Amethyst - February Birthstone

Amethyst is a transparent purple variety of quartz which is used as a gemstone. It is the birthstone for people born in the month of February. It is also the gemstone for the 4th and 6th year of marriage. Amethyst is a pale lilac to purple color and is a popular gem used in jewellery. Purple is linked to religious symbolisms and originally stood for mourning and penitence.The colour purple has long been considered a royal colour (the dyes used for purple materials were extremely expensive to produce) and it is not surprising that amethyst has been so popular through history. They are featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty.

In popular belief, the amethyst offers protection against drunkenness - derived from the Greek 'amethystos" meaning 'not intoxicated". A more apt stone for the month of February, particularly as there is to be plenty going on in the way of carnival celebrations around the world!

Origin of the Amethyst

The story of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek legends: The god of wine, Bacchus, was insulted one day by a mere mortal. He swore the next mortal that crossed his path, would be attacked by his fierce tigers. Along came a beautiful maiden named Amethyst. Goddess Diana turned Amethyst in a beautiful statue of quartz to save her from the tigers claws. Remorseful Bacchus wept tears of wine over the stone maiden, creating a lively purple stone.

Many different powers have beeen attirbuted to the amethyst in many cultures. It protects crops against tempests and locusts, brings good fortune in war and in the hunt, drives out evil spirits and inspires the intellect. Gemstone therapists say that the amethyst has a sobering and cleansing effect. Amethyst was also esteemed as a stone of friendship. And since it was thought to put the wearer in a chaste frame of mind and symbolise trust and piety, the amethyst came to occupy a very prominent position in the ornaments of the Catholic clergy over the centuries. It was the stone of bishops and cardinals; we find it in prelates" crosses and in the so-called Papal Ring.

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