Since the time of the ancient Greeks, beautiful purple amethysts have been cherished. The Greeks connected these stones with the wine god Bacchus because of their hue, which resembled grapes. Since the word “amethyst” in ancient Greek meant “not drunk,” they believed that wearing one might keep you sober. Amethyst jewelry, according to gemstone lore, makes its owner wise and logical. Amethysts are said to increase intelligence and shield against negative thoughts, according to the artist Leonardo da Vinci.
Amethysts are widely used in royal and holy jewelry because purple has traditionally been regarded as a regal color due to its rare beauty and the high cost of producing the color for cloth. Amethyst is a gemstone that is frequently used in Tibetan prayer beads because it is thought by Buddhists to improve concentration. Amethyst has been equated by many civilizations with courage, tranquility, and harmony. It has also been said to be able to treat sleeplessness and ease pain.
Amethysts were as valuable and costly as emeralds, sapphires, and rubies until the 19th century, when a significant amethyst resource was found in Brazil. Large amethysts were able to be utilized more frequently in jewelry thanks to the abundance of Brazilian gems, despite the fact that this decreased the gems’ financial value. The Art Deco and Retro eras’ striking cocktail rings frequently feature them.
In This Article...
JanuaryGarnet
Garnet, the birthstone for January, is said to protect its owner when they are traveling. Because the gem resembles the color and shape of a pomegranate seed, the name “garnet” is derived from a term that means “seed.
FebruaryAmethyst
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is thought to improve communication and offer the wearer bravery. Only royalty could wear the jewel in the past. The amethyst was believed to protect against intoxication by the ancient Greeks. Amethyst is really derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “sober.”
MarchAquamarine, Bloodstone
Drinking the water the aquamarine, the birthstone for March, had been bathing in was said to cure stomach, liver, and heart ailments. Early sailors thought that aquamarine talismans bearing engravings of the sea god Neptune shielded them from the perils of the ocean.
The bloodstone, a dark green gemstone with scarlet flecks, is another birthstone for March.
AprilDiamond
The diamond, the birthstone for April, has long been associated with courage and is a symbol of unending love. The Sanskrit word for diamond is vajra, which also means lightning. In Hindu mythology, Indra, the king of the gods, used vajra as his weapon.
MayEmerald
Emerald, the birthstone for May, was a favorite jewel of Cleopatra’s. It has been linked to love, rebirth, and fertility for a very long time. This stone was even dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, by the ancient Romans. Emeralds are now considered to represent knowledge, development, and patience.
JunePearl
Pearl, the birthstone for June, has traditionally been associated with purity. The goddess of love Aphrodite was thought by the ancient Greeks to have created pearls out of her dried up tears of ecstasy.
JulyRuby
The ancient Hindus revered ruby, the birthstone for July, as the “king of stones.” It was thought to keep the wearer safe from evil. The intense red color of the ruby now stands for passion and love.
AugustPeridot
Peridot, the birthstone for August, represents fortitude. Due to its pale green hue, it is frequently referred to as the “evening emerald.” The green peridot crystals discovered in volcanic ashes were once thought to represent the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. This diamond was thought to ward off nightmares when set in gold.
SeptemberSapphire
Sapphire, the birthstone for September, was long supposed to ward off evil and poisoning. It was thought that putting a poisonous snake in a sapphire container would cause it to die. The sapphire, which has historically been a favored stone of priests and rulers, stands both innocence and knowledge.
OctoberOpal
Opal, the birthstone for October, represents loyalty and assurance. The term is derived from the Latin word opalus, which means “precious jewel.” Opal-set necklaces were worn to ward off evil and preserve vision.
DecemberTurquoise
Turquoise, the birthstone for December, is viewed as a love charm. It is also a representation of luck and success, and wearing one is said to calm the mind and shield the person from harm. Particularly turquoise rings are said to ward off evil spirits.
Learn More
Do you know your natal flower now that you know your birthstone? See our page of flowers by birth month!
Enjoy our birthday facts, history, folklore, and other fun stuff on our birthdays page.
Is February’s birthstone amethyst?
The gemstone amethyst is the birthstone for February and the sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversaries. The Amethyst is a kind of quartz that is distinguished by its numerous purple hues, ranging from lilac to deep violet. It has a lengthy and enigmatic past.
What are February’s two birthstones?
Jasper is a lovely, earthy stone for jewelry and is thought to be associated with courage and wisdom. It is also helpful for fostering strength and stability.
For February birthdays, two exquisite birthstone possibilities are amethyst and jasper. Amethyst’s violet tones and green jasper’s rich, earthy tones are stunning on their own and in combination. Visit our Education Center for more details about amethyst, ametrine, and bloodstone, and browse our whole selection of amethyst and jasper.
How is the birthstone for February formed?
Quartz, the second-most prevalent mineral in the crust of the Earth, is present in amethysts. Geodes, which occur close to the locations of volcanic activity, frequently have quartz lining the interior. Therefore, it is not surprising that amethysts can also be found in geodes. Amazingly enormous amethyst geodes can be found.
