A Roman Amethyst Bead Pendant, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE

A pretty translucent amethyst bead of ovoid shape. The bead form is a little irregular, as is to be expected from the hand-polishing process used in the fabrication.   Set as a modern 14K yellow gold teardrop pendant on an 18" adjustable chain of 18K yellow gold. Background: The name of this exquisite purple quartz crystal comes from the Greek word "amethystos" which literally translates as “remedy against drunkenness”. In antiquity, this stone was believed to keep the wearer sober no matter how much wine he might consume. All the great ancient civilizations valued the gem; it was particularly popular in Egypt for scarabs and in Greece and Rome for intaglio rings. Because of its wine-dark color and its use to prevent intoxication, many were carved with the head of the wine-god Dionysus.  Even today, the rings of high-ranking ecclesiastics often have amethysts as their center stones. Many wonderful and therapeutic properties are ascribed to the gem: it cleanses the body of impurities, k