large Siberian amathyst mounted as a jewel with diamond-set honeysuckle motifs, c. 1810. At a later date it was made the centre of this amathyst and diamond tiara in the form of vine leaves that are a witty allusion to the purple stones. The word 'amathyst' derives from the Greek amethustos, literally meaning 'not drunken', referring to the belief that an amathyst placed in a glass of wine would allow one to drink without fear of intoxication. In the lore of the ancient lapidaries, the…
{}