Ancient Greek History

Ancient Greeks maintained that amethyst held many beneficial powers. Among the most important of these is it's ability to protect from drunkenness. Wearers of amethyst jewelry, such as necklaces and rings, or drinking from a cup fashioned from amethyst seemed to be immune to becoming intoxicated. The origin of amethyst is also related to Greek Mythology in a parable about the god Dionysus and the goddess Dianna

Greek Mythology

Amethyst

The origin of amethyst name and even explanation for some of it's healing properties have been founded in the Greek mythology surrounding this semi-precious stone. Amethyst's origin resides with the god Dionysus (Bacchus) and the goddess Diana. Dionysus, the god of wine, celebration, intoxication and joviality, found insult by a mortal who had refused him acknowledgement. Enraged with anger Dionysus vowed to unleash his fury upon all mortals who did not partake in his gifts of wine and drunkenness. He immediately spotted a young maiden named Amethyst who was pure and unfamiliar with being intoxicated. The unsuspecting young virgin, who was on her way to pay homage to the goddess Diana, was detained by the wrathful god. Dionysus summoned two fiercely voracious tigers to devour the youth and sat back with his wine to watch. Amethyst cried out to Diana. When Diana saw what was about to transpire she quickly transformed the young mortal into a glimmering pure white stone (quartz) to protect her from the vicious wrath of Dionysus. Moved with pity Dionysus realized the ruthlessness of his actions and began to weep with sorrow. As the tears dripped into his goblet Dionysus collapsed and the tear-tainted wine ran out onto the stone from the tipped cup. The white stone then absorbed the color from the wine creating the stone now called amethyst.

Agate

Agate is transparent to opaque, and ranges in a variety of beautiful colors. It was named after the Achates River in Sicily, now known as the Drillo River, which remains a major source. Highly valued by ancient civilizations; the Egyptians used it prior to 3000 BC. Agate was discovered with the Stone Age man in France 20,000-16,000 BC