February Birthstone: Amethyst

From the palest lilac to a deep reddish purple, Amethyst - once rare - is today plentiful thanks to the discovery of huge reserves in South America in the 1800s. Mines now dot the entire world, with the largest open-pit mine in Austria discovered in the mid-1900s. Gems from the Deep Russian Amethyst mine in Siberia, now scarce, are the most valuable and its color most desired in the jewelry trade, with deep purples and flashes of red and blue. Deep Russian now describes the highest grade of Amethyst. Perhaps this historically rare Amethyst, then one of the "cardinal" stones (Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Rubies, Sapphires - I call them DEARS for obvious reasons) is one reason its rich color has come to symbolize royalty and wealth. 

Check out the Amethyst that sits below the emerald and diamond-studded cross on the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, part of the Crown Jewel Collection.

The Amethyst also has come to symbolize the honor and dignity of religion. Exodus 28:2 includes the breastplate in the sacred garments of Aaron so that "he might have honor and dignity". Some versions read "glory and beauty." The chapter further mentions Amethyst as the 9^th of 12 stones on the breastplate of the priestly garment – one stone for each tribe. The High Priest wore this gem-laden breastplate into the Holy Place to bear the name of the Sons of Israel as a continuing memorial before the Lord.

History traces this garment as the birthplace of the birthstone concept.

Zoning - an unevenness in color occurring from the availability of these minerals in the stop-and-start growth of the crystal – can affect price. The more uniform the color, the better the amethyst. Though buyer beware – if it looks too uniform, it just might be fake. Authentic amethyst will have some imperfections and vary in shades of purples, red, blue, white.

The Chevron Amethyst displays well color zoning – bands of milky white quartz resulting in chevron stripes or thin white fracture lines. Ametrine is a stone comprised of the banding of Amethyst with Citrine, both quartzes: one purple, one yellow. An interesting tidbit is most commercial grade Citrine (the yellow quartz is actually quite rare) comes from heat-treating Amethyst, resulting in a yellowing of the purple quartz.

Google Image: Ametrine.

While it’s hard not to be intoxicated with the stone itself, the Greek word “Amethustos” or amethyst means “not drunken,” prompting the ancients to wear this gemstone to ward off drunkenness and other such poisons.

A Mohs hardness rating of 7 means Amethyst is not prone to cracking or chipping, making the Amethyst a sturdy regal gem to add to your jewelry collection. Though its availability in today's market has removed it from the cardinal gems, Amethyst retains its desirability and attraction. 

American Gem Society “How to Buy Amethyst”
Canva Stock Photos