polish, the amethyst once held a high rank as a decorative
stone, perhaps next to the sapphire ; but for the reason of the
large importations from Brazil, its popularity declined in Europe, consequently its commercial value declined in corresponding ratio. As an illustration of this depreciation, it is stated,
on competent authority, that a necklace of amethysts formerlyvalued at ten thousand dollars would not now command as
many shillings. Most of the stones are cut in Germany, and
appear to the best advantage as brilliants with a rounded
table. They harmonize well with gold, diamonds, and pearls,
but do not make an attractive evening ornament. It is the
only one considered appropriate for mourning, and one of the
gems most suitable for sacerdotal use.
Of all the quartz varieties the amethyst has been, probably,
the most highly valued and the most frequently used for the
art of engraving, in all periods, but ancient intagli, of all
dates and in every style of work, occur almost invariably on
the light-colored specimens, so that an engraving on a dark
shade, says King, may be suspected as modern. Many Egyptian and Etruscan scarabei were on this variety of quartz.
Among engraved amethysts- of note was the gem bearing the
likeness of the Emperor Trajan, which fell into the hands of
Napoleon during his invasion of Prussia ; a bust of Antonia,
the daughter of Mark Antony ; the head of a Syrian king, in
the Pulsky collection ; and an engraving by Dioscorides, in the
National Library of Paris. Three superb oriental amethysts
are mentioned in the inventory of the crown jewels of France,
and a rare specimen, with bright red spots, or clouds, now
belongs to the French collection.
Quartz amethysts are found in nearly every country, though
Brazil, undoubtedly, yields the largest quantities, and like
those from Siberia, they are frequently of gigantic size.
