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”; 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

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

Occasionally they’re interrupted by bursts of jewel-tone color — ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2024

If the shop owner doesn’t know, or can only say that their amethyst comes from Brazil—one of the world’s top producers—that’s a red flag.

From National Geographic • Feb. 5, 2024

It was shaped like a bottle and had ribbons of color, aqua green and amethyst purple, that spiraled up its glass surface like stripes of paint.

From Washington Times • Dec. 21, 2023

And as the sun’s rays peeked out of the horizon, turning the sky into an amethyst haze, the canoe people sang in a language I’d never heard before.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

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