What Gemstone Was Originally, But No Longer, Considered Precious?

Many a museum-goer over the years has been been puzzled over the inclusion of amethyst in royal and religious artifacts. Why would the artisans of past ages have included amethyst in so many of their creations when it’s such a cheap and abundant stone, merely quartz with a purple hue? via Pocket http://ift.tt/1m2BVld