February Birthstone: Amethyst, History and Care

The February birthstone at a glance

If you were born in February, your birthstone is amethyst, a purple quartz. All the modern lists agree: the 1912 American list, the British list and the current American list. The so-called traditional list, which is older and varies more between authors, adds hyacinth (a variety of zircon) and pearl.

A birthstone list has no official value: it is a custom, kept alive by the jewellery trade. It places no obligation on you; if another stone speaks to you more, wear it.

Amethyst: a quartz coloured by iron

Amethyst is a variety of quartz, like rock crystal, citrine or rose quartz. Its purple colour comes from traces of iron and from natural irradiation within the rock. It often forms in cavities of volcanic rocks: geodes, hollows lined with crystals, sometimes contain spectacular examples.

Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a sturdy jewellery stone. It is found in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia and elsewhere. In Antiquity it was rare and precious; the discovery of large deposits in Brazil in the 19th century made it much more affordable.

The name comes from the Greek amethystos, “not intoxicating”: the ancient Greeks believed it protected against drunkenness, and it is said that drinking cups were carved from this stone. This is an ancient belief, reported by ancient authors; it has no scientific basis, but it explains the name.

Traditional symbolism

Violet was long the colour of spiritual authority: amethyst adorned bishops’ rings, and Christian tradition links it with sobriety and piety. In modern symbolism, it is associated with calm, reflection and intuition. It is often linked to the third eye chakra or the crown chakra; these correspondences are recent traditions and vary between authors.

These are symbols, not proven effects. An amethyst does not replace treatment or medical advice.

A little history of birthstones

In the 1st century, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, writing about the high priest’s breastplate, linked its twelve stones to the twelve months and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Later, in the 4th century, Saint Jerome took up this idea and suggested that the foundation stones of the heavenly Jerusalem, described in the Book of Revelation, would also suit Christians. In the 8th and 9th centuries, some religious texts assigned a stone to each of the twelve apostles.

These successive links show that the tradition of twelve stones is old, but that it has changed a great deal: amethyst, for example, appears in some ancient biblical lists (depending on the Greek translations of Exodus) and in the modern February list. So we cannot always be sure that the name of an ancient stone really refers to the stone we call by that name today.

Other possible stones for February

If you are looking for a slightly different purple stone:

• ametrine, half purple and half golden;
• fluorite, often purple or banded green and purple, but much softer (hardness 4);
• charoite, a swirling purple stone from Russia;
• sugilite, an intense purple.

These are colour suggestions, not February stones in the official lists.

Giving a February birthstone

Amethyst is an easy gift: lovely in all its forms, affordable and sturdy. For an adult, a well-sized ring or pendant; for someone who likes objects, a point or a small geode to place on a shelf; for a child or a beginner, a tumbled stone.

You will find ideas in our jewellery and stones and minerals ranges.

Care, treatments and imitations

Cleaning. Amethyst tolerates lukewarm water and a little mild soap; dry it thoroughly. Ultrasonic cleaning is possible for a clean stone without cracks, but water and a cloth are enough.

Light and heat. This is amethyst’s weak point: long, repeated exposure to direct sunlight can fade its colour, and strong heat changes it (see below). Store it away from light and do not keep it on a window ledge.

Common treatments. Heated amethyst can turn yellow or orange: much of the citrine sold commercially is made this way, and heating can also produce prasiolite (green quartz). This is not deception when it is disclosed, but you should know about it. Very purple stones are sometimes irradiated to strengthen the colour; this is a common treatment.

Imitations. Purple glass and coloured fluorite are the most frequent imitations, along with synthetic quartz (amethyst made in a laboratory). A very even, intensely purple “amethyst” sold at a very low price calls for caution. See our guide to choosing and caring for your stones and the stone glossary.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to birthstones.