Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)/Amethyst

by Matthew George Easton

Amethyst, one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:19; 39:12), and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20). The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from A_, "privative", and _methuo , "To get drunk". Its Jewish name, Ahlamah', was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word Halam, "to dream", from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream.

It is a pale-blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.