Amethysts are a translucent kind of silicon dioxide, similar to quartz (SiO2). The hue of an amethyst can vary from a soft mauve to a deep purple. However, from where does the color come? While some scientists credit the amethysts’ purple hue to the iron oxide they contain, others blame manganese or hydrocarbons.
Heat is extremely corrosive to amethyst. An amethyst turns red or brownish-yellow when heated to 400 or 500 degrees Celsius (about 750 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit). The stones can occasionally turn green when heated. Even an amethyst can become citrine, a naturally rare yellow mineral, when heated. And even without heating, amethyst’s violet hue could deteriorate over time.
Amethyst is found in Arizona and North Carolina, and commercial amethyst comes from Brazil and Uruguay.
Amethyst lore
The amethyst has a long history of folklore and legend that may be traced back to 25,000 years ago in France, where prehistoric humans utilized it as a beautiful stone. It has also been discovered among Neolithic man’s remains.
According to legend, Cleopatra’s signet ring was an amethyst with the image of Mithras, a Persian god who represents the Divine Idea, Source of Light, and Life, carved on it. It’s also rumored to be the stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst ring with Cupid’s likeness carved on it. Valentine’s Day continues to be celebrated in February.
The word “amethyst” is derived from the Greek word “amethystos,” which means “not drunk,” and the stone was thought to keep its wearers sober. The following myth from ancient Greece and Rome is taken from “Birthstones by Willard Heaps:
In classical mythology, the god of wine, Bacchus, took offense at Diana the huntress. He vowed to exact retribution by ordering his tigers to devour the first human he encountered as he made his way through the forest. As it turned out, the first person he encountered was the lovely Amethyst, who was en route to the Diana temple to offer worship. She prayed to the goddess in terror, asking her to save her, and Bacchus saw the girl transform before his eyes into a flawless, dazzling picture of stone.
Bacchus poured grape wine over her as an act of atonement for his terrible treatment of her, which gave the stone the lovely amethyst tint. The transition to sobriety was relatively logical, and wine was served in amethyst cups in ancient Rome so that drinkers wouldn’t have to worry about overindulging.
Early Egyptians buried the stones in pharaohs’ graves because they thought amethyst had beneficial properties. It was employed as medicine during the Middle Ages and was said to relieve sleep, hone intellect, and shield the user from magic. It was also thought to bring about military success. The amethyst was said to guard the wearer against nightmares and gout in Arabian legend.
What color is February?
Birthstone for February is amethyst. Purple is the birthstone for February. Home > Education > Gems & Gemology > Amethyst, the birthstone for February. Purple is the birthstone for February.
Who shouldn’t don ruby jewelry?
Never wear rubies if you are an ascendant of Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Aquarius, Libra, Capricorn, or Pisces. The Sun’s position and its opposition to various planetary placements are the causes of this.
Amethyst is purple; why?
Amethyst is a purple variation of quartz (SiO2). Its violet hue is the result of complicated crystal lattice substitutions brought on by irradiation, iron and, in certain circumstances, other transition metal impurities, as well as the presence of other trace elements.
Which month of the year does amethyst symbolize?
The birthstone for February is amethyst, a form of quartz with a stunning purple color that ranges from a combination of deep violet and red to a lighter lilac hue. Ancient Greeks thought that wearing the stone prevented intoxication and helped the wearer maintain a level head.
Why is amethyst used?
boosts nobility
religious consciousness
Psychic prowess
inner harmony and recovery
Body, mind, and soul healing
transformation for the better
MeditationBalance
reduces tension
Communication
Amethyst is a strong and shielding gemstone.
It defends against psychic assault, transforming the energy into love and shielding the user from all damage, such as geopathic or electromagnetic stress and bad intentions from others.
Amethyst is a natural tranquilizer that reduces stress and tension, calms impatience, stabilizes mood swings, and calms fear, anxiety, and aggression.
reduces pain and misery and dispels negativity.
Amethyst stimulates psychic skills, opens intuition, and awakens spiritual consciousness.
It has great cleansing and healing abilities.
Amethyst promotes sobriety and has a sobering effect on excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or other addictions.
It stimulates and soothes the mind, making it easier to focus, remember things better, and be more motivated.
Amethyst helps in dream recall and comprehension.
It eases sleeplessness.
promotes generosity and spiritual discernment.
Amethyst regulates the endocrine system, metabolism, and hormone synthesis.
It improves the body’s ability to combat cancer, boosts the immune system, and eases discomfort. It helps with tissue regeneration and eliminates cancerous tumors. blood is cleaned. relieves stress or discomfort that is mental, emotional, or physical. Amethyst reduces tension and eases headaches. It relieves hearing impairments and lessens bruising, swellings, and injuries. Amethyst is effective in treating gastrointestinal ailments, skin conditions, cellular diseases, and respiratory and respiratory tract illnesses.