February Birthstone

Shining with regal shades of rich and deep purple, known for its esteemed status among royalty for centuries and different cultures, those born in February enjoy having one of the most prized and ancient stones in the world - as the birthstone for February is the Amethyst.

Considered, to this day, one of the most historically royal stones, it is nonetheless associated with poise, humility and modesty. Revel in this gorgeous gem, that in the past, was even regarded as equal to diamonds!

Compared to other gemstones, prices of Amethyst jewelry provides us with great value for money and you can find a gift at any price point. Here are a few examples:

As you can see in the above James Allen magnificent pieces, Amethyst works perfectly both in white gold and in yellow gold which even gives it a vintage look and feel. Not to mention that it can be the featured gem in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and essentially any piece of jewelry. Price wise, for the writing of these lines, the above range from $250-$500.

The above is just a sample of what Blue Nile currently offers. These are just my top picks and for ease, I've presented them in the order of their pricing which ranges from $150 to just over $500. For more options, visit here.

More Amethyst Jewelry

From ancient Egypt and Greek and all the way to 18th and 19th century crown jewels, this gemstone belonging to the quartz family, has been linked to some of the greatest names throughout history. The reason for this could be that monarchs and other prominent figures believed that the stone granted wisdom and clarity. In fact, the stone’s name derives from the ancient greek word ἀμέθυστος, which translates to ‘not drunk’ or rather ‘sober’. Thus, the stone represented, first and foremost, a clearness of mind and insight.

Thanks to these properties, amethyst has become a central gem in the Christian church, specifically, the Catholic Church. Furthermore, it was cherished because the color purple had been associated with Jesus. Later on, and presumably with relation to its tie with the church, the stone had become the symbol of humility and modesty. This occurred during the Renaissance. It was then that the gem started being favored by monarchs and sovereigns - the most notable of which was Catherine the Great of Russia.

Nowadays, the gem is both mined as well as lab-grown, as it remains one of the most popular and desired gems, thanks to its unique hues. But if you’re not ready to own an amethyst of your own just yet, these lusciously colored stones can be found in museums all over the world, adorning some of the most distinct crown jewels of different dynasties. Currently, the largest amethyst that has been found by man weighs 400 pounds and can be found at the Smithsonian Museum. Own it, wear it, or simply adore it from afar, one cannot deny that these quartzes are more than just gems…

Despite its clear relation with the Christian church, the amethyst has played quite significant roles in different religions. For instance, in Judaism, the gem was believed to be one of the stones used in Aaron’s breastplate - believed to inspire courage in the hearts of warriors. In addition, it was considered to be associated with the Gad tribe, one of Israel’s twelve tribes. But that isn’t the only religion, Tibetans, for example, believe that the amethyst is sacred to Buddha and often use the purple stones to make rosary beads.

Last but not least, to this day, this stone is considered to have a powerful energetic impact. A great example for this is the gemstone’s use in Feng Shui, where it is used to enhance the wealth of a certain corner - the focus here is on material wealth. People also use the stone to pacify anxieties and relieve fears.

Powerful, healing and soothing, the amethyst has been linked to a long list of properties. But one thing remains certain - it is one of the most captivating stones throughout time.

In case you were short on time and wanted to skim through the facts, below you’ll find all of the most common questions that are asked about February’s birthstone:

Amethyst is the birthstone for every date within the month of February. It doesn’t matter if you were born on the 18th or the 19th – your birth gem is Amethyst.

However, that question is well understood. There is a zodiac difference between the two dates.

Those who were born on the 18th, your Zodiac sign is Aquarius and the Zodiacal stone is Garnet (which is actually January’s birthstone)

Those who were born on the 19th, your Zodiac sign is Pisces and the Zodiacal stone is Amethyst.

In case you want to check more dates for their stones and signs, check out our new What is my Birthstone Calculator?

There is no second birthstone for the month of February. Amethyst is the sole gem for February both by the modern list of birthstones and the ancient one.

The question is well in place though. If you check the lists of birthstones by month, you’d notice that there are a few months where there are two or even three birthstones that are associated with them.

The gemstone for February is the Amethyst.

February’s birthstone color is mainly associated with purple.