How to Use Amethyst

Co-authored by Edward Lewand and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: June 27, 2022 References

Wondering how you can use amethyst to improve your home and wellbeing? Amethyst is a pretty purple gemstone celebrated for its holistic properties. There’s far more to the gem than meets the eye and many easy ways to activate its mystical energy! Read on for this complete guide to cleansing, charging, and using amethyst in everyday life.

Section 1 of 4:

What is the spiritual meaning behind amethyst?

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Amethyst opens up the Third Eye and enhances spiritual wisdom. This powerful gemstone is believed to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.^{[1]
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Research source} It is associated with the Third Eye chakra, located at the center of the head and considered to be the seat of intuition, perception, and awareness. Because amethyst is related to the Third Eye, it enables and enhances our sixth sense.
- Sixth sense is a person’s ability to perceive things that aren’t visible to the naked eye. This is why amethyst’s meaning is linked with both intuition and spirituality.
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The gem has emotional and mental healing properties. It is traditionally connected with overcoming feelings of loss and grief, banishing intense feelings of anger, and bringing calm and clarity to our thoughts. Amethyst is also associated with creativity and personal transformation through its ability to instill peace and chase away negativity.^{[2]
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Amethyst is believed to promote physical healing. This sparkling gemstone is associated with restful sleep, a clear mind, a robust immune system, and sobriety (or the intention to reduce drinking). Because of its link to balance, restoration, and peace, amethyst is all about helping your body find its own internal harmony.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 4:

Uses for Amethyst

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Place amethyst in your office to enhance your focus. Feeling bogged down and stressed by your job? Amethyst is thought to bring calm and clarity to a clouded mind. Decorate your workspace with an amethyst geode, either on your desk, a shelf, or somewhere else easily accessible where it can help you hone your ability to concentrate on work and projects.^{[4]
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- Alternatively, you could pile a few smaller pieces of amethyst in a decorative dish or use a larger tower amethyst crystal as the centerpiece of your shelf or mantle.
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Keep a piece of amethyst by your bed to promote restful sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, store a small amethyst crystal in the bottom of your pillowcase. Otherwise, rest an amethyst gem on your bedside table. From either spot, amethyst is thought to send out calming energy to help lull you to sleep at night.^{[5]
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- Because it can help you relax before sleep, some even claim that amethyst brings good dreams and wards away bad ones.
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Hold a piece of amethyst to clear your mind during meditation. Is meditation or yoga part of your daily routine? Amethyst is used to enhance the experience and help you fully open up your mind to the experience of meditation. Either hold a small crystal in your hand to use its energy or place an amethyst close by as you meditate.^{[6]
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Wear an amethyst accessory to banish negativity and soothe anxiety. From bracelets to pendants and rings, there’s no shortage of amethyst jewelry and accessories. If you’re prone to anxiety, amethyst’s calming properties are thought to relieve symptoms of stress and panic attacks. Add amethyst accessories to your wardrobe and wear them throughout the day to combat your negative feelings.^{[7]
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- Amethyst also makes a fantastic gift for other people in your life prone to stress and anxiety.
- If you don’t like any gemstone accessories, you can always carry a small piece of amethyst in your pocket wherever you go.
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Keep amethyst in your pocket or wear it for inspiration and creativity. Because they promote clarity and focus, amethysts are used by artistic individuals to get the creative spirit flowing. Simply wear an amethyst accessory or carry a piece with you. When it’s time to brainstorm new ideas, sit in a quiet spot while holding the crystal gently.^{[8]
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Empower daily declarations while holding an amethyst. If your goal is to develop positive thinking by repeating daily uplifting affirmations to yourself, hold onto your amethyst crystal as you do it. The amethyst’s healing energy will help set the affirmations and make them feel more substantial.^{[9]
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- Alternatively, keep your amethyst in a visible spot that you can look to as you recite your daily affirmations.
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Activate Feng Shui by using amethyst crystals as decor. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that involves arranging your living space to achieve personal harmony and balance.^{[10]
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Research source} Since amethyst is strongly associated with calm, wisdom, and inner peace, it can be a powerful enhancer for the effects of Feng Shui in your home.
- Place amethyst in the “wealth” area of your home (the far left corner) to invite abundance into your life. Since wealth is linked to the color purple, a purple amethyst can activate the wealth principles of Feng Shui.
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Take a bath with your amethyst to boost physical and emotional healing. Either place the amethyst directly into the bath or on the side of the tub. Amethyst is thought to improve the effects of a relaxing bath since it promotes healing throughout your mind and body, as well as purification.^{[11]
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Research source} Bathtime is the perfect time to take in amethyst’s restorative energy!

Section 3 of 4:

Where to Place Amethyst on Your Body

Hold the amethyst on your head, hand, or chest to unlock its properties. Depending on where you place an amethyst gem, you can use its holistic energy to fuel your daily activities.^{[12]
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Research source} First, decide which property of the amethyst you want to channel based on its many uses above. Then, place an amethyst on the part of your body corresponding to the gem's power. For example:
- Place an amethyst on your forehead to stimulate creativity and relax your mind.
- Balance the amethyst on your palm or hold it in your hand to gain clarity and focus, and boost your awareness.
- Hold an amethyst to your chest to encourage a soothing, restful night of sleep.
- Keep an amethyst crystal in any pocket to promote daily peace, harmony, and inspiration.

Section 4 of 4:

Cleansing and Charging Amethysts

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Refresh the amethyst under rainwater or in a bowl of salt water. Before using amethyst in any of the different ways described above, cleansing and charging the gemstone is believed to enhance its abilities. Leave it outside and let rainwater clean your amethyst, or let the gemstone soak briefly in a bowl of salt water.^{[13]
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- Cleanse and charge your amethyst roughly once a month or every moon cycle. This is important because the amethyst can get overloaded with negative energy over time.
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Place your amethyst outside and charge it in the moonlight. Light is another effective form of cleansing and charging for crystals if you prefer not to get your amethyst wet. Set your amethyst directly on the ground outside before nightfall, and leave it there overnight. Go back outside, collect it before 11 the next morning, and rinse it off quickly to remove any dirt.^{[14]
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- Pure moonlight and close contact with the earth is a powerful energy source for amethyst. However, if you don’t want to place the gemstone outside, leaving it on a windowsill in the moonlight will also work.

Expert Q&A

Question

How expensive is a real amethyst?

Edward Lewand
Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry.

Edward Lewand

Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser

Expert Answer

A very high-quality amethyst can cost as much as $50 per carat wholesale. In reality, you can find them for a lot less money—a normal little piece of amethyst will only cost around $20 to $30 per carat.