February Birthstone Jewelry: The Purple Amethyst
Amethyst is a type of quartz that’s considered to be a semiprecious stone, as well as the traditional birthstone for February. The name comes from the ancient Greek word “amethystos” which translates to “not intoxicated” – or “sober” – because the ancient Greeks believed amethyst protected the owner from drunkenness. They would either wear the stone, or carve drinking vessels from it for this reason. Today, amethyst is believed to bring stability, focus, courage, and romance. Keep reading to learn more about February’s birthstone!
What is an Amethyst and Why is it Purple?
As stated above, amethyst is a purple (or violet) variety of quartz, which is a crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen. There are many varieties of quartz, but you can recognize an amethyst thanks to its signature color. The purple hue is due to irradiation of the crystal, metal impurities (like iron), and additional trace elements in the structure of the stone. These elements result in the overall look of amethyst.
Because of the variability of the crystal makeup, amethyst can be found in a range of violet hues – from deep purple to soft lavender (the latter of which has become recently popular in amethyst jewelry). The purple color also tends to form at the end of raw amethyst crystals, so it is often cut away from the more opaque, white crystal base to form a consistently purple gemstone for February birthstone jewelry.
What is the Meaning and History of Amethyst?
The ancient Greeks believed amethyst would guard against intoxication because the purple, grape-like color was associated with Bacchus, the god of wine. This belief was even found in Ancient Egypt, with Queen Cleopatra having a signet ring of amethyst engraved with the Egyptian goddess of Drunkenness. Ancient Egyptians also considered amethyst to be a precious stone, using it to make amulets as a form of prayer and talismans for magical protection against harm.
In Medieval Europe, soldiers wore amethyst amulets as forms of protection, believing the gemstones would heal them and help them stay level-headed in the heat of battle. Leonardo da Vinci even wrote that amethysts enhanced intelligence and protected wearers from evil thoughts. In modern Europe, purple clothes and robes were considered a color of royalty because the dye was so difficult to produce, so the naturally-purple amethyst was worn by royals as accessories to further show their status – even the current Queen of England has been seen wearing amethyst jewelry.
Buddhists have also use amethyst as prayer beads because they believe the stone enhances meditation, and many other cultures have associated amethyst with balance, peace, and courage. Clearly, the February birthstone has been revered throughout world history!
