Amethyst History

Panorama Mine Thunder Bay

Amethyst was once revered as the “jewel of the gods”.

Amethyst is the official gemstone of the province of Ontario.

Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February, and the official gem for Wednesday, Jupiter and those born under the sign of Pisces.

Amethyst rings are traditionally worn by Bishops and some people believe that amethyst brings good luck to petitioners.

Amethyst has been used to symbolize deep love, happiness, humility, sincerity and wealth.

Long ago, farmers believed wearing amethyst would protect their crops from hailstones and locusts.

The Hebrew word for amethyst is “ahlamah” which means “dream”; thus, the stone was supposed to cause lovely dreams and visions… and if you dream of amethyst you will be free from harm.

Amethyst was the emblem for Matthew, one of the twelve apostles.

Leonardo da Vinci believed amethyst had the power to control evil thoughts, to quicken intelligence, and to make men shrewd in business matters.

History

Amethyst Mine was established in 1960. It is the largest amethyst deposit in North America. It was discovered in 1955 as a result of a road being built to the forest fire lookout tower visible from the mine site.

Amethyst production started in 1960 and the mine has produced continuously since then.

The mine produces 40% useable amethyst by volume. A large digging area, open to the public, contains 20% useable amethyst and is the main source of “pick your own” amethysts.

Large amounts of amethyst are mined each year to replenish the digging area, provide landscape and garden stone and to supply the Amethyst Gift Centre and Other locations  in Thunder Bay. Amethyst Mine Panorama has 60-70 years of reserves and will be providing amethyst for years to come. The exceptional variety of amethyst crystals makes Amethyst Mine Panorama well worth visiting!

Legend of Amethyst MineMillions of years ago the great wine god Bacchus was angered by the insults of man. He vowed to let his man-eating tigers destroy the first human they could catch.

A beautiful princess named Amethyst was travelling from the shores of Thunder Bay to worship at the shrine of the goddess Diana on the highest hilltop. Hearing the beasts roar, she climbed up to Elbow Lake hoping to escape by canoe. No canoe could be found and alas, Amethyst believed she would be killed.

Amethyst quickly climbed into a nearby crystal cave praying for help. The goddess Diana, hearing the maiden’s prayer, sealed the princess safely into the cave.

Bacchus, now remorseful and ashamed, poured red wine on the cave. The wine stained all the crystals in the cave, creating the beautiful gemstone Amethyst and freeing the princess.

So strong is this legend that people all over the world believe the gods guarantee the wearer of Amethyst will always be healthy and protected from the results of over-indulgence.

These brilliant purple coloured gems are still mined today in the cave at Amethyst Mine Panorama.