Ametrine
by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2007
I am embarrassed. For years I put off learning about the beautiful bi-colored Ametrine crystal. I simply dismissed it as a gem that carries both the energies of Amethyst and Citrine. Fortunately from the moment I picked up my Ametrine companion for this month's studies I began to learn differently.
Ametrine is very much its own crystal, with its own dramatic formation process, its own unique energies and its own story. I have done this incredible crystal a great disservice by assuming its attributes are merely a combination of its siblings' energies.
Ametrine crystals grow in pegmatites and geodes that formed during Andean mountain building process in Bolivia and Brazil. These processes resulted in a treasure trove of gems and crystals throughout South America. However in the ancient tribal lands of the Aureiros, there is one mine where the perfect conditions existed for Ametrine crystals to grow.
Geologists know that when you heat and/or expose Amethyst to radiation it will become Citrine. This transformation takes place in both the laboratory and in nature. There are even situations where Citrine has turned back into Amethyst. It all has to do the with state of the Iron ion. When the Iron ion is exposed to enough heat or radiation is oxidizes and turns yellowish orange. If the Iron ion remains a slightly cooler temperatures its colors are cooler (i.e. purple).
In order for the Iron to produce both colors within the same crystal, very specific conditions have to be present. Not only does one area of the crystal have to be exposed to more heat, while another section is slightly cooler; this dual temperature condition has to remain stable during the entire growth cycle of the crystal. Geologist theorize that a deep vent within the Anahi mine created just the right amount of heat, flowing in just the right
direction to cause one area of the forming crystals to stay "hotter" than the rest. Creating the perfect balance to form Ametrines. Otherwise, these magical gems would have become Amethysts or Citrines.
Only two places on the entire planet had just the right circumstances to form Ametrine Crystals. The Anahi Mine in Bolivia and the Hyderabad Mine in India. The Bolivian mine yields about 90% of the Ametrines being marketed today. In 1999 a new area of the mine was opened near Pozo Rico and a huge cavern of
Ametrine crystals was discovered. This crystal covered cave measures 4 meters x 3 meters x 1 meter. India's Ametrine is primarily Amethyst with small Citrine zones and lack the rich bi-coloring found in the Bolivian specimens.
In addition to Ametrine, this delightful gem is marketed under the names Bolivianite, Tristine and Bicolored Amethyst.
This multi-colored gemstone seems to also have a double history. Most geological references state that Ametrine was first brought to the market in the 1970s. Except there is another story about this special crystal that dates back to the conquistadors.
During the 17th century, a conquistador named Don Felipe married Anakha, the princess to the Aureiros tribe of Bolivia. The mine, named Anahi for the princess, was given to him as part of her dowry. When it came time for Felipe to return to Spain, his princess bride wished to return with him. As the couple attempted to depart, angry tribesmen turned on them and murdered the young princess. The duo colored gem is said to represent the princess' two loyalties; to her husband and to her tribe.
Upon his return to Spain, Felipe presented his unique dowry crystal to the King (or Queen depending on the reference). This appears to be the last time white humans will hear about or see the gem until the late 20th century.
However, descendants of the Aureiros tribe were mining Ametrines until the very last of the 19th century and trading them in the Pueto Suares markets of Brazil.
Today the bi-colors of the Ametrine is extremely popular in the jewelry trade. Despite its rarity, this special Quartz crystal remains very reasonably priced. Cutters have developed new faceting techniques and elongated rectangles shapes to show off this gem's delightful duality.
The Ametrine's duality also makes it a powerful companion for creative, healing and psychic workings. Purple and gold/yellow are opposite of each other on the color wheel, and yet are very complimentary to each other. A royal purple robe is even more stunning when decorated with gold trim.
In this one crystal you can utilize the cool dark powers of the purple night and the bright warm strength of the sunny day. If you perform readings, work in the astral plane, wish to communicate with spirits, energies and guides in alternative worlds, Ametrine is extremely effective at opening these psychic
doorways. It will provide protection as you journey through these unfamiliar landscapes, and light your way back to familiar ground.
For those engaged in more mundane activities, Ametrine teaches you to balance your physical activities with your spiritual hunger. Workaholics learn to pause and enjoy the many fruits your labors can provide. Procrastinators discover the empowering joy of completing a task and the rewards you reap when a goal is achieved. Those that walk among the clouds suddenly find purpose in touching the Earth.
If you walk with fear, your Ametrine crystal will reveal your hidden warrior. If you move with detailed precision, executing well thought out plans, your gem will show you the power of serendipity.
If your eyes are blind to the plight of others, this stone will help you see the connection and responsibility you share with every resident of our planet. If one child is hungry, your own plate can never be full. If one being is homeless, your own home can never be warm.
Ametrine teaches you these simple, unrelenting connections. There is no life without death. You can not know joy if you have not known sadness. Your are not safe as long as another is in danger.
Meditations with Ametrine will help you achieve calm quicker, allowing you to more easily access alternative states. Portals to new dimensions, new perceptions and new ideas are open for you to discover your greatest potential.
Like its other Quartz siblings and cousins, Ametrine can be a powerful healing tool. Its dual nature makes it very effective at removing blockages in any Chakra, assisting you in achieving a healthy physical balance. The gem's dark nature helps to release emotional damage and replace the void left behind with healing light. Often, injured humans are afraid to let go of the damage. They would much rather feel the pain, then face the prospect of feeling nothing at all.
Ametrine Elixirs may help to remove toxins from the body. It may also be beneficial in lessening or alleviating some of the symptoms of physical illness. Your body may be less achy from fever, and your head less miserable with congestion if you are carrying an Ametrine while sick.
The gem may improve immunity and assist the body in absorbing oxygen. Patients preparing for implants or artificial limbs and organs may find an Ametrine companion helps their body become more accepting of the foreign object.
