Amethyst
Birthstone for February
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz that has been prized since antiquity as a stone of clarity and calm. The ancient Greeks believed it could prevent intoxication — the name itself comes from 'amethystos,' meaning 'not drunk.' For centuries, amethyst was considered as valuable as diamonds and rubies, reserved for royalty and religious leaders. The discovery of massive deposits in Brazil in the 19th century made it more widely available, but it lost none of its beauty. Its color ranges from pale lavender to deep purple, and the finest specimens show a rich, saturated hue with flashes of red.
Why Amethyst for February?
Amethyst was assigned to February partly because of its association with St. Valentine — the purple stone was believed to keep lovers clear-headed and faithful. In ancient lore, February was a month of purification (the Latin 'februare' means to cleanse), and amethyst's reputation as a stone of sobriety and clarity made it a natural fit.