The purple birthstone of February is the amethyst.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek word “amesthustos,” which means “intoxicated.” According to Greek mythology, amethyst was the rock crystal from the tears of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and mischief. Ancient wearers believed the gemstone could protect them from getting drunk. I wish that was true!
Amethyst is purple quartz, and it gets its color from irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace elements. On the Mohs scale, Amethyst has a rating of 7, making it a durable and long-lasting option for jewelry.
Like garnet, amethyst isn’t just purple; it can also be pinkish-violet or a deep purple with hints of blue or red. The amethyst has many layers, or color variants, so the way the gem is cut has an impact on the color shown in a finished piece.
Throughout history, amethyst has been associated with royalty. Egyptian nobles, Catherine the Great, and the British Crown all wore amethyst. Even though da Vinci wasn’t royalty, he was highly revered. He believed that the purple gem could make evil thoughts disappear and increase one’s intelligence.
Happy birthday, February babies! We hope you have a regal and fun birth month.
