AMETHYST:
By: Gerson B. Levi
A variety of quartz of a clear purple or bluish violet color, much used as a precious stone. It is generally accepted that the Amethyst held the ninth place and was in the third row among the precious gems on the breast-plate of the high priest (Ex. xxviii. 19, xxxix. 12); but the derivation of the Hebrew name aḦlamah is unknown (see Precious Stones).
