The history and origin of the February birthstone Amethyst.
Main image, polished Amethyst sphere. Copyright author.
Amethyst is the birthstone for February, celebrated for its deep purple tones, and positioned perfectly within the calendar year for Valentine’s Day.
According to legend, St. Valentine, the patron saint of romantic love, wore an amethyst ring carved with the image of Cupid.
Prized for its deep purple colour, Amethyst is a popular jewellery choice. At the same time, its affordable price and availability make it an appealing choice for jewellery buyers.
High-quality Amethysts have reasonable price tags. Large gemstones are affordable choices because the price per carat does not rise dramatically as their sizes increase.
Anyone with a February birthday benefits from an incredible and affordable gemstone lavished with incredible meaning.
While Amethysts remain hugely popular for women’s fashion, few realise the importance of this beautiful gemstone. For example, Amethysts carry many hidden traits, making them a popular gemstone for crystal healing.
Purple Cabochon Treasures
When it comes to jewellery, polishers cut gem-quality specimens into an amazing assortment of shapes and sizes. With an absence of facets, the cabochon cut variety appeals without sparkle but with an emphasis on depth of colour and a domed appearance. Our example below comes from our showroom gemstone collection.
Also, a wide range of gemstone cuts from faceted cuts to rounded Cabochon cut gemstone styles.
Amethyst and diamond halo pendant created by bespoke design at Serendipity Diamonds
What is Amethyst made from?
Amethyst originates from the mineral Quartz. Most people associate Quartz with a white, or clear colouration. But Amethyst is famed for its exquisite purple colour.
Origins, where is it mined and how plentiful is it?
Amethyst represents the most valuable form of Quartz, found in volcanic rocks from countries such as Brazil, Uruguay and Russia.
Other countries include Austria, India, the United States and Zambia. In fact, Zambia produces around 1000 metric tonnes of Amethyst per year.
Russia produces some of the finest Amethyst, coming from the Ekaterinburg region near Mursinka.
A very recent discovery of a Quartz geode on the border between Uruguay and Brazil revealed an incredible heart-shaped formation.
Miners exposed the heart-shaped geode when the parent rock was split into two. Each half contained the divided geode, encrusted with Amethyst.
This discovery made the perfect illustrative photograph for Valentine’s February Birthstone Amethyst.
Both Canada and USA mine Amethyst. To the East, Siberia produces some of the finest Amethyst. We refer to some of the most prized gemstones as ‘Deep Siberian’ for this reason.
Image courtesy and copyright of Uruguay Minerals
Affordable Amethyst makes it a popular choice for a wide range of jewellery.
Varieties, shades and hues of purple
Amethyst features a primary hue varying from light pinkish violet to deep purple. In addition, Secondary hues include red or blue.
Amethyst and Sapphire heart shapes from one of our bespoke ring designs.
Purple Amethyst
Purple Amethyst, like all amethyst, comes from Quartz. Its deep violet colour occurs due to irradiation, impurities of iron and possibly other transition metals. Most people associate the resulting deep purple colour with the wide variety of products available, from crystals and geodes to jewellery.
Pink Amethyst
Pink Amethysts form when the mineral Hematite features within the gemstone’s crystalline structure. Only one deposit exists in Patagonia, Argentina. Pink Amethysts offer a paler, more subtle variation of this beautiful gem.
Pink, Purple and Green varieties of Amethyst.
Green Amethyst
Amethysts with a green colour come from Prasiolite, a heat-treated form of amethyst. In essence, Prasiolite is a pale green form of quartz.
Most Prasiolite originates from heat-treating Amethyst which turns yellow or orange, producing Citrine. But by radiating specimens, a green colour results.
For many, confusion arises when Amethyst is called green owing to the deep association of Amethyst with the colour purple.
Amethyst Jewellery
We create and carry a wide range of designs in our jewellery collection. Furthermore, most styles appear on our website and in our showroom.
For this reason, clients can call in and purchase on the day. Or, order online for free delivery. Finally, our third alternative enables them to click and collect.
Amethyst and diamond cluster ring.
