www.jonber.com
AMETHYST
by Jon Ber
In Greek, Amethyst means "Against Drunkenness" from the
belief that the stone inserted in water, will turn a drunk
person sober instantly. It doesn't work.
February's birthstone, Amethyst stars in some of the better
known jewels of all time, such as the Royal British Crown.
Its name, became synonymous with the color purple.
In Greek, Amethyst means "Against Drunkenness" from the
belief that the stone inserted in water, will turn a drunk
person sober instantly. It doesn't work.
It is reputed by many as a healing spiritual stone that
helps in the achievement of the ultimate meditation state
of mind - Nirvana.
Among other qualities attributed to Amethyst is its ability
to speed up thoughts & help in the maintenance of
celibacy.
Many of its best specimens come from the mountain towns
surrounding Belo Horizonte the state Capital of Minas
Geras, Brazil.
One such town, Teoflotoni, became a Mecca for traders
aspiring to "get to the source" instead of doing business
in the comfort of Rio's showrooms in Ipenema and Copa
Cabana. Accessible by narrow winding roads, the town's
Portuguese Influence blends with the African and South
American flavors of the people and architecture.
Small mine owners, "everybody in town has a mine" solicit
buyers on the streets, by presenting a handful of gems they
keep loose in their pants pocket .If interested, the buyers
are invited to a modest office, off the main road, to be
presented also, with other local gemstones such as the
magnificent Aqua Marine and Tourmaline. I was there twice.
Soon more.
Jon
Ber is the publisher of jonber.com, a former investigative
journalist and a traveler of seventy countries living in
North Carolina USA .