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A Matter of Brilliance is a professional jewelry appraisal company based in Newton, MA, founded by Aimee Berrent, Graduate Gemologist. Our appraisals can be used to:
Purple Passion: Amethyst, February’s Birthstone
The spectacular purples in February’s birthstone, the amethyst, range from a light, delicate lilac to an intoxicating winey blend of rich purple and red. Speaking of intoxicating, its name comes from the Greek “amethystos,” meaning not drunk—it was believed that the stone could keep you from overdrinking. (Don’t try this on your own!)
Until the 1800s, the gemstone was on a par with emeralds and sapphires. When a large cache of amethysts was found in Brazil, their price came down, and Art Deco and Retro jewelers made good use of them in jewelry, especially in rings.
What you should know about amethysts
- They’re actually a form of quartz, with a Mohs hardness of 7. It’s a durable stone for daily wear, but may eventually get worn down.
- They were believed to keep wearers clear-headed—DaVinci believed that the stone enhanced intelligence and protected against bad thoughts.
- Catherine the Great loved the stone—she covered herself in amethyst jewelry.
- Healing properties: Some believe that the crystal is a natural tranquilizer, relieving stress and dissolving negativity. It’s seen as a basic healing crystal.
- Geodes, crystal-lined hollow stones filled with amethysts are common. According to the GIA, some are so large you can stand in them.
Taking care of your amethyst jewelry
- The most expensive color is deep purple/red. Buy a stone that has even coloring when you look at it from above.
- Avoid stones with brownish or bronze colored tinting. They aren’t as valuable as the more solid purple stones. Also see if there are any visible inclusions—these can also reduce a stone’s value.
- There are synthetic amethysts (created in labs) which can’t be identified by eye. However, the seller is required to tell you if a gem is natural or synthetic, so be sure to ask.
Enjoy your amethyst, whether for its calming properties or as a beautiful statement piece. Whether you’re a February birthday boy or girl, or just passionate about purple, this beautiful stone won’t disappoint.
Aimee, this is such a fun post! I read it to my daughter whose birthstone is Amethyst. It’s great to read about the history and also get some practical tips on choosing a stone.