February Birthstone Spotlight: Amethyst

February’s birthstone is amethyst. This beautiful purple gemstone can range from a cool bluish-purple to a reddish purple.

Amethyst Background

In early Greek legends, due to its wine-like color, amethyst was closely associated with Bacchus, the god of wine and pleasure. In Ancient Greek, amethystos means “not drunk”. It was believed that having an amethyst in your mouth or on your person could allow you to drink all night and remain sober.

Amethyst is a gemstone that holds great historical significance. Many prominent figures throughout history, such as Catherine the Great, the empress of Russia from 1729-1796, were known to adorn themselves with amethyst necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. In ancient Egypt, amethysts were carved into the shapes of animals and used as protective amulets.