A verse from the Gregorian poem which was published in 1870 by Tiffany & Co states that the February birthstone is Amethyst.
This gemstone is a type of quartz which is typically purple in colour. It is often used in the manufacture of jewellery around the world.
A brief history of Amethyst.
Like many other gemstones the Amethyst was used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
It was believed by Ancient Greeks that the February birthstone enabled the wearer to keep a balanced mind and be protected against drunkenness. In fact the name is derived from the Greek word coming from ancient legend, ametusthos which means “not intoxicated”.
The gemstone was often used by Greeks and Romans to adorn goblets in the belief that it would prevent the drinker from becoming inebriated. In addition, medieval European soldiers believed that wearing the stone as an amulet could protect them in battle. Amethyst has also been used as a symbol of royalty to decorate English regalia.
The use of Amethyst today.
Since the discovery of large deposits in Brazil Amethyst is no longer considered as valuable. However, it is still believed to have spiritual properties. It is used in Tibet to make prayer beads and sacred to Buddhists. In the world of Feng Shui this gemstone has many properties including:
- Blood purification
- Beneficial to the immune system
- Improves both physical and mental skills
- Helps to improve sleep and relaxation
- Headache relief
There is no scientific evidence that any of these properties exist within the stone as in other elements. However, you may wish to try using the stone purely for its appearance.
Variation in colour
Amethyst can be found in many shades from light to dark purple. The most sought after is transparent deep purple from Russia commonly known as “Siberian Amethyst”. This can command a much higher price than gemstones from other sources. Some varieties can fade if exposed to light for long periods and can even turn green if exposed to intense heat.
February birthstone rings
Finally, here are a few examples of Amethyst rings available to buy online via our affiliates:
