Short answer: amethyst is the February birthstone. It is the violet to purple variety of quartz. At 7 on the Mohs scale it is suitable for rings and everyday jewelry, though it can show wear over time. Once as rare and costly as ruby or emerald, amethyst became widely available after large deposits were found in Brazil in the 19th century.
What is the February birthstone?
February has one birthstone on the modern United States list: amethyst. It is also the gem traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary. The amethyst guide covers the mineral itself in more depth, including why it is purple and how amethyst geodes form. This page focuses on amethyst as a birthstone: its history, sources, treatments and care.
What color is the February birthstone?
Purple. Amethyst ranges from pale violet to dark purple. It often shows color zoning, with the most intense color usually at the crystal tips, so one of a gem cutter's tasks is to produce an evenly colored stone. According to GIA, the finest color is a strong reddish purple to purple with no visible zoning.
A gem of royalty
Royals have admired amethyst's deep purple since at least the days of Alexander the Great. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, had a well-known fondness for the gem and wore amethyst necklaces, earrings and other ornaments. In 1953, Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, wore a Cartier-designed amethyst bib necklace to a gala at Versailles. It held 28 step-cut amethysts, one oval faceted amethyst and a large heart-shaped amethyst at the front, with turquoise cabochons and diamonds, all hanging from a rope-like gold chain.
What does the February birthstone mean?
The name comes from the Greek amethystos, "not intoxicated", which GIA renders as "a remedy against drunkenness", a power long ascribed to the stone. Because of its wine-like color, early Greek mythology linked amethyst with Bacchus, the god of wine. It was also believed to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted in battle and business, and Renaissance Europeans thought it calmed lovers overrun by passion. Amethyst lore includes claims that it gave strength and wit to those who wore it.
These are traditions and beliefs. They are part of the stone's long history, not properties of the gem.
Where does amethyst come from?
Russia was the major source of amethyst until the 19th century, when large deposits were found in Brazil, and the once-rare gem was suddenly plentiful. Today the most important sources are in South America and Africa.
- Brazil is still a major supplier, especially its southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul. Rough amethyst from there tends to be lighter in color, and some forms in hollow geodes large enough to stand in.
- Bolivia: the Anahí mine, in the Pantanal wetlands, is a prominent source. According to its story, it was discovered by a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s, forgotten for three centuries, and rediscovered in the 1960s. It is also the famous source of ametrine, crystals that are part amethyst and part citrine.
- Zambia: the Kariba mine is one of the largest amethyst producers in the world, known for richly saturated color.
- Arizona: the Four Peaks amethyst mine sits high in the rugged Mazatzal Mountains, about 46 miles (74 km) from Phoenix. Despite the heat, the remote location and the lack of water and power, it produces some very fine dark purple and purplish red crystals.
Is February amethyst treated?
Heat treatment is the most common technique for improving amethyst's color. It cannot make pale amethyst darker, but it can lighten very dark amethyst and remove unwanted brownish inclusions. Some amethyst turns yellow when heated, becoming citrine. The change is permanent, though heating can make a stone slightly more brittle, and too much heat can remove the color entirely.
Lab-grown amethyst
Synthetic amethyst has been made since the 1970s. It has the same chemical and physical properties as natural amethyst, and it can be very hard to tell apart without advanced gemological testing. Because amethyst is a comparatively inexpensive gem, that testing is often not requested. Sellers are required to say whether a gem is natural or synthetic, so ask.
How do you care for amethyst jewelry?
- Keep it away from harder gems. At 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst can be scratched by ruby, sapphire and diamond, and it may need repolishing after years of wear.
- Limit strong light. Some amethyst fades with prolonged exposure to strong light. The color is stable with normal wear, but it is not a stone to leave in the sun.
- Clean it with a soft brush and mild soap, the safest option. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually fine; steam cleaning is not recommended.
February birthstone jewelry
Amethyst's hardness, wide color range and affordable price make it popular for February birthstone rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Pendants and earrings take less wear than rings. For a ring worn every day, a protective setting helps guard the facet edges.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the February birthstone?
Amethyst, the purple variety of quartz. It is the only February birthstone on the modern United States list.
What color is the February birthstone?
Purple, from pale violet to dark purple. The finest stones are a strong reddish purple to purple.
Is amethyst valuable?
Amethyst was once as costly as ruby or emerald, but large Brazilian deposits found in the 19th century made it plentiful. Today it is an affordable gem, with deep, even purple stones valued most.
Can you wear amethyst every day?
Yes. At 7 on the Mohs scale it suits everyday jewelry, but keep it away from harder gems and strong sunlight, and expect it to show some wear over many years.
Is there amethyst in Arizona?
Yes. The Four Peaks mine in the Mazatzal Mountains, about 46 miles from Phoenix, produces fine dark purple and purplish red amethyst.
What anniversary is amethyst for?
Amethyst is the gem traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary.
Sources
- GIA, February Birthstone: https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/february-birthstones
- GIA, Amethyst: https://www.gia.edu/amethyst
- Wikipedia, Amethyst: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amethyst