Amethyst is a purplish quartz obtained with manganese oxide
Quartz that is stained by the action of manganese oxide is called amethyst . The term comes from the Latin amethystus , in turn derived from the Greek améthystos .
Violet quartz
Before moving forward, it is important to note that quartz is a mineral composed of silica . When found in its pure state, it is colorless , while it acquires various shades according to the substance with which it is mixed.
In the case of amethyst, it is a violet quartz due to the intervention of manganese oxide. Amethyst is used as a precious stone , being used for the manufacture of jewelry .
Generally the ends of the amethyst have the strongest violet color. This tone degrades until it becomes colorless. It is important to note that the appearance of amethyst also changes with heat , and can become brownish, yellow, orange or greenish depending on the degrees Celsius.
Properties
Although amethyst resists the action of acids very effectively, it is important to note that the same does not occur with high temperatures, to which it is very vulnerable. So much so, that if it is subjected to a temperature higher than 300 degrees Celsius, its color changes, losing one of its most particular physical characteristics, and becomes green, orange, yellow or brownish brown. The new color is not the same in all amethyst units, but depends on factors such as its place of origin and its quality.
The scientific cause behind this color change is above all that the valence of the iron in its composition is also modified. Another curious fact is that if the amethyst is subjected to irradiation, it may recover its original tone; Regarding the residual radioactivity that many fear after this type of treatment of precious stones, authorities in this field point out that it lasts a short time and that when they reach the market they no longer represent a danger to people.
A characteristic that differentiates amethyst from other stones that also undergo heat treatments is that it exhibits dichroism in two shades of purple: reddish and bluish. In this framework, dichroism is understood as a property that splits a beam of light into monochromatic beams. Regarding the degree to which it absorbs the light spectrum, it is not particular. The grouping of crystals known as twinning occurs in the rhombohedron-shaped amethyst, and leaves a series of parallel marks that in everyday speech are called tiger scratches or zebra stripes .
The color
It should be noted that amethyst is also the name of the color that resembles the one exhibited by this type of quartz. The color amethyst is even referred to as amethyst purple or amethyst violet .
Given its characteristics and the relationship that purple has with royalty in the unconscious, it is a color that arouses admiration and evokes power . An amethyst piece of clothing can be very elegant, just as a vehicle can speak of its high price and exclusive character.
In the field of jewelry, amethyst is very precious
The DC Comics character
Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld , finally, is a DC Comics character who has her own comic book and animated series. The story revolves around Amy Winston , a teenager who discovers that she is a princess of a magical world known as Gemworld . Upon learning of a villain's evil plans, he makes the decision to head to Gemworld to confront him.
The character first appeared in 1983 . In addition to being present in magazines and series, Amethyst, princess of Gemworld also had forays into cinema .