Large Amethyst & Chalcedony Statement Necklace

Amethyst smooth chunks, 3mm Blue Chalcedony, knotted on silk thread, sterling silver clasp, 20.5” long

Amethyst (Greek for 'non drunken') is the most highly valued stone in the quartz group. There are mines all over the world but the most well known are in Brazil. It has been prized for it’s beauty and legendary energies for thousands of years; it is known to have been used by the Neolithic people in Europe since at least as early as 25,000 B.C. it has long been viewed as a stone of royalty, being used in crowns, scepters and the rings of Bishops. The greeks believed Amethyst would prevent intoxication, calm anger, and relieve frustrated passion. It is also good for protection, purification, and the release of addictions.

Chalcedony’s name may have been derived from the Greek city of Chalcedon. It is made up of fibrous layers of Quartz giving it its telltale stripes (a main difference between Chalcedony and Jasper, which forms in more sugar-like grains), although macroscopically it displays radiating, stalactitic, grape-like or kidney shapes. Deposits of Chalcedony are found all over the world; Brazil, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, and California all have mines of it. They can vary greatly in color, pattern, origin, and name but was commonly used to make cameos starting in ancient times. Some of the most popular Chalcedonies are Carnelian, Chrysoprase, and Bloodstone.