Do you know someone with a February birthday?
History and Symbolism Behind the February Birthstone – Amethyst
Those born in February, count your stars lucky, for you are born in the eternal month of love. Referred to as the month of Saint Valentine, it is the time of year abundant with love, romance, and wishful fantasies. If you are still wondering what to gift your beloved, we recommend amethyst jewelry. It is the traditional birthstone for those born in February or celebrating the 6th or 17th wedding anniversary. Brimming with enthralling beauty, the amethyst stone’s rich purple hues aptly emote the profound emotions of love. Given the jewelry’s stunning looks, it is perfect as a Valentine’s Day gift or as a gesture of love, any time of year. We’re confident that your partner will be thrilled with your pleasingly rich taste in jewelry.
Historical Tales About the February Birthstone, Amethyst
The February birthstone is a purple variety of the mineral Quartz. Ironically, as intoxicating as the beauty of this purple stone is, its name means ‘remedy against drunkenness.’ Amethyst derives its identity from the Greek word amethystos, which means ‘guarding against excessive inebriation or indulgence.’ Legends say that the Greek Gods would prefer having their drinks in royal chalices embedded with amethyst stones. They believed the balancing prowess of the rock would keep them from getting excessively drunk. Clearly, not the case, but the Greeks were quite fascinated with this unique gemstone. Owing to its rich wine-like color, they attributed the gem to Bacchus, the god of wine. The medieval Greek soldiers would wear amethyst rings to the battlefields to keep them focused and well-protected during unforeseen attacks from the enemy.
As further testimony to the stone’s connection with deep love, Saint Valentine himself used to wear an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image carved in the center. These are folklore and fancy narratives passed on over generations, but it still amuses the heart to believe them. If Cupid’s arrow has struck you hard, with sweet rhapsodies of romance taking over your world, we say amethyst is the gemstone for you.
The stone was far too expensive for the not-so-affluent to afford up until the 19th century. But the costs became reasonable once enormous quantities of amethyst were discovered in Brazil. Earlier, it was just as valued as precious gemstones, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Only the royalty and the high-ranking would have amethyst stones adorning their crowns, robes, and other fine accessories in the British Empire. Queen Mary of the United Kingdom royal family had the most exuberant amethyst tiaras and necklaces. Later on, she passed the prized jewels to her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth. In 1953, the precious gemstone again created a whirlwind of excitement when the much-celebrated Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, wore a stunning amethyst-studded necklace to a Versailles gala. The images of the extravagant necklace can be seen all over the Internet, leaving one awestruck by its exceptional beauty.
Symbolism and Rich Meaning Behind Amethyst
An effective healing stone, it is said that amethyst can heal the crown and root chakras of our body, aligning our whole system to a perfect state. Since its very name signifies protection from deprecatory indulgences, wearing an amethyst is believed to keep the wearer balanced. It calms the senses and helps one stay focused on their goals. For those suffering from low confidence, and depression, wearing amethyst restores faith and belief in life, bringing us back to a state of normalcy. If you feel that your life has tilted to some sort of extremes, wear amethyst to get clarity of thought and a definitive direction. Extending to personal life and relationships, the February birthstone grants both partners a clear perspective and mutual understanding, enhancing their alliance.
Colors and Hues of the Luxuriant February Birthstone
There is no denying that most of us find the color purple luscious. When worn in jewelry, the classic appeal ascends even greater heights. Amethyst is found in vast shades of purple from pale, lilac to lavender and deep rich purple. It also bears some very delicate undertones of ultra-light pink, candy light blue, deep violets, and more, almost like a rainbow kaleidoscope of sorts.
If looking to buy amethyst stone jewelry for yourself or to gift someone close, it is interesting to have an insight into how this sparkly purple quartz gets its color. Most natural amethyst has some earthy brown inclusions in its composition, visible to the naked eye. To lend more uniformity and fineness to the stone, it is exposed to artificial radiation and heat. This propels the stone to change its color and transform into the beautiful variations of the purple hue that we finally get to see. In fact, amethyst has the propensity to change its color under irradiation, from a translucent light pink or blue to an opaque, saturated deep purple. A miraculous stone to behold!
Facts and Trivia About the February Birthstone
The gem celebrates a time-honored reputation throughout history, and there are some fascinating facts about its existence. Let us unveil a few of them for you.
1. Before large amethyst quantities were discovered in Brazil in the 19th century, Russia used to be the primary source of the gemstone.
2. In the current day, Africa and South America provide most of the world’s amethysts.
3. In Africa, the Zambia mines are renowned for the excellent quality of amethyst crystals sourced from them. They are highly pigmented with color and possess a bright luster.
4. Though the February birthstone is usually purple, the variety with striking red and violet hues imbued with purple is highly valued.
5. With the abundant reserves of the gemstone all over the world now, their price points have substantially lowered. One can own some really fine jewelry featuring amethyst without worrying too much about the costs.
6. Easy to craft, the stone can be cut, creased, and shaped in many ways. It can be maneuvered into a cabochon or a faceted cut with great ease and finesse.
7. Amethyst tends to take on a yellowish tinge with excess heat treatment or prolonged exposure to direct sun, almost resembling citrine stone.
8. Celebrated artist Leonardo Da Vinci also favored the stone, claiming it to enhance intelligence and ward off evil thoughts.
9. Given its calm-inducing effects, the Buddhists use the gemstone in their meditative and praying string of beads.
10. Catherine II, the popular empress who reigned over Russia for 34 years, was obsessed with the February gemstone. She would adorn magnificent necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, heavily embellished with lustrous amethyst stones.
FAQ’s About February Birthstone
#Q1 – How valuable is an amethyst stone?
Amethyst is a highly affordable gemstone, costing between $20 – $30 per carat for a reasonably precious gemstone quality. The factor that impacts the pricing the most is the stone’s color hue. The deep rich purple stones with a rose red tinge are the most expensive and valued variety. Apart from the carat weight and color, the other two C’s – clarity and cut- do not significantly influence the cost. The highest quality gemstone might cost you as much as $50 – $75, but nothing more.
#Q2 – How to know if your amethyst is real?
There are a lot of fake, lab-colored stones and crystals that some jewelers and sellers try to pass on as real amethyst stones. The best test is to check for the gradation of color. Real amethyst has varying color hues and consistency. If you see a color block or a single color throughout, then the stone is not real. Real amethyst shows ingrained threads or color pigmented in a linear form when looking under a magnifying glass or bright light. If you notice any bubbles, then the stone is not a quartz variety and definitely not an amethyst. Real amethyst never has bubbles.
#Q3 – Which jewelry metals are best for amethyst stone?
The February birthstone complements both the warm and cool color tones of the metals. For its gorgeous color, a shining purple amethyst looks glorious in all three variations of the gold metal – yellow, rose, and white gold. Many people prefer having the gemstone studded into a sterling silver design, keeping the whole jewelry piece reasonably priced.
#Q4 – What finger does one wear an amethyst ring on?
Amethyst, the February birthstone that is known to bring balance and sanity in life, is worn on the middle finger of the right hand.