| If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, | | | | The intense violet hue of February's birthstone |
| you probably also remember the special birthstone | | | | appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they |
| assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really | | | | often wore this color...as a symbol of their elevated |
| know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what | | | | position. Purple dye was once scarce and expensive, |
| power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you | | | | so it was reserved for the garments of royalty, and |
| by wearing it. | | | | the color came to symbolize power and status. |
| February's birthstone: Amethyst | | | | Sobering Thoughts with Amethyst |
| Birthstone powers: Brings peace and calm to your life | | | | The Greeks believed that whoever wore an amethyst |
| Alternative Birthstone: Bloodstone | | | | or drank from an amethyst cup would not become |
| Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February | | | | intoxicated. In fact, the word amethyst is derived from |
| and the traditional anniversary gemstone for the sixth | | | | the Greek word "amethystos," meaning sober. In |
| of marriage. Once considered more valuable than | | | | ancient Greece, the gemstone was associated with |
| diamonds, this member of the quartz member occurs | | | | the god of wine, and it was common practice to serve |
| naturally as crystals within rocks. The stones are | | | | this beverage from Amethyst goblets in the belief that |
| mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, | | | | this would prevent overindulgence. It was also claimed |
| Zambia, Australia and in the mountains of Russia | | | | that amethyst had a sobering effect on those "drunk" |
| American amethysts are mined in Maine, Pennsylvania, | | | | on love's passion. |
| North Carolina, Montana and Colorado. Amethyst from | | | | Even today, amethyst is considered a stabilizing force |
| Maine is usually dark with North Carolina amethyst | | | | for those struggling to overcome addictive behaviors. In |
| having a bluish tint unique to that area. Amethyst can | | | | general, the gemstone is believed to be a calming, |
| lighten if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. | | | | tranquil influence that symbolizes peace. |
| When heated to 550-560 Centigrade, the color | | | | Amethyst and Prayer |
| changes to dark yellow or reddish brown. (They are | | | | Amethyst is symbolic of piety, spirituality, and a |
| then called citrines. These are more richly colored and | | | | devotion to God. The rich purple gemstones are used |
| more expensive then natural citrines) | | | | worldwide to ornament churches and crosses used in |
| Ideally deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes, | | | | religious ceremony, and they frequently found in the |
| amethysts generally range in hue from pale lilac to | | | | rings and on the rosaries worn by bishops and priests. |
| nearly black purple. Since purple has always been the | | | | It is also believed that amethysts bring on pleasant |
| color of royalty, amethysts abound in the ornaments of | | | | dreams because they allow you to "channel" positive |
| in the British Crown Jewels and in the adornments of | | | | universal energy. As a result many people place an |
| the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, as well. They have | | | | amethyst under their pillow before going to sleep at |
| been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth | | | | night to enjoy "sweet dreams" throughout the night. |
| century, adorning royal jewelry, scepters, and crowns. | | | | |