The Amethyst

 

The Amethyst is a type of quartz which comes in colours ranging from a deep purple to a light pink tone. Until the 18th Century, it was considered rare and valuable - the Greeks also believed that it would prevent drunkenness, something that led to it also being respected by Christians as a symbol of purity.  However, a large deposit was discovered in the Rio Grande do Sul region in Brazil, leading it to becoming the primary source for Amethysts. They are also now found and available to people around the world.