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 We have a large variety of amethyst items, most of which is local!
Including Inukshuks, pen sets, clocks, and rocks with detailed pewter animals each piece is highly unique. Many pieces can have an engraved plate applied creating a truly one of a kind gift!
Each piece of amethyst comes with a beautiful full colour pamphlet with the information contained below.
The Legend of Amethyst
Although the reasons for the striking purple hue of amethyst are now known, the original naming of this gemstone stems from Greek mythology. In the legend, the god Dionysus, enraged by an insult, vows to set his tigers upon the first mortal to cross his path. A young girl, on her way to the shrine of the goddess Diana, comes upon the tigers. To protect her, Diana transforms her into 'rock crystal' (quartz). The remorseful Dionysus pours a goblet of wine onto the crystal in offering to the girl. This gives the crystal a purple hue and the name 'amethyst' which derives from the Greek word meaning 'not drunken'.
Amethyst is used to symbolize deep love, happiness, sincerity and wealth.
Amethyst Facts
Natural amethyst, a variety of quartz, ranges in colour from very pale violet to dark purple, sometimes coated with a reddish brown film of hematite. The colour is caused by iron ion replacing silicon ions in quartz; the iron is then ionized with low level natural radiation from the surrounding rocks. These six sided purple crystals are found in thin sheet like intrusions in crevices called veins and in vugs - pockets within rock where trapped liquids and gases have created an environment suitable for crystal formation.
Ontario's Natural Beauty & Thunder Bay's Treasure
Amethyst is valued not only for its striking colour and rarity, but for its reflective nature and its durability. Such qualities led to the selection in 1975 of amethyst as Ontario's mineral emblem and the birthstone for February.
While occurring worldwide, amethyst is in rich supply along Lake Superior's north shore near Thunder Bay. It is also found in Bancroft and North Bay areas. The first large deposit in the Thunder Bay area was discovered in 1955 in McTavish Township, east of Thunder Bay, although the earliest mention of amethyst dates back to the 1600s. Amethyst crystal in the Thunder Bay area formed in cavities during the faulting of the Lake Superior basin. Here they are found with other minerals such as pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, barite, calcite, fluorite, and native silver.
The inukshuk figures feature local amethyst with bases made of either gray diabase from the Current River or brown/red mud stone from the Sibley formation (Mount McKay or the Sleeping Giant).
For more information on amethyst, please contact the Resident Geologist's Office at Thunder Bay, Sudbury or Tweed; or visit this site. |
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