February–a month that is synonymous with the celebration of love, and the promise of warmth and sunshine soon to come. February is represented by the stunning amethyst, a deeply saturated gemstone that has been used in jewelry for centuries to symbolize royalty, wisdom, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. A truly stunning, vibrant purple gem, amethysts come in a wide variety of purple hues which are perfect for creating unique jewelry.
Read on for some interesting facts and information about this amazing gemstone, as well as some interesting history!
First, the science and history behind the stone…
Amethysts are a variety of quartz, and are found in many countries around the world. The uniquely rich purple hue of this stone comes from trace amounts of iron that are located within the quartz crystal, and the shade of purple varies widely from stone to stone. Though usually associated with a rich, royal purple hue, amethysts can range from a light lavender all the way to a dark, almost blackish-purple color, and there are about 8-10 commonly recognized color varieties.
Many ancient cultures incorporated amethysts into their artistic endeavors and ways of living. In Ancient Egypt, amethysts were used to create jewelry, and were associated with protection and royalty (and were often buried with the dead). Interestingly, the Ancient Greeks associated the amethyst with not getting drunk (the name “amethystos” in Greek means “not intoxicated”)! Wine cups were actually carved out of amethyst stones, as there was a popular belief that this would protect the drinker from getting drunk. The Ancient Romans often incorporated amethysts into signet rings, and in the Middle Ages, amethysts were considered “cardinal gemstones” alongside diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. With symbolic ties as well to Ancient Judaism (one of the twelve stones in the High Priest’s breastplate, representing the tribe of Dan) and Early Christianity (symbolizing piety, humility, celibacy, and spiritual clarity), this stunning gemstones has deeply significant ties to many cultures, religions, and regions around the globe.
How durable is an amethyst?
As mentioned in a previous blog post, the hardness of a stone is determined by a scale known as the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. In layman’s terms, the Moh’s Scale is a way to describe how easily one material scratches another. The scale is ranked according to numbers 1-10, where each number represents a different material. A material with a higher number can scratch a material with a lower number (for example, a material ranked a 7 on the Moh’s Scale can scratch a material that is ranked as a 6, but not the other way around). Amethysts rank a 7 on the Moh’s Scale, which essentially means that they are durable–but not indestructible. This means that amethysts are amazing stones to be used in earrings, necklaces, or even brooches or pins, as these types of jewelry typically are exposed to minimal abrasion. While amethysts can absolutely be used in rings and bracelets, it is advisable to have them set in a bezel setting for added protection for the stone–and don’t forget to take your amethyst jewelry off before showering, swimming, working out, cleaning, etc. (though we recommend that everyone does this with all of your jewelry, no matter the gemstone, to preserve the quality and longevity of your pieces!). And don’t forget–wearing any ring when sleeping can cause damage to the prongs, so don’t forget to take your rings off before you go to sleep!
So…why are amethysts February’s birthstone?
Stunning estate 14K white gold, diamond, and amethyst pendant available at Gilded Design Studio for the shockingly low price of $550
Amethysts were chosen to represent the month of February for the simple reason that they represent so much of what the month of love stands for: tradition, clarity, self-control, and protection. February has long been considered a time of reflection, transition, and preparing for a long-awaited Springtime season as you celebrate those you love the most, so the vibes of this vibrant gem align beautifully with those associations.
Hopefully this post has inspired you to add some beautiful amethyst pieces to your jewelry collection–or perhaps to choose a gift for someone you love who has a February birthday (or, of course, as a Valentine’s Day gift!). We have several beautiful amethyst pieces in stock at Gilded Design Studio, such as the breathtaking estate amethyst pendant featured above, or we would be honored to help you choose or create a special piece that your heart desires.
From all of us to all of you: Happy Birthday to all of our February birthday readers, and welcome to the month of love! We are so grateful to be a part of your love story here at Gilded Design Studio, and we look forward to seeing you soon. 🙂