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February Birthstone: A Complete Guide + Alternative Stones

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For our Valentine’s month babies, the February birthstone is amethyst, a gorgeous purple gem with rich history and allure. Even if you’re not a gemstone enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of birthstones. Of course, there are also some alternative February birthstones.

The month of February is named from the Latin februa, meaning “to cleanse.” More precisely, the name comes from the Roman dies Februatus, more commonly called Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival of purification and fertility held during February.

The semi-precious gemstone amethyst reflects these ideals, with rich symbolism in spirituality and purification.

Today, we’ll dive into the February birthstone’s meanings, history, and properties, along with alternate birthstones and jewelry ideas.

Historical & Cultural Significance of the February Birthstone Amethyst

Amethysts are known for symbolizing royalty, passion, and spirituality. They’re the traditional 6th and 33rd wedding anniversary gem, along with holding their place as the February birthstone for quite some time.

But where do birthstones come from?

Origins of Birthstones

The idea of birthstones may stem from Biblical texts.

1st-century AD historian Titus Flavius Josephus was likely the first to connect the twelve stones mentioned in the Biblical High Priest’s Breastplate to the 12 months of the year and the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Inspired by Josephus, 5th-century AD Latin priest St. Jerome also connected the breastplate stones to the twelve Foundation Stones mentioned later in the Bible and encouraged Christians to wear all 12 stones.

Another potential origin is the ancient Hindu Ratna Shastra, the science of precious stones. Texts from the 5th to 6th centuries AD connect nine gems with different gods, planets, months, weekdays, and attributes.

Jewelers started selling birthstone jewelry around the 1500s, either in Germany or Poland, and wearing one’s birthstone was common in Poland by the 1700s.

For centuries before this, people would often wear all 12 birthstones together or a different birthstone each month to harness that gem’s “heightened” abilities during that month.

The first modern formalized list of birthstones came about in the late 1800s, when Tiffany & Co. published a pamphlet of “Gregorian Birthstone Poems” in 1870, credited to an “unknown author.”

Here’s the February birthstone poem:

“The February-born shall find

Sincerity and peace of mind,

Freedom from passion and from care,

If they an amethyst will wear."

The National Association of Jewellers (now the Jewellers of America) created a standardized birthstone list in 1912. The list was updated in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council of America, and some other updates have been made since.

Another list was developed in 1937 by the National Association of Goldsmiths in Britain, with many of the same monthly stones as the other 1900s lists.

Back to amethyst, this February birthstone’s history similarly goes back centuries.

Pictured above: Amethyst intaglio with carved portrait of Constantius II wearing military dress and a bejeweled headband, held at the British Museum, dated about 360 AD | Image credit: Vassil, Public domain

Ancient Mythology of Amethyst

The name “amethyst” derives from the Greek amethystos, meaning “not drunk.” The meaning stems from an ancient belief that the stone prevented one from getting too drunk, but another Greek mythological legend (actually written in 1576 by French Renaissance poet Remy Belleau) is often cited, too.

According to the Greek legend, a maiden named Amethyste was coming home from worshiping Artemis (Diana) when she stumbled into the god of wine, Dionysus (Bacchus). Dionysus was angry and drunk, ready to take it out on the next mortal to cross him — or according to some tellings, angry that Amethyste rejected his affections.

Regardless, Dionysus (or his tigers) chased Amethyste, who asked Artemis for help. Artemis transformed Amethyste into a clear gem. Dionysus, humbled and regretful, poured wine over the stone, turning it purple.

Outside of myths, ancient Greeks and Romans drank from amethyst-encrusted goblins to stay lucid while drinking.

In ancient Egypt, amethyst was a rare naturally purple material, making it highly sought-after and prestigious to own. It was both worn by pharaohs and gifted by them to courtiers to reward good service and signify elevated status. Darker amethysts held greater significance as social status symbols.

Ancient Egyptians also believed the February birthstone had mystical properties for attracting love and sex (both in human life or the afterlife), along with protecting against evil.

