The Zen lamps carry no sign: the stones run all the way round the ring. On this one, rough purple amethysts line the 18 cm black metal ring, which stands on a round metal base. Its centre is open, so the wall behind it shows through. The lamp is 20.5 cm tall and the base is 10 cm deep. Switch it on and the rim lights up with LED light, so the stones glow from within.
Body, mind, spirit
On the boxes of the three Zen lamps you will read Body, Mind and Spirit. This amethyst lamp is Spirit, while the other two are made with rose quartz and celestite.
Amethyst's Greek name
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. Its name comes from the Greek “amethystos”, which means “not drunk”. It is said to be a stone of meditation and inward focus, which is why many people keep it in a quiet corner, next to a yoga mat or a meditation cushion.
The lamp gives a warm, yellowish light that deepens the purple of the stones to a wine colour. For evening meditation this soft light may be all you need, so you can switch off the main light.
Keep it out of strong sun
Long hours of strong sunlight can fade amethyst over time, so avoid a sunny windowsill. Dust it with a soft, dry brush, with the cable unplugged. The stones are natural, so colour and shape vary a little from lamp to lamp.
It runs from a USB cable, so a computer, a USB wall charger or a power strip with USB sockets will do. There is a switch on the cable.