Amethysts
Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the ages for its stunning beauty and legendary powers to stimulate, and soothe, the mind and emotions. It is a semi-precious stone in today’s classifications, but to the ancients, it was a “Gem of Fire"; a Precious Stone worth, at times in history, as much as a Diamond. Amethyst has always been associated with February, the month the Romans dedicated to Neptune, their water-god. Therefore, it should be no surprise that it is the traditional birthstone of that month. It is the stone of St. Valentine and faithful love and signifies ecclesiastical dignity as the Bishop’s Stone. It carries the energy of fire and passion, creativity and spirituality; yet bears the logic of temperance and sobriety.
February's birthstone, Amethyst is also the favored gift for the 1st. and 6th wedding anniversaries, historically symbolizing sincerity and sacred love, optimism and good fortune.
A member of the quartz family, amethyst comes in a variety of purple shades of varying intensity from pale lilac to reddish or bluish violet to deep purple. Amethyst is sometimes enhanced by traditional heating methods to lighten color and / or remove smoky components. Certain amethyst are heated to produce citrine (yellow) and green quartz (also called prasiolite) When you see citrine (yellow) and amethyst (purple) grown together it is called Ametrine. Consult your jeweler for the best jewelry cleaning solution. Ultrasonic cleaners are safe but steamers are not.