The meaning behind February's birthstone: Amethyst
This purple variety of quartz has captivated…
mankind for millennia. Amethyst’s lilac to deep purple hues can be cut into all sorts of shapes and sizes, and is also manufactured in a lab as well as mined. It’s found in the collections of royal families throughout Europe and Asia, but now it’s within reach of most consumers. Consider buying a stunning amethyst to treat yourself to a royal present. February’s birthstone can also be a symbol of personal empowerment and inner strength.
Derived from the Greek amethystos; “a remedy against drunkenness,”. Because of its wine-like color, early Greek mythology associated the gem with Bacchus, the god of wine. Amethyst was believed to keep the wearer clear headed and quick witted in battle and business affairs. Renaissance Europeans thought it calmed lovers overrun by passion.
Amethyst is traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary. Wear it to celebrate your wedding nuptials and you’ll be in royal company: Catherine the Great (Empress Catherine II of Russia, 1729–1796) had a penchant for the gem and decked herself in necklaces, earrings and other ornaments made from amethyst. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (1896–1986), made a memorable statement when she wore a lavish Cartier-designed amethyst bib necklace to a gala in Versailles in 1953.
Historically, royals have admired the deep purple hue since at least the days of Alexander the Great. Amethyst lore also includes several claims to mystical powers, including that it would convey strength and wit to those who wore it. If you celebrate a February birthday, wearing an amethyst can be a symbol of personal empowerment and inner strength.
An inscription on the center stone of this ancient necklace is a South Arabian script from the 8th century BCE.
Where is amethyst found…
Until large deposits were found in Brazil, Russia was the major source of amethyst until the 19th century, . Once as rare as ruby or emerald, amethyst suddenly flooded the market. Now-a-days, the most important sources of amethyst are in Africa and South America. Brazil is still a major supplier, especially its southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, though the rough amethyst mined there tends to have a lighter color than amethyst found in other countries.
The Anahí mine in Bolivia is another prominent source for amethyst. Hidden in the Pantanal wetlands, was discovered by a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s, given to him as dowry when he married Anahí (a princess from the Ayoreo tribe), forgotten for three centuries, and rediscovered in the 1960s. Famous in gem circles as the source of the unusual bicolored amethyst-citrine crystals called ametrine.
Care and cleaning…
Amethyst is 7 on the Mohs scale and is appropriate for daily use in rings and other jewelry, over time it may show wear and require repolishing. Take care when wearing gems such as rubies, sapphires and diamonds, as you can risk scratching your amethyst jewelry if you place it next to these harder stones...
Heat treatment can’t make pale amethyst darker, but it can lighten the color of very dark amethyst and make it more attractive. It can also remove unwanted brownish inclusions in some amethysts. Some amethyst turns yellow – to citrine – with heat treatment.
Heat treating amethyst results in a permanent change in color. However, submitting it to intense heat may render it slightly more brittle than usual, and care must be taken not to damage pointed faceted corners and sharp edges. Note, too, that excessive heat can remove the color entirely, and some amethyst fades with prolonged exposure to strong light. Though the color is stable with normal use, this is not a birthstone to wear to the beach every day.
Amethyst birthstone jewelry can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner, but steam cleaning is not recommended. A soft brush with mild soap is the safest option.
As you shop for the February birthstone, you’ll also encounter lab-created amethyst. Having the same chemical and physical properties as its natural counterpart, synthetic amethyst has been known since the 1970s. In some cases, it is very difficult to distinguish natural from synthetic amethyst without access to advanced gemological testing. Merchants are required to tell you if a gem is natural or synthetic.