Purple has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst has been so much in demand down through the ages. Amethyst,transparent purple quartz, is the most important and popular quartz variety used in jewelry. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence. Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, amethyst was very important in the ornamentation of Catholic and other churches in the Middle Ages. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it. Amethyst has come to be known as a power crystal with prolific healing powers which can be characterized as purifying, pacifying and transitional. Amethyst has the ability to transform lower energies into higher and acts as a healer at all levels of mind, body and spirit. The healing powers of Amethyst date back as far as the ancient Greeks who believed that Amethyst protected from the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Its very name translated means 'not drunken'. Mental Healing Amethyst as a healing stone contains sobering and calming qualities which allow this stone to be commonly associated with peace. Amethyst is known to calm and protect the mind. It soothes those who have engaged in constant rigorous mental activity. It has been deemed "nature's tranquilizer" by many healers because of it's effectiveness in relaxing not only the mind but also the nervous system. Those who wear amethyst jewelry and who have been recommended to wear this stone for healing purposes have done so because of its tranquil qualities and it's ability reduce negativity and alleviate anxiety. Besides being a stone of tranquility and repose, amethyst is also known to enhance mental strength, stability, and vigor. It also is protective in averting the mind from psychic attacks and transforming negative energy in to that of positive and tranquil tenacity. It is also used to bring understanding of all that is transitional, especially death and rebirth. It can provide security and peace of mind (along with understanding) when a loved one is lost or reborn. It is said to also have a relieving effect on stress, grief, depression, emotional despair and ineffective communication. There is a great deal written on the healing effects of this stone.