Amethyst
- HEX
- #9966CC
- RGB
- 153 102 204
- HSL
- 270° 50% 60%
- CMYK
- 25 50 0 20
Amethyst or Orchid?
Bluer and darker than orchid.
Language
Amethyst means 'not drunk'. The Greeks believed the stone kept its wearer sober. Anglican bishops often wear amethyst rings, traditionally explained as recalling Peter's words at Pentecost that the apostles were not drunk (Acts 2:15).
Science
Amethyst is quartz tinted by iron and natural radiation. Heat it and the violet turns yellow-brown, like citrine. Once ranked among the most precious gems, it lost most of its value after huge deposits were found in Brazil.
Kin
- Violet: The gem of violet quartz
- Yellow: Heated amethyst turns yellow and is sold as citrine
- Burgundy: Wine and its antidote: amethyst was worn against drunkenness
Sources
- Wikipedia, 'Amethyst' (etymology; iron and irradiation; bishops' rings; Brazil)
Hex values are screen approximations. Every page lists its sources.