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Amethyst - Symbolic Meaning and Gemstone Care
Amethyst’s symbolic meaning is linked to both sobriety and romantic love. Learn more about how to style and care for February’s lavender colored birthstone. This alluring gemstone has been revered for centuries for its beautiful color, symbolic meaning and beauty in fine jewelry.
The Meaning of Amethyst
February’s birthstone Amethyst has two very different traditional meanings. One stems from the origin of its name, which comes from the Greek word “amethustos”, meaning “not intoxicated.” This is based on the ancient Greek legend claiming amethysts could prevent drunkenness. Greeks were reported to drink from Amethyst encrusted or carved drinking vessels in the hopes of preventing drunkenness.
The Meaning of Amethyst
February’s birthstone Amethyst has two very different traditional meanings. One stems from the origin of its name, which comes from the Greek word “amethustos”, meaning “not intoxicated.” This is based on the ancient Greek legend claiming amethysts could prevent drunkenness. Greeks were reported to drink from Amethyst encrusted or carved drinking vessels in the hopes of preventing drunkenness.
The second meaning comes from its possible association with St. Valentine, a Roman priest who in 270 AD defied the orders of Claudius the Cruel and performed secret marriages. He was executed for defying the decree on February 14, and the legend of his Amethyst Ring with a cupid carved on it has formed a tie between this luscious purple gemstone and romantic love. This explains why Amethyst is the birthstone for February and the Zodiac signs Aquarius and Pisces and is the designated gemstone for the sixth and 17th wedding anniversary.
The second meaning comes from its possible association with St. Valentine, a Roman priest who in 270 AD defied the orders of Claudius the Cruel and performed secret marriages. He was executed for defying the decree on February 14, and the legend of his Amethyst Ring with a cupid carved on it has formed a tie between this luscious purple gemstone and romantic love. This explains why Amethyst is the birthstone for February and the Zodiac signs Aquarius and Pisces and is the designated gemstone for the sixth and 17th wedding anniversary.
Amethyst, is tied to the Crown Chakra, the center of spirituality and so enhances intuition, meditation and spirituality. You will often find Amethyst in meditation spaces as it helps rid the mind of negative thoughts and brings forth humility, sincerity, and spiritual wisdom.
Since ancient times, humans have associated gemstones with healing properties and spiritual significance.
The pull to attach special significance to gemstones continues in modern times, with the designation in 1912 of birthstones for each month by the American National Association of Jewelers. Whether you choose a stone for its traditional spiritual meaning, its connection to your birth month, or love the color of the stone, it is fun to understand these traditions.
Amethyst - Gemstone Knowledge
Amethyst is made up of quartz crystals and gets its color from irradiation and trace amounts of iron. This semi precious stone varies in color from a pale lavender to a deep purple. In its natural state, amethyst can present with bands of color sometimes fading to clear. The gem cutter’s art comes in cutting a stone with a consistent color.
Amethyst - Gemstone Knowledge
Amethyst is made up of quartz crystals and gets its color from irradiation and trace amounts of iron. This semi precious stone varies in color from a pale lavender to a deep purple. In its natural state, amethyst can present with bands of color sometimes fading to clear. The gem cutter’s art comes in cutting a stone with a consistent color.
Amethyst is found around the world in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Amethysts can be found in the center of geodes, with the six sided crystals clustering above the geode base on the interior. Large deposits in Brazil and Uruguay are important sources, but amethyst is also mined in Canada, France, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States (at Four Peaks Mine in Arizona).
Caring for your Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst is rated 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it is durable and appropriate for everyday wear. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches. Amethyst can be scratched by gemstones which are harder on the Mohs Scale such as Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Diamonds. Store your Amethyst jewelry in your jewelry pouch or box to keep the gemstone from being scratched by these harder stones.
Amethyst is durable and so is a very good choice for everyday wear, with a little care. You can wear your Amethyst jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping and exercising. Amethyst can fade in color if overexposed to light or heat for a prolonged period, however.
Amethyst is durable and so is a very good choice for everyday wear, with a little care. You can wear your Amethyst jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping and exercising. Amethyst can fade in color if overexposed to light or heat for a prolonged period, however.
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Amethyst jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (away from the sink drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Amethyst jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (away from the sink drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
Styling with Amethyst Jewelry
Those who love purple can tell you how versatile this rich color is for styling. Because it contains both warm and cool color tones, it looks beautiful with any outfit from a pale pink to a deep blue.
Framed with a white blouse, the royal purple of this Newport Amethyst Necklace and Warren Amethyst Pendant with Diamonds are the stars of the show. The neutral setting of the blouse truly sets the focus on the rich tones of the Amethyst gemstones.
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Amethyst combines beautifully with other gemstones, especially when they are analogous colors, or close to purple on the color wheel like the blue of Sapphires and Nantucket Blue Topaz. Amethyst generates positive transformation, Sapphire guards the innocent and Blue Topaz promotes peace. 100% of profits from the HOPE Collection are donated to Color of Change, which supports racial justice.
Consider pairing Amethyst with Diamonds set in White Gold to bring out the cooler tones of the gemstone as with this Rosecliff Stackable Ring. The contrast of the bright diamonds and cool Amethyst enhances the alluring purple. When paired with yellow gold the warmer tones are accentuated, as with the Rosecliff Amethyst and Diamond Bar Necklace and Greenwich Amethyst and Diamond Necklace.
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FAQ
Amethysts can range from pale lilac to deep purple. Strongly saturated reddish purple is generally the most desired color, though personal preferences vary widely. Naturally occurring Amethyst forms in crystals and can have bands of color within one crystal, but cut gemstones are generally more consistent in color. When creating jewelry with multiple stones, HAVERHILL stone selectors choose stones which match so that there is a consistent color for all the stones in the piece of jewelry or set.
Amethyst can be sensitive to sunlight and extreme heat, but it would take prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme heat to cause Amethyst to fade. We recommend you do not steam clean amethyst jewelry or use an ultrasonic cleaner. It is always best to store your jewelry in a cloth pouch or box to protect it and keep it from being scratched.
Absolutely not! People wear gemstones for many reasons, not just because they are the birthstone for the month they were born. You may choose to wear a stone because you feel a connection to the color, because the traditional meaning resonates with you, or because it reminds you of someone you love like a child, a friend or a loved one who has passed away. Jewelry is extremely personal and you should feel free to wear gemstones that speak to you.