All About Amethyst: The Birthstone for February

What is Amethyst?

Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone. It is a hard, translucent and sparkling variety of quartz, which is consistently popular in jewellery design for its colour and radiance. The stone is violet in colour, and found in varying shades from pale lilac through to dark, rich purple.

Where is Amethyst Found?

So where do these radiant gemstones come from? Amethyst has been found all over the world, with large deposits mined in Brazil, Austria, Russia and the United States. Amethyst is the official state gemstone of South Carolina due to its abundance in the state.

Amethyst's purple colour is its natural form - it is purple when it is mined out of the ground, and is not heat treated or irradiated to create the colour.

Amethyst Through History

Amethyst has been used in jewellery for hundreds of years. Ancient Egyptian jewellery has been found, made of carved amethyst beads. The Ancient Greeks wore amethyst as jewellery, and also carved drinking goblets from the stone, as they believed that amethyst prevented intoxication!  In the Middle Ages, amethyst became a symbol of royalty and the stone was used to decorate English royal regalia. Large amethysts can still be seen set atop the Sovereign's Orb and Sceptre, and in the crown of St Edward, all used in the British coronation ceremony.

The Birthstone for February

The amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February. 

Our sterling silver February birthstone pendant displays the gemstone in a simple polished surround. Matching amethyst stud earrings are also available to complete the set, or to wear separately as classic everyday earrings.

You can find the February Amethyst Birthstone here: Amethyst Pendant and the matching earrings here: Amethyst Earrings

Amethyst Jewellery

Amethyst features in many of our jewellery designs. You can find all of our Amethyst jewellery here: Amethyst Jewellery