The Duchess has worn in on multiple occasions, paired with her oval-cut amethyst drop earrings, including the premiere of Skyfall at Royal Albert Hall in 2012.ĭated to the Napoleonic era, this fabulous parure features enormous purple gemstones. One of the most beautiful jewels Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was seen with is a gorgeous heart-shaped amethyst and pearl necklace.Ī wedding present from Queen Alexandra to the Queen Mother in 1923, the amethyst heart necklace was gifted to Camilla by the Queen. Some believed the colors alluded to the wounds and suffering of Christ. Its purplish and reddish hues represented the chastening and purifying effects of suffering. This gem was also prized by members of the clergy in the Middle Ages for they thought that amethyst's color represented the purity of spirit. This is why it was used to decorate royal jewels. Its color is traditionally associated with royalty. The Greeks used to use amethyst cups to drink their wine. However, Artemis turned Amethyst into a crystal statue so that the tigers can't harm her.ĭionysus understood he was wrong and overcome with remorse, he wept into his wine which splashed on the statue and turned it purple. In a rage, Dionysus summoned a pair of tigers to kill young Amethyst. A maiden named Amethyst crossed his path and refused to partake since she was on her way to honor the goddess of the hunt, Artemis. It probably comes from a Greek legend that tells that the god of wine and pleasure, Dionysus, angered by an insult, decided to revenge on mortals who refused to partake in his gifts, which were wine and intoxication. The name of this gemstone - Amethyst - comes from the Greek 'amethystos' (‘not drunken’), for the stone was believed to prevent intoxication with alcohol. For example, the pharaohs wore it as a pendant.

Amethyst has been used since ancient times.

French amethyst purple