February's birthstone is the amethyst — a stunning purple variety of quartz that has been associated with royalty and spiritual clarity for centuries.
Gemstone
Amethyst
Colour
Purple — from light lilac to deep violet
Hardness
7 Mohs
Symbolism
Clarity, calm, and wisdom
Amethyst has been prized since ancient times. The Greeks believed it could prevent intoxication — the name derives from "amethystos" meaning "not drunk". Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets for protection in battle, believing the stone would keep them clear-headed.
The finest amethysts display a rich, saturated purple with flashes of red and blue. The most valued stones come from Brazil, Zambia, and Uruguay. Siberian amethyst, with its distinctive reddish-purple hue, is considered the finest variety.
At 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, amethyst is durable enough for all types of jewellery. Its affordability relative to other purple gemstones (such as purple sapphire) makes it an excellent choice for statement pieces.
Amethyst looks stunning in both white metals (platinum, white gold) which enhance its purple hue, and yellow gold which creates a regal, vintage feel. It pairs well with diamonds for added brilliance.
The February birthstone is the amethyst — a purple variety of quartz ranging from light lilac to deep violet. It symbolises clarity, calm, and wisdom.
Amethyst is classified as a semi-precious stone, though historically it was considered precious and was valued alongside diamonds and rubies until large deposits were discovered in Brazil.
Yes — at 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, amethyst is durable enough for daily wear in rings, earrings, and pendants. Avoid exposing it to prolonged direct sunlight, which can fade the colour over time.