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Bible Encyclopedias
Amethyst
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
or The word thus translated in the common version is in Hebrew Achlamah and is the name of the precious stone mentioned in Scripture as the ninth in the breastplate of the high-priest (Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12): in the New Testament the precise word amethyst (which is Greek) designates the twelfth stone in the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20).
The transparent gems called amethysts are of a color which seems composed of a strong blue and deep red; and according as either of these prevails, exhibit different tinges of purple, sometimes approaching to violet, and sometimes declining even to a rose color. All the varieties of it are comprehended under two species, the Oriental Amethyst and the Occidental Amethyst. The Oriental amethyst is very scarce, and of great hardness, luster, and beauty. It is in fact a rare variety of the adamantine spar, or corundum. Next to the diamond, it is the hardest substance known. It contains about 90 per cent, of alumine, a little iron, and a little silica. Of this species, emery, used in cutting and polishing glass, etc. is a granular variety. To this species also belongs the sapphire, the most valuable of gems next to the diamond; and of which the Oriental amethyst is merely a violet variety. Like other sapphires, it loses its color in the fire, and comes out with so much of the luster and color of the diamond, that the most experienced jeweler may be deceived by it.
The more common, or Occidental amethyst, is a variety of quartz, or rock crystal, and is found in various forms in many parts of the world, as India, Siberia, Sweden, Germany, Spain; and even in England very beautiful specimens of tolerable hardness have been discovered. This also loses its color in the fire.
Amethysts were much used by the ancients for rings and cameos; and the reason given by Pliny—because they were easily cut—shows that the Occidental species is to be understood. The ancients believed that the amethyst possessed the power of dispelling drunkenness in those who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name. In like manner, the Rabbins derive its Jewish name from its supposed power of procuring dreams to the wearer.
Public Domain.
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Amethyst'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/kbe/a/amethyst.html.
