The birthstone of the month of February is amethyst. Its color is purple, in shades from translucent to deep and lush.

What do we know about amethyst?

The birthstone in February is hard and durable. Its name comes from the Greek word améthystos, which means "intoxicated". According to ancient beliefs, one who holds jewelry with amethyst cannot get drunk. Although this superstition has long been debunked, in traditional medicine there are still beliefs that amethyst has special properties. Spiritualists claim that it calms, balances and "lands" the spirit, eliminates negative emotions and activates rationality.

In ancient Egypt, amethyst jewelry was seen as a sign of the highest rank in the aristocracy. The deep purple color was associated with the power of the pharaohs. Amethyst is often used to make small figurines that were part of funeral rites. The Chinese, in turn, saw amethyst as a gateway to the world of dreams. It was believed that if a person put amethyst under his pillow, he would dream bright and beautiful dreams.

Christianity also adopted a special attitude towards this stone. Its color was a symbol of the blood of Christ. For this reason, amethyst episcopal rings are common in Catholicism.

Jewelry with amethyst

Amethyst is given not only to a person born in February. Amethyst jewelry is also given as a gift on the 33rd wedding anniversary.

In addition, amethyst is considered the stone of Valentine's Day. It is believed that he wore a ring with this stone. Probably for this reason, amethyst is also known as the "stone of lovers". It is believed that the exchange of jewelry with amethyst spiritually deepens the relationship and is accepted as a promise of fidelity and sublimity of feelings.

Care for jewelry with amethyst

In essence, the beautiful birthstone of February is a kind of quartz. It is among the hard stones. For this reason, it is advisable to store your amethyst jewelry in a separate textile bag or jewelry box so as not to damage your other jewelry. Cleaning is done with lukewarm water and gentle soap. If you do not feel safe to clean your ring or necklace with amethyst, it is best to consult a specialist.

When it comes to storing and wearing amethyst jewelry, it is important to know that this stone does not like large temperature amplitudes and extreme temperatures in general. Be sure to remove the jewelry before showering and wait for the cosmetics to absorb well before putting the jewelry back on.