Amethyst Necklaces
For February birthstone Amethyst jewellery, many buyers choose affordable combinations. For example, a Sterling Silver Amethyst necklace.
In contrast, more expensive options provide an alternative range of budgets. These include pendants set with a combination of Amethyst and diamonds, held within Platinum or 18ct Gold.
In fact, Platinum, White Gold and Yellow Gold all suit Amethyst. In fact, an Amethyst cluster makes a fabulous choice, set with, or without diamonds.
Custom-made Amethyst pendant featuring a square gemstone in a rub-over setting.
Amethyst Earrings
Amethyst makes a fabulous choice of gemstone for a variety of earring styles. For example, stud earrings. Or, Amethyst and diamond halo earrings.
In addition, it makes a wonderful design, cut into Amethyst drop earrings with a teardrop-shaped gem cut.
Amethyst Eternity Rings
From time to time, we set Amethyst into various styles of eternity ring. Many of our designs feature an alternating arrangement of diamonds with Amethysts cut into small sizes.
Interwoven diamond and Amethyst eternity ring with milgrain edge detail.
Magical Properties of the February Birthstone Amethyst – Myths and Mystery
Amethystos or Amethustos means “not drunk” in Ancient Greek. A belief existed that you could drink throughout the night. In fact, you could remain sober provided you carried an amethyst within your mouth or upon your person.
“Plato the Younger,” made reference to an Amethyst inscribed with an image of Dionysus. A connection to its sobering properties in connection with drinking.
The French poet Remy Belleau created a story in 1576 in a collection of poems relating to gemstone properties.
The tale recounts the actions of the Greek God Bacchus. The maiden Amethyst was turned into a clear stone through the protection of the goddess Diana. The god of wine, Bacchus, poured wine over Amethyst, staining her a deep violet color.
In early Christianity, the purple colour led to associations with Christ. Both healing powers and calming properties became connected to Amethyst.
In addition, Tibetans connect Amethyst to Buddha as a sacred stone. As a result, prayer beads made of Amethyst lend themselves to both prayer and meditation for Buddhists.
Amethyst for love and Valentine’s Day?
We relate Amethyst to Valentine’s Day. Owing to the February connection, Amethyst make the perfect fit for Valentine’s Day jewellery.
Gemstones with pink, purple and red stand out for Valentine’s Day proposals.
Amethyst, features on the hand of St. Valentine in the likeness of Cupid. We connect Amethyst to the virtues of calmness in the face of passion —a virtue during Medieval times.
While Amethyst signified true love, it offered protection to warriors in battle.
White gold Amethyst ring. Amethyst blends beautifully with blue sapphires. It contrasts equally well against the dazzling whiteness of a diamond.
Although this ring design was unusual as an engagement ring, we created a shaped wedding ring to sit alongside. Taken from the Amethyst and diamond ring collection made by bespoke design.
Deep purple – Prized Amethysts in Bespoke Jewellery
The February Birthstone, Amethyst, takes pride of place in bespoke jewellery design. Large Amethysts are affordable large gemstones.
With diamond accents, a large cut of Amethyst makes a striking statement. This is especially relevant for gemstones with deep purple hues.
One of our Amethyst rings featured petals crafted in white gold set with diamonds around a deep purple oval Amethyst. The amethyst and diamond rings provide an amazing contrast.
Alternatives to Amethyst suitable for Engagement Rings
Certain gemstones make durable alternatives to Amethyst. One of our recent clients commissioned a rare Purple Spinel with similar properties to Sapphire.
Lighter in colour, this Purple gemstone made a unique alternative for her solitaire ring.
February Birthstone Jewellery
Owing to the affordable price of Amethyst, we carry many items made from Sterling Silver. For example, Silver Amethyst pendants and earrings.
Many of our affordable designs carry colours ranging from deep purple to a lighter shade of purple.
For a February Birthstone gift, Silver Amethyst jewellery makes a wonderful present. Furthermore, this gemstone colour matches perfectly with our lavender logo and branding.
For this reason, our presentation boxes make a perfect showcase for any item of Amethyst jewellery.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
