Amethyst beads are a transparent light to dark saturation gemstone displaying violetish Purple to reddish Purple hues in the Quartz Species. Greeks thought the stone had magical properties to protect the wearer from over indulgance. Earth`s natural radition of iron trace elements cause the purple color of Amethyst. One of the most highly prized gemstones, Amethyst has been used in religious and royal jewelry for centuries. The gem is mined in Brazil, Africa, South Africa, Uruguay, US (Arizona), Canada, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.