Image of a faceted Amethyst and a raw Amethyst gemstone on a beige background

Amethyst

A faceted amethyst gemstone

Courage and spirituality

Amethyst is the purple variation of Quartz. It comes in a variety of purple shades such as violet, lilac and lavender.

Read on and learn more about the Amethyst.

Tessa earrings with amethyst in gold plated silver and Anais necklace with amethyst gemstone on a model - amethyst is February's birthstone

BIRTHSTONE

Amethyst is February’s birthstone, and is also the birthstones for the zodiacs Aquarius & Pisces. Each month has its own unique gemstone to represent it. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring good luck. You can carry your birthstone as a good luck amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstone as a symbol of love.

Find your birthstone here

Dragee maxi bracelet with large flat amethyst gemstones and a T-bar clasp in gold plated silver from Carré. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

SYMBOLISM

Amethyst is the gemstone for courage and spirituality. Carry a piece of Amethyst jewellery when you need to gather up the courage. Amethyst is said to cleanse the aura and is thus a great gemstone for meditation. It’s also said that Amethyst makes its carrier mild and lovable.

Young man with gold-plated jewellery from Carré. The earring features black agate, green agate, and purple amethyst. The necklace is a cross with green gemstones, malachite

SPIRITUALITY

Amethyst is often claimed as a peace stone, whose presence is calming and can produce tranquil and soothing dreams, that are said to bring the dreamer closer to the Divine. This peace and clarity are also transferred to the awoken mind and is said to create more decisiveness and remove negative energy.

Three bracelets with gemstones and amethyst, which is February's birthstone, on a model

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELLERY WITH AMETHYST

Since Amethyst is a 7 on Mohs’ hardness scale, the gemstone is a durable stone for jewellery. Avoid sudden, large changes in temperature, since this may cause the stone to fracture, and avoid prolonged exposure to intense light, since this may cause the colour to fade.

Amethyst can be safely cleaned with warm, soapy water, and can also be safely cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

Midnight ring with February's birthstone, a large emerald-cut amethyst gemstone in claw settings in gold plated sterling silver on a young gentleman from Carré Jewellery

WEDDING DAY SYMBOLISM

Many gemstones are associated with a special anniversary. Jewellery with Amethyst is traditionally given as a gift on the 6th wedding anniversary, which is also called a sugar wedding.

Find your wedding anniversary here

Karen elastic gemstone bracelet with large briolette-cut amethyst gemstones symbolizing courage, on an elastic with a carré jewellery logo tag in gold plated silver

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Legends say that Amethyst was created by the god of wine, Bacchus. He had gotten furious at the mortals and swore that the next who crossed his path would be eaten by tigers. He was met by a beautiful young girl named Amethyst, who was about to pray to the goddess, Diana. When Diana realized Bacchus’ vow, she turned Amethyst into a pillar of clear quartz to protect her from the tigers’ attack. As soon as Bacchus saw this happen, he regretted his malice and poured wine over Amethyst, leaving her with the beautiful purple colour.

Large Mirage earrings with three drops of amethyst gemstones in gold plated sterling silver on a model

AMETHYST'S GEMMOLOGY

Amethyst is a Quartz gemstone. Quartz is colourless but can take on a purple colour when affected by the Earth’s elements. When quartz has taken a purple colour, it’s referred to as Amethyst. When you measure a gemstone’s hardness, Moh’s Hardness Scale is used. The scale varies from 1 10, where 10 is the hardest – here is the diamond, which is the hardest gemstone. Amethyst is a 7 on Moh’s Hardness Scale.

Image of a faceted aquamarine and a raw aquamarine gemstone on an invisible background

AQUAMARINE

Intellect and clarity

Image of a faceted Tourmaline and a raw tourmaline gemstone on an invisible background

TOURMALINE

Tolerance, understanding and compassion

Image of a cabochon-cut moonstone and a raw moonstone gemstone on an invisible background

MOONSTONE

Motherhood and caring