Treasure from Jackson Crossroads Mine

I was reading about lavender gemstones and thought, “Lavender, isn’t that a plant?”

Further reading discovered what they were really talking about.   Amethyst,the most precious gemstone within the quartz group. Ranging in color from pale lilac to deep reddish purple. this beautiful stone has the ability to transform lower energy into higher energy at all levels of mind, body and spirit.  A great healer, just holding a natural amethyst for several minutes, calms one’s spirit and encourages positive thoughts.

There is an amethyst mine in Georgia  where one can pay $25. for the day to actually go digging in the mine   Here is one treasure found in one of there dump piles.  The mine in question is: Jackson Crossroads Amethyst Mine, Tignall, Georgia.  Owner: terry Ledford

In ancient times the Greeks and Romans believed amethyst protected them from drunkenness, so they made lavender goblets and wore amethyst stones.  The word amethyst comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning” not drunken” There are even myths about Greek Gods using the stone.

It is the traditional birthstone for February, and the lavender or violet variety of Quartz.  It owes it’s purple color to irradiation and iron impurities as well as trace elements causing complex crystal shapes(lattice) At the same hardness as quartz,it is excellent for jewelry. Amethyst also produces something called FAR Infrared Rays.  These rays can revitalize the biological function of your cells, increasing the bodies healing power.  they also can be used for anti- bacterial agents and purifying the air. ( Resource: Biomatamethyst.com)  Professional massage therapists are now using amethyst mats and tables in their clinics.  ( I know of one therapist who would actually rather sleep on her amethyst massage table then in her bed.)

South Africa amethyst

The stone can be found in many countries, Austria, Russia, South America.  One of the largest mines is in Zambia in South Africa.    In North America it is found in many US states, as well as in Ontario and Nova Scotia in Canada.

The largest North American mine is in Thunder Bay Ontario.  Discovered in 1955 when a road to a forest fire look-out was being built. It has been in production ever since .  It also allows  “pick your own” from their dump piles like the one in Georgia.

Amethyst Mine Panorama has 60-7 0 years of reserves and will be providing amethyst  for many years to come. The exceptional variety of amethyst crystals makes Amethyst Mine Panorama well worth visiting!

Amethyst Mine Panarama, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Here is a legend from the Panarama mine at  http://www.amethystmine.com/history

(Being Canadian, I just had to add it here.  Of course, the same legend, in various forms, is all over the world)

Millions of years ago the great wine god Bacchus was angered by the insults of man. He vowed to let his man-eating tigers destroy the first human they could catch.

A beautiful princess named Amethyst was travelling from the shores of Thunder Bay to worship at the shrine of the goddess Diana on the highest hilltop. Hearing the beasts roar, she climbed up to Elbow Lake hoping to escape by canoe. No canoe could be found and alas, Amethyst believed she would be killed.

Amethyst quickly climbed into a nearby crystal cave praying for help. The goddess Diana, hearing the maiden’s prayer, sealed the princess safely into the cave.

Bacchus, now remorseful and ashamed, poured red wine on the cave. The wine stained all the crystals in the cave, creating the beautiful gemstone Amethyst and freeing the princess.

So strong is this legend that people all over the world believe the gods guarantee the wearer of Amethyst will always be healthy and protected from the results of over-indulgence.

These brilliant purple colored gems are still mined today in the cave at Amethyst Mine Panorama.

I am already planning an amethyst digging holiday.