amethyst

American  

[am-uh-thist] / ˈæm ə θɪst /

noun

1. a purple or violet quartz, used as a gem.

2. a purplish tint.

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adjective

1. having the color of amethyst.

2. containing or set with an amethyst or amethysts.

   an amethyst brooch.

amethyst British  

/ ˈæmɪθɪst, ˌæmɪˈθɪstaɪn /

noun

1. a purple or violet transparent variety of quartz used as a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2

2. a purple variety of sapphire; oriental amethyst

3. the purple colour of amethyst

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amethyst Scientific  

/ ăm′ə-thĭst /

1. A purple or violet, transparent form of quartz used as a gemstone. The color is caused by the presence of iron compounds in the crystal structure.

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Usage

What does amethyst mean? Amethyst is a transparent purple gemstone. It is a variety of quartz whose color can range from pale lilac to a deep purple with red or blue undertones. Amethyst is considered a semiprecious gem, which is a label assigned to some gemstones that have a lesser value than those considered precious. The darkest varieties of amethyst are usually valued the highest. It is sometimes mistaken for more expensive precious stones, such as purple sapphire. Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. It is associated with the zodiac signs Aquarius and Pisces. The word amethyst is also sometimes used to refer to a purple color, like that of the stone. Example: The brilliant purple amethyst really made the necklace stand out.

Other Word Forms

• amethystine
  adjective
• amethystlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of amethyst

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin amethystus, from Greek améthystos “not intoxicating, not intoxicated” (so called from a belief that it prevented drunkenness), equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + methys- (variant stem of methýein “to intoxicate”; see methylene) + -tos, adjective suffix; replacing Middle English ametist, from Anglo-French, ametiste, from Latin

Explanation

An amethyst is a purple stone, a type of quartz that's used to make jewelry. Polished amethysts are used for rings, pins, earrings, and necklaces. Amethysts sparkle with light — they are partly translucent and vary in color from a pale pinkish-purple to a deep violet. Amethysts were used to make ornaments and jewelry in ancient Egypt and are the birthstone for the month of February. The word amethyst comes from a Greek root, amethystos, which literally means "not intoxicating," from a-, "not," methyskein, "make drunk," based on the ancient belief that the stone could prevent drunkenness.

Example Sentences

Heyward co-hosted a fundraiser with his wife last week where Pratt was smudged with sage before standing in front of a giant amethyst geode to address about 125 people.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

On Monday, Giorgio Armani also presented velvets and cashmere of green, blue and amethyst shades, four months after the death of the legendary designer aged 91.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

One was an amethyst gem depicting a Cupid - the Roman god of love - riding a dolphin, which Mr Birbiglia bought for £42 in May 2016.

From BBC • May 27, 2024

The shade of the jacket is an oft-underrated neutral, pairing nicely with virtually any other piece in your suitcase, maybe even amethyst or royal blue too.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2024

It was simple: crafted of silver, its only ornamentation lay in the fingernail-sized amethyst embedded in its center.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Related Words

• color
• lavender
• lilac
• mauve
• periwinkle
• plum
• violet