Those lucky enough to be born in the lovely month of February get one of possibly the most popular of gemstones to mark the occasion - Amethyst! As the most famous gem in the quartz family, amethyst is well known for its beautiful colouring ranging from lilac to deep purple to even reddish-purple tones.
The name Amethyst derives form the Greek word 'Amethystos' which translates to 'not intoxicated' - coming from the Greek's belief that the stone could help prevent drunkeness, adorning wine goblets with the gemstone. However the use of amethyst in jewellery can actually be traced back all the way to around 4000 BC, with even some gold rings with the stone being dug up and dated to 2400 BC!
Amethysts also have a strong association with romance and St Valentine, therefore earning its connection with the month February and becoming the birthstone of the month.
Photo by Ilze Lucero on Unsplash
So where do we find this beautiful stone and how does it get its pigmentation? Amethyst crystals typically form in hollow rocks, the geodes forming when there are cavities in volcanic rock. The cooling combination of the volcanic material, water and gases crystallises to form the stone we know today. The vibrant colour of the gem comes from the amount of iron in it - how much iron there is in each amethyst is what determinds the colour. The more iron there is the deeper the colour. The most desirable of colours being a dark 'siberian purple'.
Natural amethyst can be found all over the world with the best deposits being in Brazil. There is also synthetic amethyst which is grown quickly in labs but is often good enough in quality that even some geologisists can struggle to tell them apart.
Thought to have a spiritual connection with many cultures, particulary with the third eye and crown chakras, there is a relatively wide range of meanings for Amethyst. A general belief is that this stone and its different hues help promote peace, cleansing and calming energy to its wearer. It is also associated with meanings such as serenity, understanding, trust and grace.
In relation to the Greek origin of the gemstone's name, there is a tale of how the Amethyst came to receive its rich colour by the tears of the God, Dionysus. The story goes that there was once a young woman who rejected a drunk Dionysus and so she found herself at the end of the God's wrath. However, the woman called out the the Goddess Diana for help who then turned her into pale quartz. Realising what he had done was wrong, Dionysus wept wine stained tears which were then absorbed into the quarts and turning it the purple colour we know.
Amethyst is a pretty tough and durable gem, with a hardness rating of 7 - making it perfect for everyday jewellery as well as cutting into all sorts of beautiful shapes and sizes. Because of this it can be cleaned safely with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Although, you should never use any harsh household cleaners on them.
Another thing to keep in mind about amethysts is that despite them being a rather strong gem, there is still the chance it could get scratched by gems higher up on the hardness scale including; diamond, ruby and sapphire. Amethysts should also be kept away from extreme heat and extensive exposure to sunlight as both of these can drastically change the colour of your stone. Best to keep them safe and sound in a jewellery box when you're not wearing them.
Our range of stunning handmade amethyst jewellery covers quite the range of styles and price ranges so you can find the perfect amethyst piece fore you. We thought we'd share a couple of our incredible artists and their gorgeous jewellery with you so we can admire this colourful stone properly.
This simple in design but stunning beaten silver ring with amethyst makes a lovely addition to any jewellery box. It looks great alone but also stacked with some other slim rings.
With the words "if you believe in yourself anything is possible" hand stamped into the piece this beautiful anything is possible bangle with amethyst would make a gorgeous gift for a loved one whom you'd like to encourage to seize the day.
The faceted cut of the amethyst glistening at each turn when worn, these beautiful gemstone silver stud earrings will never go out of style with their minimilist design.
This stunning amethyst petals hammered silver ring is truly a statement piece sure to catch the eye of everyone. The ring is thoughtfully made, petals stretching around the jewelley and overlapping with three beautifully cut amethysts set into it.
If you're after some jewellery a little different the previous pieces I've just shown you, this intricate amulet beaded gemstone and ammonite fossil necklace in the design solstice might be just what you're looking for. Amethyst features heavily as small delicate beads decorate the length of the necklace.
If you prefer a more organic look to your crystals, we suggest these gorgeous amethyst rock and silver drop earrings. These earrings embrace the stunning natural form of the gemstone while carefully wrapped in silver wire before being attached to the hook.