The word ‘amethyst’ is derived from the Greek word ‘amethystos’, meaning “not drunk”. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed amethyst could ward off drunkenness, wearing the gemstone or incorporating it into drinking vessels in the hope of remaining clear-headed. Water served in goblets made from this precious stone took on a reddish hue, which helped deceive the host and allowed one to remain sober during the meal by avoiding wine. In Egypt, on the other hand, amethyst was the stone of Cleopatra’s signet ring, while during the Middle Ages it became a symbol of absolute power, even capable of protecting against evil and negative thoughts. What makes it instantly recognisable is above all its purple colour, which can appear delicate and milky or intense, enriched by blue or reddish hues: a rich palette that can easily be recreated on your nails with an amethyst-coloured polish that combines the stone’s transparency with the vibrancy of purple, creating nail art that shifts with light, opacity and finish. And who knows—maybe it will become a precious amulet to wear every day.
The “powers” of amethyst focus on the mental and spiritual realms as a stone of calm, balance and intuition and today, these virtues can be applied directly to your fingertips. The properties of chromotherapy can also come into play: the amethyst purple colour is the hue of transformation and balance between energy and control, capable of amplifying intuition, stimulating inspiration and conveying an immediate sense of regality, confidence and deep serenity to the wearer, while combating negativity. It can range from a cool, medium purple with a distinct blue undertone to more reddish, almost raspberry-like hues.
It’s not a lilac or a pastel purple, nor is it a darker plum: it’s vivid and luminous, best worn semi-sheer to replicate the gem’s natural effect or opaque with a glossy top coat to mimic its brilliance.
How to pair amethyst nail polish
Amethyst nails can flatter any skin tone. What varies is the nail polish shade you choose and the contrast you wish to achieve with your complexion. On fair skin, for example, deep amethyst shades define the nails boldly, while more delicate shades create a lighter effect. On medium and dark skin tones, on the other hand, a bright or slightly metallic purple allows the colour to stand out, while a very dark amethyst polish creates a more subtle, tone-on-tone look.
