The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means “a treatment against drunkenness,” a quality that has long been associated with the purple birthstone. Early Greek mythology connected the gem with Bacchus, the deity of wine, because of its wine-like tint. Additionally, amethyst was thought to maintain its wearer logical and astute in both combat and professional situations. It was believed by Renaissance Europeans to calm lovers overcome by passion.
The jewel that is customarily given at the sixth wedding anniversary is amethyst. You’ll be in regal company if you don it in honor of your wedding or as your birthstone for February. Empress Catherine II of Russia (17291796), known as Catherine the Great, loved the gemstone and adorned herself with amethyst necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (18961986), a well-known jewelry enthusiast, created a lasting impression in 1953 when she attended a gala in Versailles wearing a pricey amethyst bib necklace by Cartier.
In This Article...
JanuaryGarnet
The January birthstone, garnet, is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. 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 word comes from the Latin opalus, meaning “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.
What hue is a purple stone?
Most purple gemstones are variations or replacements for blue sapphires, which are prized for their astrological power and the jewelry fashioned from them.
Amethyst, Purple Sapphire, and Khooni Neelam are the three most widely used purple gems.
One of the most well-known alternatives to blue sapphire is amethyst, commonly referred as as jamunia.
What birthstone hue is light purple?
Amethyst. Crystalline quartz in shades ranging from light lilac to dark reddish purple is amethyst. Given that it has a hardness rating of 7, it is extremely scratch-resistant. The birthstone for February is a lovely diamond for any style of jewelry.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Do amethysts cost a lot?
Amethyst’s primary colors range from a mild pinkish violet to a deep purple. One or both of the secondary colorsred and bluecan be seen in amethyst. Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, and the far east are all places where you can get high-quality amethyst. The Rose de France brand has been used to sell the pale lavender or lilac color. Previously thought to be unattractive, these light colors have recently grown in acceptance thanks to aggressive marketing.
The deepest purple amethysts that may be found are sought after by many collectors. However, despite their high value, the darker purple stones lack the faint sparkle of the slightly lighter stones. Look for the medium to medium-dark tones for a stone that has more life.
Even at the higher grades, amethyst is incredibly cheap for a rock that was formerly valued as highly as sapphire. High-end cut stones typically cost $20 to $30 per carat, with really exquisite specimens costing around $40 per carat.
The majority of fine amethyst is highly clean, untreated, and available in big quantities. It is a fairly resilient stone that works well for various types of jewelry.
What purple gem is the rarest?
One of the rarest jewels, sugilite, is hardly known outside of Asia. In 1944, Japanese geologist Ken-ichi Sugi made the discovery. It is either translucent or opaque, with a characteristic purple colour. There are varieties with a pale pink-purple color, though.
What is the name of a lilac stone?
Amethyst is arguably the most recognizable purple gemstone. This stone was regarded as being equally valuable to rubies, emeralds, and diamonds in antiquity. Before significant amounts of amethyst were discovered in Brazil, amethyst stones were highly prized but less frequent.
All hues of purple are present in amethyst, but the darkest tones are thought to be the best. These gemstones are frequently used in jewelry because of how nicely their color complements both neutral and vivid tones. It’s interesting to note that if amethyst is left in the direct sun for too long, the color may fade.
Amethysts may withstand some wear and tear, but they need a lot of work to keep their color and luster. However, these precious stones can endure a lifetime if they are properly cared for.
Amethyst meaning & properties
The Greek word ametusthos, which means “not drunk,” is where the name amethyst originates. According to legend, the purple gemstone has the ability to shield its owner from excessive drinking and eating. A purple amethyst ring with a Cupid engraving was worn by St. Valentine, who is closely associated with the gemstone. The purple jewel, which is the February birthstone and today honors Valentine’s Day, is a representation of devoted love.
Purple birthstone for December?
Tanzanite. The rare blue-purple form of the mineral zoisite called tanzanite is only found in one region of the world. Tanzanite, so named because of its narrow geographic origin in Tanzania, has rapidly gained prominence since it was only recently discovered.
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.