When it comes to crystals and their potential hidden or spiritual meanings, there are very few that have the same symbolism as purple. It carries such a massive range of meanings among people, that its appearance in nature cannot help but mean something.
We see it plenty in symbolism for flowers, and the same is true for gemstones and crystals too.
So, to help you get a better understanding of these crystals for yourself, as well as learn some interesting facts about these crystals, their origins, and what they have meant to people in the past, we have created this guide to some of the most beautiful and exotic crystals out there.
1. Rhodolite Garnet
Starting with perhaps one of the most popular purple crystals that we know of currently, we have rhodolite garnet.
While garnets of this kind can appear in several shades of purple-red, red, and even orange in some cases, we are currently sticking with the more purple varieties of crystals.
For starters, the deep is almost black in some cases, and purple is memorizing for many people, and it is not hard to see why!
Its almost shifting tones from black to purple, to even burgundy in some examples, clearly demonstrate why it is a favorite among many who love to use this gem in jewelry.
They’re also relatively common stones to find (at least compared to the truly rare gems out there), as well as being relatively inexpensive to buy and shape into jewelry (again, compared to stones such as sapphires and diamonds).
In terms of its spiritual significance, rhodolite garnet, thanks to its purple-reddish tones, is often associated with pomegranate seeds and is therefore often tied to ideas of longevity, passion, and eternal love.
In Greek mythology, it is famously the pomegranate seed that ties Persephone to the underworld and Hades after eating it.
Perhaps, as a result, many people often give jewels containing rhodolite garnet to their significant others, as a sign of their eternal affection to the ones that they love with all their heart.
Keep in mind that rhodolite garnet can also carry pomegranate, seed’s ties to death and change too.
A gem of this type of garnet could be given to someone who has recently passed as a burial present or someone who has gone through a monumental change.
2. Purple Jasper
Purple jasper is a type of quartz crystal and maintains a lot of that mysterious luster that quartz in its natural state also carries.
This mysterious aspect carries over to some of its spiritual significance too, where it is often used as a way of bonding and connecting with another person.
As connecting with another person’s heart is also often a way for people to get a better understanding of both others and themselves, purple jasper can also be seen as a symbol of gaining a higher understanding of the world around them, achieving a state of enlightenment that can be hard for others to perceive or appreciate.
Many elements of purple jasper tie a person to honorable or noble acts, maintaining a dignified presence in the face of both others who would test you, or to extreme situations that would do the same.
Again, this is a theme that has roots in plenty of both mythology and history. Purple as a color when worn was often tied to royalty or noble blood, a practice that goes at least as far back as ancient Rome, where the robe of the Roman emperor was traditionally a vivid purple.
Even if the idea of royal blood is an old and maybe outdated one, purple jasper is a reminder that we can still carry ourselves and act nobly, even when it may otherwise be difficult.
3. Purple Amethyst
Pretty much everyone knows what amethyst is. Even people who aren’t well-versed in crystals and gemstones will at least be aware of amethyst.
And how could they not?
For one thing, they are a gorgeous crystalline structure, with finer examples of this crystal being priceless in the formation where their geodes form (see also, ‘How Are Geodes Formed?‘). They are also found in many places across the world, from Brazil and Bolivia to Uruguay and Ontario.
With such a wide distribution, it probably should be a surprise that people have been making jewelry out of it for almost as long as jewelry has been a concept!
Evidence of purple amethyst being used in human craft work goes back at least 5,000 years, with evidence of its use as a jewel and decoration piece by Ancient Egyptians as far back as the Bronze Age!
In terms of its significance to the spirit and soul, amethyst (see also, ‘Amethyst Metaphysical Healing Properties‘) has often been seen as a crystal with healing potential and is believed to help carry people into a deeper, healing sleep when it is around or on their person.
This isn’t a new belief, either. It was often believed by Ancient Greeks, (where the name ‘amethustos’, the root word for its modern name, comes from) that possessing this crystal while consuming wine would help prevent intoxication.
It’s also for this reason that many people often own amethyst for its anti-inflammatory properties that spiritualists claim it has.
4. Alexandrite
Perhaps one of the most expensive gemstones that we’ll cover on this list, alexandrite (see also ‘What Color Is Alexandrite?‘) is a crystal that is also probably one of the youngest that we will cover on this list!
Alexandrite was only discovered in Russia in the early 19th century. Comparing that to some of the other gemstones on this list, some of which have recorded use and understanding as far back as the Neolithic, the 19th century is nothing!
However, you may be somewhat distracted by its young age on account of its stunning beauty, especially in a refined specimen.
Light can refract through one of these crystals, allowing it to appear in several different colors when viewed at the right angle.
However, when in light that is produced by a glowing object, that prism of different colors focuses into a deep, clear purple.
In terms of its spiritual benefits (if you are lucky enough to own one of these exceedingly rare gemstones), alexandrite is known for its balancing properties, able to help center a person who may be suffering either emotionally or spiritually.
Almost as a reflection of the many colors that alexandrite can adopt, many of us find ourselves appearing as different personas (colors, if you will), to those around us, often distorting the truth about ourselves from even… well, ourselves!
Add to that the fact that its purple nature only becomes clear when shown under glowing hot light (i.e., a dangerous heat), and the fact that something approaching dangerous temperatures glows purple is a sign that a tipping point is approaching, whether we like it or not.
5. Purple Agate
Agate is a very common type of gemstone that can come in a variety of different colors, from earthy browns to a strong, banded red and black, and is used as a decorative piece of jewelry around the world, including Ancient Greece, and even further back in the Indus Valley in South West Asia.
However, here we are covering the rarer purple examples of agate, which also has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age. even early on, many people recognized its beauty as a gem!
In terms of its spiritual connections and abilities, purple agate is commonly used as a way of centering oneself, and weathering emotional storms that may be surrounding a person, whether they are among friends, or in a tough situation themselves.
When you find yourself struggling to deal with the negative energies around you, purple agate often acts as a shield between the encroaching negative energies and yourself.
6. Purple Topaz
While topaz is more commonly known as a white crystal, this silicate gemstone can come in distinct purple varieties too!
Generally speaking, topaz carries a lot of connections with the ideas of protection from outside influences, similar to agate in that respect, a belief and tradition that dates back centuries.
In the Middle Ages, it was often believed in English folklore to help cure lunacy in the impaired. Even Romans had their own beliefs, as they saw topaz as a way to help protect travelers from harm as well.
So, topaz may be both a means of keeping darker thoughts away, as well as even driving them back when it has taken your heart!
The white crystal topaz example that we mentioned earlier is also known to help bolster the effects of other crystals and their energies, so you may want to consider finding white topaz to help increase the effectiveness of these beautiful purple crystals.
Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, purple crystals and gemstones are not just full of meanings to understand and take apart, but are, of course, stunning in a way that many other gems, and even items in nature as a whole, simply cannot compare to.
So, will you find some of these crystals in your life? Do you already have some of these? Make sure to carry these bearers of dignity and spiritual protection with you!
Hi, my name is Andrea Daehma and I have been collecting and using crystals in my everyday life for just over six years now.
I have my own collection of crystals gracing my house, several for every scenario I could think of.
Learning about crystals has truly changed my life, and I want to help others turn their life around too. Please enjoy my website and find your own small stone to begin your crystal journey with!
