The Crystal and Mineral Vault


Welcome to our Crystal and Mineral Knowledge Hub, where science tradition and mindful practice come together. This space is dedicated to exploring the formation properties and cultural associations of crystals and minerals through Mineral Vault profiles and practical guides designed to encourage informed discovery and deeper understanding.

Go to our Mineral Guides for science based knowledge and the 'How to Guides' for spiritual practices.

Amethyst cut base

The Crystal and Mineral Vault

Amethyst: The Stone That Sobered Up Ancient Greeks and Bankrupted the Gem Trade

by Laura Konst
Amethyst was once classified alongside Diamond, Ruby, and Emerald as a cardinal gemstone, reserved for royalty and bishops. Brazilian deposits in the nineteenth century changed that entirely. Today it is the world's most widely collected crystal, its purple colour produced by a radiation-driven iron mechanism that heat destroys — which is also how most commercial Citrine is made.