February Birthstones - Amethyst - The Temperance Stone and Stones of the Royals - By: John Brana

For those born in the month of February, Amethyst is your birthstone.. This striking purple stone is a favorite to scores of people who are not even born in the month of February. The serene hue of this gemstone has been coveted by many over the ages and respected by others. The purple shimmer of Amethyst makes a wonderful February Birth Stone.

The Greeks believed that Amethyst would avert them from becoming intoxicated and the word amethystos means sober. It was connected with the Greek god of wine Bacchus and it was customary for a drinking goblet to be bejeweled with Amethyst. Even today Amethyst is used to present a reminder to those who battle with an obsession to alcohol.

The legend says that Bacchus became livid and said if any mortal came close to him they would be attacked by tigers. Amethyst, an earthly maiden was traveling to pray to the Goddess Diana and Dianna knew she would have to stroll near Bacchus to get to the shrine. Diana turned her into a pillar of clear quartz so she would be protected from the tigers. Bacchus felt bad after observing what had occured and he poured wine over Amethyst in honor and it stained her purple.

Amethyst is a icon of protection in many circles linking it to obsession. Amethyst is generally believed to provide vigor to its wearer to prevail over any addiction. Over the ages, Amethyst is thought to strengthen love between two people, so it is commonly presented as an anniversary or commitment ring. It is a gemstone that will promote courage and consequently was worn into battle repeatedly.

Even in the ninth century Amethyst has been found in royal crowns. Purple was a difficult color to acquire because the pigment was so expensive and hard to find. The shade of purple was kept for sovereigns only and was incorporated into majestic jewelry and breastplates that were part of a king's body armor. The Crown Jewelry of Britain regularly integrated Amethyst as a central jewel. Amethyst was also commonly used in church vestments, goblets, and jewelry. It characteristically is a symbol of goodness and holiness. It was found in crosses of the church and was used in ceremonies. Amethyst rings were often worn by bishops to prove their station within the church.

Amethyst is in the quartz family and is a crystal that is found in rocks. It is commonly found in the United States, and can be regularly found in Sri Lanka, Namibia, Madagascar, Russia, Zambia, Brazil, Australia, and Canada. The color runs from nearly clear to a lavender color and then dark purple. Faceted Amethyst and highly polished cabochons are generally used as embellishment in jewelry and other precious objects. One of the largest cut Amethyst specimens resides in the National History Museum in London and has 343 carats.

Birthstone jewelry set with Amethyst can be found as rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. It sets well in white gold as well as yellow gold or platinum. Because of its beautiful purple color, Amethyst continues to be a lasting favorite of both those born in February as well as many others.

About the Author

John S. Brana's collections of distinctive Gem stone Jewelry inspired by the neighborhoods of San Francisco and surrounding Northern California embody stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces designed to set the wearer apart from the crowd. Whether classic or modern, each piece is distinctive, meticulously hand made, and created from high-quality gemstones within the United States.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/John-Brana/102700

Additional Articles From - Home | Fashion | Jewelry