February’s lovely birthstone: Royal Amethyst

“When the deep purple falls…” February birthday babes, your birthstone is the centuries-old amethyst.

• This form of quartz can be found in shades of purple ranging from deep to light to mauve.
• Its name comes from “amethystos,” ancient Greek for “not drunk,” as it was historically thought to banish drunkenness.
• In modern times, its crystals are thought to bring serenity and healing.
• There’s a connection between the stone and Valentine’s Day: St. Valentine was said to wear an amethyst ring carved with an image of Cupid.

Qualities of the Amethyst

The stone’s purple color comes from small of amounts of iron impurities. It’s a first-cousin to the citrine — under heat or pressure, the purple changes to red/orange. Most citrines are actually amethysts — naturally occurring stones are rare.

Caring for Your Amethyst Jewelry

The amethyst is a relatively hard mineral, which makes it a good option for all kinds of jewelry. As with most jewels, you do have to be careful about exposing it to extreme heat. According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), it can be cleaned with warm soapy water and ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe (unless the stone is dyed).

So, fabulous February friends, happy birthday. Whether you’re a commoner or “born to the purple” (royalty), your beautiful purple stone awaits.

As always, if I can help you appraise your amethysts, diamonds, or any other jewelry and valuables, let me know!

Brilliantly yours,

Aimee