Pictured above: Gold necklace with gold cross, two amethysts, and an emerald plasma; Displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Dated to Byzantine era, 6th to 7th century | Image credit: Met Museum, Public domain

Amethyst Cultural Meanings

Catholic bishops in the Middle Ages wore amethyst rings – often carved, like Saint Valentine’s amethyst ring carved with an image of Cupid — to symbolize abstinence from alcohol and being “wed” to the Church. The rings were also believed to offer spiritual protection, with some kissing the ring for this safety.

Christians during the Middle Ages started associating amethyst with Christ as a symbol of purity, healing, and protection. This may stem from the common belief that the February birthstone calmed passions and healed wounds.

Tibetan Buddhists also considered amethyst sacred. They often used amethyst beads for meditation tools called Malas, Sanskrit for “garlands,” where one touches each bead on the strand while repeating a mantra at each one.

In ancient China, amethyst was used for protection and attracting wealth when used in Feng Shui.

Another historical interpretation of the February birthstone’s meaning was that it facilitated prophetic visions and brought wealth to its wearer.

Although Europeans during the Renaissance believed amethyst symbolized humility, royals throughout time have worn amethyst as a sign of nobility. Some of these include Catherine the Great of Russia and Queen Elizabeth II of Britain.

Pictured above: St. Edward's Crown, part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, created in 1661; Consisting of purple velvet, ermine, gold, amethyst, garnet, olivine, peridot, ruby, sapphire, topaz, tourmalines, and zircon | Image credit: Firebrace, Public domain | NOTE: This crown is not described in the following list

Royal Amethysts

Famous examples of royal amethysts include:

• The Napoleonic Amethyst Parure: Amethysts and diamonds in necklace (now a tiara), earrings, 2 bracelets (often used as necklace), brooch with detachable pendant, and another brooch; First belonged to Empress Joséphine (wife of Napoleon I), passed down as wedding gifts to Princess (later Duchess) Augusta of Bavaria, then Queen Josefina of Sweden & Norway; First photographed on Queen Louise in 1938

• Kent Amethysts: Amethyst demi-parure with necklace, hair combs, earrings, and 3 brooches; Created in early 1800s; First owned by Duchess of Kent, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld; Passed down to her daughter, Queen Victoria I who made the set heirlooms of the royal family

• Cartier Amethyst Bib: Amethyst, turquoise, and diamond necklace made by Cartier and given by the Duke to Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, in 1947

• Bavarian Amethyst Demi-Parure: Amethyst and diamond necklace & earrings; Amethysts first owned by Queen Therese of Bavaria, who had them set into a necklace and earrings; Passed down to King Otto and Queen Amalia of Greece, then down Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria’s family lineage; Auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2013

• Queen Mary’s Amethyst Parure: Tiara, necklace, earrings, brooch, and ring; Dated to about 1815, probably wedding gift to Queen Mary in 1893; Passed to Queen Elizabeth; Auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1993

• Nassau Amethysts: Two amethyst tiaras, necklace, and earrings from Luxembourg jewel vaults; Worn by women in the Grand Ducal Royal Family

• Duchess of Cornwall’s Amethysts: Heart-shaped amethyst and pearl necklace and earrings; Wedding gift from Queen Alexandra to Queen Victoria II in 1923, later gifted to Camilla

• Norwegian Amethyst Parure: Convertible necklace & tiara, earrings, bracelets, and brooch; Gift to Queen Sonja by King Harald; Worn by Norwegian royals Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Martha Louis

• Flora Danica Tiara: Amethyst bead base with 3 silver lilies; Made by Copenhagen jeweler Flora Danica for Princess Maria of Denmark

A more infamous amethyst is the “Delhi Sapphire,” a supposedly cursed sapphire stolen from an Indian temple that turned out to be an amethyst.

Geology & Composition of February Birthstone Amethyst

Mineralogy-wise, amethyst is a variety of macrocrystalline quartz, meaning a type of quartz with large, individual crystals visible to the naked eye. As such, amethyst is composed of silicon dioxide.

Historically, amethysts were quite rare to find until huge deposits were discovered in Brazil in the 1700s. Today, amethyst is found all over the world, with a large portion still coming from Brazil.

