February Birthstone: Amethyst
February's birthstone is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz. Here's what the colour means, how it wears day to day, why it can fade, and how to choose one as a gift.
Key Takeaways
- February's modern birthstone is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz (silicon dioxide).
- It rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, hard enough for everyday rings but soft enough to scratch over years of wear, according to the GIA.
- The colour ranges from pale lilac to deep reddish or bluish purple; the most prized tone is a rich, even royal violet.
- Amethyst can fade with strong heat or prolonged sunlight, so store it out of direct light when you're not wearing it.
- The name comes from the ancient Greek amethystos, meaning "not drunk" โ it was once believed to guard against drunkenness.
What is February's birthstone?
February's birthstone is amethyst, the purple form of quartz. It's the same mineral family as the clear quartz you'd recognise anywhere, but iron impurities and natural irradiation give it that violet colour, which the GIA describes as ranging from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple that can lean blue or red depending on the light. Good amethyst has an even, saturated colour with no obvious pale zones or windows when you look through it.
For most of history amethyst sat alongside ruby, sapphire and emerald as one of the most valuable stones a person could own. That changed in the 1800s when large deposits were found in Brazil. Suddenly there was plenty of it, the price came down, and today a beautiful amethyst is one of the most affordable ways to own a properly saturated, large coloured gemstone. We see it a lot on our Coquitlam bench precisely because you can get real presence โ a big, glowing purple stone โ without a big budget.
Meaning and history
The name traces back to the ancient Greek word amethystos, loosely "not drunken." Greeks and Romans believed wearing the stone, or drinking from a cup carved of it, would keep you sober. Whether or not anyone tested that theory rigorously, the association stuck, and amethyst became a symbol of clear-headedness and self-control.
Over the centuries it picked up other meanings too โ royalty (purple was historically an expensive colour to produce), spirituality, and calm. Bishops have long worn amethyst rings, and the stone appears in royal collections across Europe. None of that is a reason to buy a stone, but it does make amethyst a thoughtful gift when you want the piece to carry a bit of story.
How durable is amethyst? Wearability and care
Amethyst is a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, the standard 1-to-10 scratch-resistance scale used by the GIA. That's hard enough for a ring you wear daily, but a notch below sapphire (9) and diamond (10), so over years of everyday knocks an amethyst ring can pick up fine scratches and lose a little sparkle. The fix is simple: a goldsmith can repolish the stone. We do that in-house here in Coquitlam rather than sending it out.
The thing people don't expect with amethyst is the colour. Strong heat will change it โ heated to a few hundred degrees Celsius it can turn yellow, orange or pale, which is actually how most citrine on the market is produced from amethyst. Prolonged, intense sunlight (the UV in it) can slowly fade the purple too. You don't need to baby it day to day, but a few habits help:
- Don't leave amethyst jewellery sitting on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car for long stretches.
- Take rings off before anything with abrupt heat โ a sudden temperature swing can crack the stone, per the GIA care guide.
- Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Skip steam cleaning, and skip the ultrasonic if you're unsure whether the stone is treated.
- Store it in a box or pouch, away from direct light, when you're not wearing it.
Amethyst at a glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiOโ) |
| Colour | Pale lilac to deep reddish/bluish purple |
| Mohs hardness | 7 of 10 |
| Everyday ring wear | Yes, with care; may need repolishing over time |
| Main sensitivity | Strong heat and prolonged sunlight can fade colour |
| Cleaning | Warm soapy water; avoid steam and high heat |
| Main sources today | Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and others |
Choosing amethyst as a gift
Because good amethyst is affordable, it's a forgiving stone to gift โ you can go big and bold without overspending. A few pointers from our side of the counter:
- Chase even colour. The best stones are a consistent, deep violet all the way through, not pale at the edges. Tilt it under light and look for colour that holds.
- Earrings and pendants are the safest first piece. They take far less abuse than a ring, so wear and fading are rarely a concern, and they suit any age.
- For a daily ring, mind the setting. A slightly protected setting and a stone that isn't paper-thin will hold up better over the years.
- Pair with white or yellow gold. Yellow gold warms the purple; white gold and platinum make it read cooler and more regal. Both work โ it's down to who's wearing it.
You can read more about coloured stones, including grading and treatments, on our gemstone guide. If you want the headline stone of spring, we cover it in detail on our diamond guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birthstone for February?
The modern birthstone for February is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz. It ranges in colour from a pale lilac to a deep royal violet, and the most prized stones show a rich, even purple.
Is amethyst durable enough for an everyday ring?
Yes. Amethyst rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, hard enough for daily wear. Over years it can pick up fine scratches, but a goldsmith can repolish it. We do that in-house at our Coquitlam workshop.
Does amethyst fade in sunlight?
It can. Prolonged, intense sunlight and strong heat can gradually fade amethyst's purple colour. It won't fade from normal day-to-day wear, but you should avoid leaving it on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car, and store it away from direct light.
How do I clean amethyst jewellery?
Use warm soapy water and a soft brush. The GIA advises against steam cleaning and against exposing amethyst to high heat or abrupt temperature changes, which can crack the stone. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually fine but skip it if you're unsure whether the stone has been treated.
Why is amethyst so much cheaper than it used to be?
For most of history amethyst was as valuable as ruby and emerald because it was rare. Large deposits found in Brazil in the 1800s made it widely available, so the price dropped. Today it's an affordable way to own a large, deeply coloured gemstone.
What does amethyst symbolise?
The name comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning "not drunk," and the ancient Greeks believed it guarded against drunkenness. It has also long been linked to royalty, calm, and clear-headedness.