Amethyst (Steven Universe)


Amethyst is a fictional character from the animated television series Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar. She is voiced by Michaela Dietz.
She is a "Gem," a fictional alien being that exists as a magical gemstone projecting a holographic body, and one of the four "Crystal Gems", a group of Gems who defend Earth. Her story arcs throughout the series mostly focus on overcoming her low self-esteem, mostly caused by her feeling inferior to other Gems.

Development and casting

Amethyst's look was redesigned between the pilot episode of Steven Universe and the first regular episode.

Character

She is one of the three Crystal Gems, who, along with the titular Steven Universe, form the main characters of the series. She is more hedonistic and carefree than the other Gems, and behaves as more of an older sister figure to Steven. She often encourages Steven to enjoy himself and is the only Gem to engage in eating for fun. From the gemstone in her chest, she can summon a purple whip.
Unlike Pearl and Garnet, who were allies of Steven's mother Rose Quartz in the ancient Gem war, Amethyst joined the Crystal Gems after the war ended. She was created on Earth to be one of many Amethyst soldiers in the Gem empire's army. However, she was created smaller and weaker than other Amethysts, and long after the others had departed, leaving her isolated for many years before being taken in by Rose Quartz. Michaela Dietz has spoken about how her experience as an adoptee informs her performance of Amethyst in this respect.
Her character arc centers on coming to accept the burden of responsibility and overcoming her poor self-image arising from her smaller stature and "defective" creation. During the fourth season, she meets the other Amethyst soldiers who were created alongside her, and their support and affection for her become a source of emotional validation.