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:

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!

Poche pietre preziose sono magnetizzanti come l' ametista scintillante. Immersa in brillanti sfumature di viola, orchidea e melanzana, l'ametista abbellisce i nati a febbraio con una gemma davvero dinamica. Non solo l'ametista è un gioiello da capogiro, ma ha notevoli proprietà curative olistiche. Abbastanza bella per i reali ma abbastanza accessibile per le masse, la pietra portafortuna di febbraio è una gemma davvero accattivante per l'Acquario e i Pesci nel mondo.

Esploriamo le proprietà curative, il simbolismo e le qualità uniche dell'affascinante ametista in questa guida alla pietra portafortuna di febbraio!

Febbraio Birthstone Storia e Simbolismo

L'ametista è una delle pietre preziose più popolari al mondo, ma lo sapevi che questo gioiello risale all'antica Grecia? In effetti, il nome stesso della gemma deriva dalla parola greca "Amethystos" e il suo significato potrebbe scioccarti. Per quelle persone turbolente che avevano bevuto un po' troppo, l'ametista serviva come antidoto all'ubriachezza. Forse è la colorazione del vino, o forse è perché il mitologico dio greco del vino prediligeva l'ametista. In ogni caso, l'ametista schiarisce la mente, migliora la concentrazione e acuisce un rapido spirito.

L'antica Grecia non fu l'unico periodo a favorire l'ametista. Nel corso dei millenni, questa straordinaria gemma ha adornato il collo delle donne nelle corti reali. Durante l'impero russo nel 18° secolo, l'imperatrice reale Caterina II si abbagliava spesso con scintillanti collane e accessori di ametista. Anni dopo, la duchessa di Windsor, Wallis, indossò il decadente bavaglino in ametista Cartier al gala francese, accentuando i giardini di Versailles con un'altra sfumatura di viola.

Abbiamo stabilito che i ricchi e famosi amano sfoggiare gioielli di ametista, quindi come è diventato mainstream? Se sfogli gli scaffali di qualsiasi gioielliere, noterai un'ampia quantità di disegni di ametista. Cosa ha portato l'ametista fuori dalla corte reale e nelle mani del grande pubblico?

Le origini della pietra portafortuna di febbraio

La verità è che l'ametista è rimasta un gioiello di novità fino al 1800. Fino a quel momento, l'ametista era rara come smeraldi e rubini, prestandosi esclusivamente a ricchi monarchi. Bene, questo perché, fino al 19° secolo, la Russia era il principale fornitore di ametista. Tuttavia, una nuova fonte è entrata nell'arena, aprendo la porta a più persone per acquistare l'ametista.

Ametista brasiliana

Sono stati scoperti depositi sia in Sud America che in Africa. Voilà, una gemma che proveniva quasi esclusivamente da un paese ora proveniva da altre due località. Ad oggi, la maggior parte della fornitura mondiale di ametista proviene dal Brasile. In effetti, l'ametista brasiliana è quel gioiello in stile geode caratterizzato da cristalli di ametista viola emergenti. Questo stile di ametista crea ottime decorazioni per la casa e cristalli curativi.

Ametista africana

Fornire una quota uguale è la mente di Kariba in Zambia, in Africa. Queste ametiste mostrano sfumature di viola intenso altamente saturate, rendendole un prodotto caldo.

Ametista dell'Arizona

Infine, ci sono piccoli depositi che fiancheggiano la periferia di Phoenix, in Arizona, presso la miniera di Four Peaks. Questo terreno montuoso e desertico potrebbe non essere l'ideale per molte delle creazioni amanti dell'acqua della natura, ma Ametista? Il clima arido produce alcuni dei più bei cristalli di ametista al mondo.

Ora sei al passo con l'affascinante storia della pietra portafortuna di febbraio, ma cosa rende questo gioiello così speciale?

Proprietà della pietra portafortuna di febbraio

Non solo l'ametista è ricca di storia, ma ha potenti proprietà curative, simbolismo e attributi fisici. Le persone con i compleanni di febbraio possono incorporare l'ametista nell'arredamento della loro casa, nei gioielli e nello stile di vita. Sapevi che l'ametista è anche un cristallo curativo usato per purificare , mediare e raggiungere una coscienza elevata? Esploriamo le interessanti caratteristiche e proprietà che rendono la pietra portafortuna di febbraio un gioiello davvero unico nel suo genere.

Segni zodiacali di febbraio

Non c'è da stupirsi che l'Ametista sia la pietra portafortuna per l'Acquario, il segno dell'aria, e per i Pesci, il segno dell'acqua. Con un'ametista in mano, nuoterai in nuove profondità di introspezione ed esplorazione dell'anima e leviterai verso nuove vette di consapevolezza.

Colore

Se allinei i gioielli su uno scaffale e cerchi il colore più accattivante, non saresti sorpreso di trovare molte persone che indugiano lo sguardo sull'ametista. C'è qualcosa in quel viola brillante che attira le persone. Quindi, di che colore è esattamente l'ametista? L'ametista è disponibile in vari gradi e sfumature di viola, lilla, viola, melanzana e persino rosso-viola.
Mentre i gioielli di ametista sono generalmente posti sotto l'ombrello generale del "viola", esistono in ogni colore all'interno di quello spettro. È interessante notare che l'ombra di viola ne denota il significato.

Storicamente, il viola è il colore religioso della penitenza. Nel tempo, questa sorprendente tonalità si è evoluta per simboleggiare regalità, ricchezza, potere e dominio. Come fa l'ametista a diventare così profondamente satura? Molte gemme di ametista subiscono miglioramenti del colore per aumentare la sfumatura del viola. Ma non preoccuparti, ciò non riduce al minimo le proprietà curative di questo cristallo dinamico.

Proprietà curative

Le persone hanno usato i cristalli per la guarigione per secoli e l'ametista è uno dei cristalli curativi più popolari disponibili. Con una pietra così straordinaria, è facile capire perché è l'oggetto dell'affetto per le persone di tutto il mondo. Ma la bellezza è solo un aspetto delle qualità dell'ametista. Si ritiene inoltre che accolga la pace e l'equilibrio mentre stimoli le persone con coraggio, ambizione e stabilità. La pietra portafortuna di febbraio ha anche potenti proprietà metafisiche, come aiutare le persone a guarire da insonnia, dolore e problemi di circolazione. Come puoi vedere, ci sono innumerevoli vantaggi dell'ametista come cristallo curativo, che le conferisce il meritato soprannome di "The All Purpose Stone".

Febbraio Birthstone gioielli e pietre preziose

Il fascino dell'ametista va oltre un semplice gioiello:

È un potente cristallo curativo che migliora l'umore, la qualità della vita e la salute
Si ritiene che abbia proprietà che fanno riflettere per attenuare gli effetti dell'alcol e favorire la sobrietà
Nel corso delle generazioni, i reali hanno preferito questo gioiello abbagliante come accessorio prezioso

I nati a febbraio hanno la flessibilità di sfruttare questa gemma diversificata, che lo rende il regalo di compleanno perfetto! Hai un Acquario o un Pesci nella tua vita? Mostra loro quanto sono straordinari dando loro la loro pietra portafortuna di febbraio.

Idee regalo popolari includono rocce di geode di ametista per la guarigione dei cristalli e gioielli con ametista. Niente dice "ti amo" come il fascino di un braccialetto o una collana di ametista. Fai il regalo che non solo è stupendo, ma migliora il benessere di una persona speciale per te.