Amethyst – February Birthstone

 
The month of February has Amethyst, a beautiful purple variety of quartz as its birthstone.

The word amethyst can be translated from the Greek "amethystos"  which roughly translates as "not drunken"! In fact for centuries amethyst was considered a potent cure for intoxication and wine goblets were made out of the stone.

Prehistoric man used amethyst as a decorative stone as far as 25,000 years ago in France and it is said that Cleopatra owned an engraved signet ring made from amethyst too.

The stones link with the month of February comes from its association with Saint Valentine, the third-century Roman saint who died on February 14th. According to legend, he wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of Cupid.

To this day, the regal purple of amethyst is associated with royalty and religion, with clothing, jewellery and ceremonial objects incorporating both the colour and the stone itself.

Take at look at my sparkling amethyst bracelet, hand –knotted with sterling silver findings; a perfect gift for a Valentines gift and February birthdays!