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February

Amethyst

Believed to bring power to the wearer.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz crystal getting its color from irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace elements. Although there are other purple gems such as sapphire and tanzanite, amethyst is the gem most commonly associated with the color. The purple color of amethyst can range from a light lilac to a deep, intense royal purple (BTW--amethyst was once only worn by royalty) and from brownish to vivid. Amethyst used to be as expensive as ruby and emerald up until the 19th Century when Brazil's large deposits were discovered.

Legend has it that amethyst was created when the wine god Backus drenched a crystallized maiden with the juice of the grape and was thought to prevent drunkenness, especially if the drinker used an amethyst cup. The word amethystos means "not drunk" in ancient Greek. Amethyst was also considered a cure for headaches, toothaches and gout in addition to providing protection from poisoning and plague. In addition, amethyst was believed to protect soldiers, bring victory, and help hunters capture wild beasts.

Other February Birthstones

Pearls, also June's primary birthstone, are organic gemstones, created by the secretions of certain mollusks to smooth a grain of sand or other irritant that makes its way inside the mollusk's shell. In addition to decoration pearls have been used medicinally throughout the ages.

Hyacinth is a yellow-red to red-brown variety of zircon. According to ancient Greek myth, a young man name Hyacinth was killed by a disk thrown during competition by Apollo, the God of Light. Drops of his blood which fell to the ground turned to hyacinth flowers which in turn hardened into jewels. According to legend hyacinth protects against the “evil eye”, malicious spirits, and nightmares.