amethyst, my birthstone. From beautiful deep violet shades to light lavender, I can hardly ever resist a long gaze at an amethyst stone -- doesn't matter if it's sitting on a shelf as a book end or a white gold band. I love em'! I think most of you would agree that amethyst is one of the most beautiful gemstones of all, right?

And they just so happen to have an even more interesting history than those pretty little rubies do! Let's just take a dive into the history of these babies, then you can scroll to see the lovely pieces of jewelry we've picked out as favorites this week. Of course it was a tough one considering how many beautiful pieces of amethyst jewelry that's available.

You know how some objects, like black diamonds were believed to ward off evil, or how symbols have been used throughout history as a means to protect the wearer from evil spirits and such?

Well, Amethyst was believed by Ancient Greeks and Romans to have this strange ability (and it's really strange. Just you wait!) to provide its owner with protection from becoming drunk or intoxicated. I'm not even kidding.

So, due to this strange belief, back in the ancient-y days, these Ancient Greeks and Romans would drink from cups made of amethyst  all because they believed they wouldn't get drunk! They also wore the amethyst gemstone as jewelry thinking this would suffice and they could drink themselves merry without actually... well, becoming very merry!

It's also been believed that carrying an amethyst stone gives one protection from harm or negative things like sickness, thieves, etc.

Aside from that interesting belief about the gorgeous gemstone, amethyst is still used today for its supposed healing properties, as are other things like crystals. I actually don't find this one so far-fetched as I tend to believe that stones do have energy, which explains my constant use of salt rock lamps.

Amethyst  has quite a few uses. It's been used as remedies for ailments, even acne (by spitting on the stone and applying or rubbing the stone on the affected area).  Amethyst is believed to detoxify the body, treat ailments of the nervous system and brain (think headache), to promote clearer thinking, and even stress,  insomnia and nightmares if the stone is  placed under the pillow at night and even melancholy.

Interestingly enough, people also use amethyst in ridding themselves of addictions because they say the amethyst has the ability to give one inner strength.

Those who are "in touch" with their pineal gland (very interesting stuff!) may find it interesting to know that amethyst is thought to be a "target" for this area and possibly be helpful in development of psychic abilities or things like manifestation or meditation.

Chinese Medicine uses the amethyst gemstone to treat stomach pain and nightmares.

These aren't even the full of what amethyst is said to be capable of when used by a person. It's really intriguing, so go take a look for yourself to read the full "properties" of this amazing gem. I wouldn't say it's crazy to believe something so old and beautiful could carry some kind of beneficial property. Would you? Some of the claims are a bit hard to fully believe, but I'd bet some of them are helpful. What do you guys think?

The best of both worlds for a diamond and amethyst lover, this Amethyst Diamond Gemstone Ring features a gorgeous violet shade amethyst along with a diamond encrusted ring setting. Can you say icing on the cake?

Who wouldn't be ecstatic to ward off negative events by wearing this hunk of burning beauty?

And you could always add an amethyst and crystal bracelet to that mix. You know, to be extra sure you ward off negative.

    

Equally as beautiful, especially for the person who loves heart-shaped jewelry, but has a collection full of the typical red is this one:

Black Diamonds and Mythology

                                   

Ya'll must know by now, the extent of which I adore black diamonds. I think they are gorgeous and I’m seduced by the mysterious look black diamonds carry. 

 

(Image source: www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk)

Perhaps this "mysterious-ness" I get from a piece of jewelry encrusted with black diamonds comes from knowing that their history dates all the way back to the medieval times, and well, the medieval times definitely have a mysterious air about them.

Black diamonds, in their smoky, dark beauty give me the feeling of temptation, and something about them just screams "lusty."  Or maybe it’s my weird mind that causes me to see a piece of jewelry and associate it as  something “lusty,” “seductive,” or “mysterious.” 

It’s only jewelry! 

But I can’t help it. Don’t judge me.

If you look, don’t you notice that those three words suit a black diamond eerily well? See, it isn’t just me.

It is possible, also, that  I associate black diamonds with mystery because of the strange mythology surrounding them.  

For example , in some places, like  India, black diamonds were thought to be cursed and owning them could even result in death! Perhaps it's the black color that makes people think of death. It is true that dark colors, especially black, are associated with death (example: black clothing is worn at funerals).

Or it could also be that black diamonds are impure  forms of polycrystalline diamonds, and the word “impure” does somewhat indicate negative things, and well, death is about as negative as things can get.

Negativity aside, in Italy, black diamonds are a completely different story.

There, it was believed that black diamonds, when touched, had the ability to "fix" marriage problems for a couple by, basically, "absorbing" the troubles of their marriage after rubbing the  black diamond.

Mythology such as that surrounding black diamonds, (the creepy type) has always intrigued me, but throw in the beauty of black diamonds and you have me hooked! I could certainly find myself absorbed in a fiction novel of this topic.

Since we’re on the topic, let's have a look at some of the totally breath-taking black diamond jewelry (from Avianne and Co., of course!)

Black Diamond Jewelry has always stood out to me, and since Ribbons and Pearls often posts for Avianne and Co. I thought I'd dedicate this particular post to lovely black diamonds, starting with the almost retro-ish Heart Pendant with BlackDiamonds: 

And with what almost appears to be tiny slivers of silver ice sandwiched between rectangles of black diamonds, the Women's Diamond Pendant featured below took my breath away at first click.

This is what I call a one-of-a-kind statement pendant.

For those of you who never thought a black piece of jewelry could be so intriguing (or should I use the word "mysterious" again? It is fitting, you have to admit!), I present to you:

The Women's Diamond Onyx Ring

Okay, the glamorous Onyx ring does not feature actual black diamonds, but the gem is black and plenty gorgeous enough to make the list of breath-taking black jewelry!

 The onyx gem -- from that particular angle -- has a velvet-y appearance.

The onyx, lined with diamonds couldn't have been more perfectly crafted, from the shape to the texture to size.

The Onyx gem comes to a sharp point in the center, which is unique in itself, then you have the texture of the gem -- also unique.

Rave Attic Gorgeous and unique!

I have gotten 2 items from the adorable Rave Attic. One is a beautiful dress and the one I'm posting on now is a super cute hair accessory. I decided to save the dress for my next post since I wanted to put up photos of it and haven't had a chance too (it's been too cold to wear it!) I've been about to go crazy to wear this thing and as soon as I got it the weather went from hot to freezing! Bummer! Anyways, I can still show you a sneek peak. The hair piece is just lovely! 

  It's a pretty hot pink and black zebra print design which is my fav! Matches my bedroom... and like over half of my wardrobe! It has a beautiful diamond thingy in the middle of the flower. It's just gorgeous!

 
  The flower hair piece has a metal slide-y thing on the back to hold in your hair and it actually holds up very well! I usually cant get much hair in one of these without wearing a pony tail and then poking the hair bow into it, but it will hold up a good hunk of hair very well! The clip secures the hair in place even if you're going for a little bump on the top. It's comfortable and doesn't poke or dig in.