According to the Gregorian Calender, Amethyst is the February birth stone. This is linked is with the Star sign Aquarius, the 'Water Bearer' which runs from January 21st - February 19th. As with many of the gems, there are significant meanings and notable healing properties attributed to Amethyst.
According to record, a list was devised by the American National Association of Jewellers to assign a gemstone to every month. The list was created in Kansas City, Missouri, in early 1912. The list suffered a negative public reaction as it was seen as a purely commercial venture, although the list is still accepted today.
Amethyst is a crystallized quartz of silicon dioxide origin. It is most regularly available in shades of lilac, red, and purple, which was originally linked to religion, sorrow, and bereavement. It is currently only mined in parts of South America and Africa and has since gained an almost royal status due to the difficulties in producing the color purple, and as a result is linked more to power and riches.
Amethyst is associated with the power to heal migraine, joint conditions, sleeplessness, and most notably, withdrawal of addiction. 'Amethystos' is Greek for 'remedy for drunkenness' and explains where the name the 'Sobriety Stone' may have originated. Using a glass made from the gemstone is said to enhance the owner's business acumen and success.
According to legend, Bacchus the Greek god of wine was fed up of humans and proclaimed that the next one he came across would be fed to his tigers. Amethyst was the pretty mortal who was to feel the wrath of an angry god, casually making her way to pray to the goddess Diana. Diana could see what Bacchus was planning and tried to save the human by transforming her into a pillar of quartz. When Bacchus noticed what he had done he poured red wine on the pillar which turned her purple.
The gemstone promotes stability, peace, balance, courage, and inner strength for the owner. It is also the gemstone for the 17th wedding anniversary. The largest amethyst known today is kept at the Natural History Museum in London, at 343 carats. Heating amethyst causes a change in color. The yellow hue that appears under higher temperatures produces the very popular 'burnt amethyst'.
Surrounded by myth and legend, the February birth stone can allegedly cure a plethora of ailments, stop you from being drunk and promote calm and balance in the life of the wearer.
Now you can find unique and beautiful jewelry that will set a February birth stone apart. Distinctive birth stone pieces that will fit the needs of any fussy shopper can be easily found.