Do you have a loved one born in February? Amethyst - the February birthstone - jewelry might be just the right gift for someone with a February birthday. The February Birthstone is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz and most valuable member of the quartz family. Amethyst comes in a range of shades including deep purple, light lilac, and lavender. The purple color of the February birthstone made it a stone of royalty for thousands of years. Amethysts are also relatively hard, rating a 7 on the Mohs scale.
The amethyst’s intriguing violet color brings with it an interesting history. February’s birthstone, the most striking representative of the quartz family, has been treasured by both royalty and clergy. Russian Empress Catherine the Great even sent miners into the Urals to search for it. In the past, it was thought that this February birthstone offered protection against drunkenness, and its name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos', which means not intoxicated.
The February birthstone is mined all over the world, but are most commonly found in Brazil, South Korea and Russia. This eye-catching gemstone is known throughout the world for its distinctive color – bring this gorgeous February birthstone into the life of someone you love today!