Some of the highest-quality amethysts are Siberian, known for having a vivid purple hue with blue and red flashes. Amethysts labeled “Siberian” today may not come from Siberia, but share those characteristic color qualities.

The February birthstone forms in lava when trapped gas bubbles create space for water containing dissolved silica (and traces of iron) to seep in and slowly crystallize as the lava cools.

Unlike many gems, amethysts often form in geodes, which are hollow rocks containing layers of crystals inside.

The conditions also allow for this February birthstone’s color range.

Exploring Amethyst’s Color Range

The purple color of amethyst happens naturally when iron or aluminum impurities enter the mixture as the crystal forms, and natural irradiation creates purple color centers in the stone. More iron and longer irradiation leads to deeper purple colors.

The shades of amethyst range from pale lilac to deep royal purple. Paler colored specimens are called rose de France amethysts.

Pleochroism (different colors at different viewing angles) in amethyst means the gem can appear blue-violet or purple depending on the viewing angle.

The February stone’s coloring is often unevenly distributed and may fade from prolonged sunlight exposure or UV irradiation. Heat treatments can alter amethyst’s saturation and even make it turn yellow to orange (citrine), colorless, or green (prasiolite).

Mixtures of amethyst and citrine, with purple and yellow color zones, are called ametrine.

Pictured above: Carved ametrine gemstone

Spiritual & Metaphysical Attributes of Amethyst

In addition to the cultural meanings mentioned earlier, another historical interpretation of the February birthstone’s meaning was that it facilitated prophetic visions and brought wealth to its wearer.

In fact, amethyst has always had a strong following in the spiritual community. Amethysts carved with bears were popular protective amulets in Renaissance times, and bronze amethyst rings were worn as protective charms in Graeco-Roman times.

Many tarot readers keep amethyst nearby during readings, as the birthstone is supposed to improve intuition and psychic powers.

Crystal healers also recommend amethyst healing stones for:

• Stimulating quick wit

• Promoting sobriety

• Harnessing focus

• Dispelling negative forces

• Calming the mind

• Encouraging better sleep and aid dream recall

• Facilitating better business opportunities

• Promoting wiser decision-making

• Boosting immune system function

Energy healers use amethyst as a third eye or crown chakra stone. These two chakras are the highest energy centers and the most spiritual. The third eye chakra represents intuition and perception, while the crown chakra represents enlightenment and connection with the universe.

Aquarius and Pisces signs born in February can also wear amethyst zodiac birthstones.

Pictured above: Bloodstone cabochons

Alternative February Birthstones

Amethyst isn’t the only February birthstone, so what are the others? Some alternate February birthstones include bloodstone and onyx.

Bloodstone (or heliotrope) is a mystical February birthstone, meaning birthstones rooted in ancient Tibetan astrology. The gem, often called a jasper variety, is a forest green chalcedony with splashes of red, brown, or orange from inclusions of hematite.

Onyx is a modern February birthstone. Also a chalcedony variety, onyx is best known in solid black, but most of these are actually dyed. True onyx comes in a range of colors, usually with black or white bands.

Similar-looking alternatives to amethyst include:

• Hackmanite

• Kunzite

• Mystic Quartz

Now you know all the February birthstones, so what do you do with them?

Personalized February Birthstone Gifts

Birthstones are already personalized, and the most common way to wear yours would be in a February birthstone necklace. But earrings, bracelets, and rings are also options for February birthstone jewelry!

If you’re not buying it for yourself, gifting a loved one born in February with birthstone jewelry is a sweet way to celebrate them. The jewelry can even be customized, like a Mother’s Day necklace with the birthstones of all of her children incorporated, or a best friend bracelet with both of your birthstones.

What matters is that it comes from the heart!

Allured by the Amethyst Birthstone?

Amethyst has captivated royals and everyday folks alike for centuries, with its lush violet hues and alluring symbolism. The range of cultural meanings for this February birthstone further proves its significance.

Luckily, amethyst is quite abundant and affordable these days, meaning the perfect February birthstone jewelry is accessible to anyone!

Find traditional and alternative February birthstones from our hundreds of gemstones available!