Amethyst February
Amethyst is a semi-precious stone, and it is also considered the official birthstone of February. This beautiful stone comes in the shades of purple and violet. The Amethyst birthstone has a very vibrant color that makes it suitable for various purposes and will only add to the overall beauty and elegance. St. Valentine, who is the patron saint of love, wore the Amethyst Stone with a cupid carved image.
Color
The Amethyst birthstone is mostly found in the purple color and its different hues. Apart from purple, the birthstone is also found in a reddish-purple color, which is rich in saturation and it is also found in violet. A variety of colors are found within this range.
Symbolism
The Amethyst gemstone’s purple color represents the purity of spirit. It’s often associated with the purifying of the suffering of souls and the chaste feeling. The gemstone stands of great value in Christianity because it denotes a way of Jesus Christ’s suffering and wounds. It is therefore termed to have healing properties.
Origin
The Amethyst birthstone gets its name from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “not intoxicating”. The birthstone came to get its name because in the past it was rumored to have qualities or magical powers that could prevent one from getting drunk. A lot of religious associations are connected to the Amethyst birthstone and have cultural significance as well.
uses
The Amethyst gemstone has a variety of usage actors, starting with faceted stones that are used to make beautiful pieces of jewelry. Cabochons are also made into jewelry pieces. Another big use of Amethyst gemstone is that it’s made into tumbled stones that have innumerable uses. Amethyst gemstone is also used in making ornamental objects.
Care & cleaning
Amethysts are hard stones and don’t easily get damaged. However, Garnets can easily be dented by scratches, hence it is advisable to not let them mix with other hard stones. If you plan on doing physical activity, it is advisable to keep the gemstone separate and protect it from potential damage. Amethysts are sensitive to sunlight and it is recommended to avoid exposure to sunlight for a long period. Ultrasonic cleaners can clean garnets, but it is not something recommended since long-time usage of it can loosen the jewelry settings. It is highly recommended to clean your precious garnet stones with a soft brush and warm soapy water only.
Types of Amethyst
Almandine, Pyrope, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite, and Uvarovite are the various types of garnet stones available across various cologne tones and hues. There are several garnet varieties apart from the ones mentioned above. However, not all garnets can be used for jewelry purposes
Purple
Purple, Common, most popular
Ametrine
Bicolor Quartz
Pink
Pink, Least valuable
Mossy
Small veins throughout stone
Cape
Milky white quartz, similar to mossy
Prasiolite
Yellow-green, with purple tinge