Amethyst

Amethyst: Fit For Royalty, Birthdays, And Accessorizing Jewelry

Amethyst, the popularly well-known birthstone of February, is a beautiful rock with a long and varied history.

Throughout the years, the amethyst gem stone has held different symbolic meanings and hence has seen a variety of uses.

Amethyst has been said to ward off drunkenness and used to decorate drinking cups, wine glasses, and goblets.

Amethyst has been said to keep a wearer clear-headed. Amethyst jewelry in a variety of forms has been worn by royalty worldwide. The British Crown Jewels feature amethyst. Amethyst adornments and jewelry may also have been favored historically by the royals (of many nations) because purple has always been a traditional color-symbol of royalty.

Amethyst is also said to promote piety and celibacy. Given this power, amethyst has been long-popular in the Catholic Church. An amethyst ring is often worn by Bishops of the Catholic Church, even today; amethyst is regarded as the stone of the bishops.

The amethyst mineral is a variety of quartz. It is found throughout most of the world. The color of amethyst can range somewhat, although it is generally considered to be light violet to deep purple. However, the paler varieties sometimes take on a whitish-green tone, resulting in green amethyst. This green color makes a nice amethyst jewelry option for those who do not favor purple as well. A green amethyst ring is an ideal choice for a man with a February birthday who prefers something less of a feminine color.

The amethyst crystal is often found inside an amethyst geode. Amethyst geodes are prehistoric rocks, often formed, it is believed, inside a fossil bone; the exterior of an amethyst geode looks like a brown, bumpy, brain-like structure. The outside leaves something to be desired, but when broken open, the interior beauty of quartz and amethyst crystal is revealed in colors ranging from white to green or purple. Of these, the most valuable are the purple amethyst geodes.

In jewelry making, Brazilian amethyst is among the most valuable amethysts. Brazilian amethyst is high in quality and rich in color. It is used in a variety of pieces, such as an amethyst pendant, amethyst necklace, or an amethyst ring. Like many precious gem stones, amethyst sits nicely in combination. Amethyst necklaces and rings are often complemented by diamonds. The beauty of the purple hues offset by the shimmer of diamonds in an amethyst diamond ring is striking. It is a very well-received gift for a February birthday-girl’s milestone birthday – the prefect gift for a sweet sixteen.

No matter what meaning is taken from the list of amethyst definitions, amethyst remains one of the most popular of the precious and semi precious gem stones. Blessed to have one of the most favored hues, amethyst is a stone loved by more than those born under its February moon.