I have an amethyst stone in my home that I used to pass by daily, without giving a second thought to its significance. In fact, this post was going to be about the gorgeous pinky-nude Sundays nail polish in shade no 4 I’m wearing in the above picture. But as I held the stone to snap some photos I was surprised by the energy I felt radiating through it. So, naturally, I had to look up all the history of amethyst and learned about its purported benefits which includes alleviating stress, healing imbalances and mood support. But, before we get into that, let’s delve into its history a little bit.

What is it?
It’s a popular form of quartz that can be found as a crystal or mass formation, and colors range from light to dark purple (depending on the mining source). A long time ago, it was seen as a precious gemstone (on the same level as rubies and emeralds), but due it’s abundance (thanks mother nature!), it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
Its name derives from the Greek word “amethystos”, which means “not drunken”, since it was believed to keep intoxication at bay and have a sobering effect.

What are its benefits?
So, there are no scientific studies that show that gemstones have any healing powers; however, stones have been long-documented for their ability to provide comfort and heal for centuries, and I believe that if the ideas have been around for so long, there must be some truth to it. Here are three popular claims about amethyst.

• Improves mood and insomnia/alleviates stress – The stone was thought to keep away negative thoughts and when placed under a pillow, it’s said it keep away nightmares and may even evoke prophetic dreams. It can also be placed in the bathroom to promote a relaxing bath or in a family room to promote open communication. If having a stressful day at work, it’s also recommended to take a break and utilize the stone for “spiritual air.”
• Protection – It’s believed that the stone forms a protective shield around the body of the person holding it, so its recommended to carry it when traveling or to keep safe during a deep state of meditation. It’s also believed to protect a person from negative thoughts of people who intend to harm you in some way.
• Stimulates the mind – It’s said to stimulate the third eye, crown and etheric chakras, enhancing perception, wisdom, intelligence, psychic ability, intuition and igniting creative ideas. When worn close to the head (ex: earring), it’s believed that it frees mental blocks and helps the wearer make clear decisions. For these reasons, it’s recommended to have the stone close by when making business decisions.