A Witch's Guide to Crystals and Their Meanings, Uses, and Origins

Amethyst

Scientific Makeup: Violet to red-purple quartz. Same formula as quartz, but with iron added. Hardness of 7.

Environment: Quartz is a good rock forming mineral, and amethyst is often found inside quartz geodes.

Found in: Gem quality versions found in Brazil, Uruguay, Japan, and the Ural Mountains. Very deep colored versions found in quarries in Patterson, New Jersey. Drusy (paler in color) versions  very common in silver mines in Mexico. Some variations found in the Four Peaks area of Arizona.

Magick and Legend: Connected with magick for over 2,000 years. Believed by the Greeks to be a preventer of drunkenness and alcoholism. One of the few stones suggested for men to attract women. Can be used to increase psychic awareness, or to sharpen the "sixth sense". Considered to be a very spiritual stone, and often kept with I-Ching, tarot, or rune cards. Very helpful in calming those who are anxious or "hyper to a destructive point".  The birthstone of February:

"The February-born shall find
Sincerity, and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they the Amethyst will wear."

Healing: Major stone of the crown chakra. Helps with extrasensory perception. Used for healing of the nervous system and brain.

Note: Heat treating amethyst turns it to a brown or yellow. This is how many citrines are made.