February Birthstone

The February birthstone shares the month with the most famous holiday for love - Valentine's Day. From diamonds to colored gemstones, a gift of jewelry for Valentine's Day is something anyone will cherish and adore for years to come.

What better way to say "I love you" to someone born in February than with a stunning jewelry piece starring the birthstone for February?

What is the February Birthstone?

The February birthstone is the romantic, bright and passionate amethyst. The February gem color is a fascinating purple hue that ranges from pale lilac to a deep, intense royal purple. Regarded as the most valuable type, amethyst is the purple variety of the mineral quartz.

It is similar in properties to natural citrine and is used to create heat-treated citrine. Amethyst birthstone jewelry makes a thoughtful and personal birthday gift.

February Birthstone Meaning

The amethyst birthstone is said to soothe the mind and emotions, helping to control negative thoughts. It is also thought to decrease stress and anxiety, so wearing a beautiful amethyst ring, necklace or another jewelry piece may calm your mind.

Some believe that the birthstone for February may increase intelligence. If you're looking for a good grade on your next test, harness the powers of amethyst for some extra guidance. This gemstone is also said to bring wisdom, understanding, creativity and passion.

You can find this birthstone all over the world in places such as Mexico, Brazil and South Africa. But don't worry: you don't have to fly across the world to pick one up. The amethyst birthstone is beautiful in a wide variety of gorgeous jewelry pieces like stunning amethyst necklaces or gemstone earrings.

In addition to being the February birthstone, amethyst gemstones celebrate the sixth and 17th wedding anniversaries.

Amethyst Birthstone History

The February gemstone represents love and has a deep connection to Valentine's Day. In fact, St. Valentine was said to have worn an amethyst ring carved with the image of Cupid.

Romans associated amethyst birthstones with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. However, the name amethyst stems from the Greek word "amethystos" which means "not drunken". The ancient Greeks believed that the amethyst stone warded off drunkenness.

The association with wine may have been due to the stone’s wine-like color. In addition to preventing drunkenness, ancient civilizations believed that amethyst gave its wearer a clear head and clever planning abilities.

Amethyst was also a popular choice for royalty. Centuries ago, purple dye was hard to get. In fact, getting a pound of purple-dyed wool often would cost more than most people made in a year!

This high cost made purple a popular choice for royals because it was something only the wealthy could afford. Dress like a royal without breaking the bank with a little help from Zales.

February Birthstone Care

The amethyst rates a seven out of ten on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning it has good toughness. The amethyst is hard enough for all jewelry types so long as the wearer avoids a few things.

Sudden temperature changes can cause the amethyst to crack or break. Heat treatments can sometimes change the color. This is also why the color can fade with extended exposure to light. When not wearing the gem, simply store it away from light to preserve its vibrant color. Harsh chemicals can damage the February gemstone.

Clean your amethyst with warm soapy water. High powered cleaners are usually safe to use unless your stone has a crack.

Shop February Birthstones

At Zales, we love all of the gemstones, but for February birthdays or those who love purple, amethyst is a beautiful choice. After all, royalty coveted the vibrant purple hue of the amethyst birthstone. Give them as a gift to a special someone or even yourself for the royal treatment!

Celebrate a February birthday, Valentine's Day or the color purple with elegant amethyst jewelry. Shop our stunning collection of amethyst necklaces, earrings, bracelets as well as rings online or at a Zales store near you.