February’s Purple Birthstone-Amethyst

No matter what month you are born, you have a birthstone. The birthstone for February is the amethyst. The amethyst is mainly known as a purple stone. This stone has a rich history and has several meanings over the years. This stone is not only pretty to look at, but it has other benefits too.

Amethysts Colorful History

The amethyst’s meaning changed throughout history. Beginning with the Ancient Greeks and Romans, they thought an amethyst stone kept the wearer’s head clear and had a quick wit. In the times of Kings and Queens, the amethyst was only for the wealthy. So the English used the amethyst to symbolize royalty. Kings and queens would cover themselves with amethysts to show their status. Yet in religion, the clergy uses amethyst to symbolize Christ. The Bible also states that amethyst was one of the stones to represent one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

As the amethyst supply became more readily available, more people began purchasing the stone. The increase in the availability of the amethyst stone allowed everyone to buy it and admire its beauty. The amethyst not only represents February’s birthstone but the sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversary.

The Coloring Varies
The amethyst belongs to the quartz family. Quartz stones do come in many colors depending on the location. The amethyst is no different. The amethyst is mainly known for its purple color, but can also be in different variations. The color options include a light pinkish-violet, deep purple, or even have blue or red tones. In some instances, an amethyst can have a yellowish-brown coloring. This particular coloring is not seen as valuable because of the extra minerals in the stone.

The shade can also vary with each stone, depending on the location of the rock. Because amethyst is in the Earth’s crust, the coloring comes in layers. The emphasis in color can occur from the cut of the amethyst stone, as well as irradiation and iron. A trained and certified jeweler will ensure you get the best color and cut for your amethyst stone.

Characteristics

Quartz is a harder stone. The amethyst hardness matches the other quartz stones. So this makes the amethyst stones very durable and suitable for everyday wear. The durability also allows the wearer not to have not to have to worry about the size of the gem. No matter how small or large the stone, your amethyst can handle your everyday routine.

During the early days of the amethyst, it was a rare and precious stone. Later in its history, the locations increased around the world. Now you can find this abundant stone in the United States, Zambia, Brazil, and Canada. The amethyst is in the cavities of the granitic rock around the world. The amethyst crystals are inside the granitic rock or geode.

The practicality and coloring of the amethyst allow jewelers to create various cuts of the stone. It is not uncommon to see an amethyst stone in the shape of a solitaire or a square, but it can also come in the form of a heart, pear, teardrop, diamond, and triangle.

With a huge selection of certified diamonds in stock and an exclusive partnership with one of the world’s largest, conflict-free diamond manufacturers, Mark’s Diamonds is Denver’s most trusted source for high-quality common sense diamonds, fashion jewelry and diamond engagement rings in Denver, located conveniently in Cherry Creek North. Call 877.766.2757 or click below to schedule an appointment today!