Amethyst: February Birthstone Meaning

Amethyst - biblical gem and stone against addictions Amethyst is a semi-precious stone from the quartz group. Its characteristic feature is purple color, which can be of various shades. Amethyst is primarily attributed to sedative properties and the ability to relax.

General Characteristics

Amethyst stands out from other semi-precious stones with an interesting color. The violet shade of the stone is the result of incorporating trace amounts of iron and aluminum into silicon dioxide (the main building block of the mineral). Amethyst is formed in metamorphic rocks.

Name and History

The name of the stone comes from the Greek word "amethysos", which means "sober", in Sanskrit "cacunda" this name translates as "bringing good luck" and in Hebrew it means "achlamach", meaning "giving pleasant dreams".

In Ancient Greece wine or water were drunk in amethyst goblets, which, due to the color of the goblets, took the color of wine. The Greeks believed that the cup of amethyst protects against the negative effects of drinking too much alcohol, which can be explained as some way of counteracting the occurrence of the so-called hangover. Greek drink lovers also added powdered amethyst to alcohol, which was supposed to have a similar protective effect.

Healing Properties

Amethyst is recommended primarily to people who live under high stress. Its ability to restore harmony is soothing and frees you from negative thoughts. Its properties will also benefit people working in managerial positions and burdened with high responsibility.

In order for the amethyst to retain its healing properties for a long time, it needs to be washed from time to time under running water and charged with solar energy. However, dark amethyst will fade over time when exposed to UV rays, so it should be stored in a shaded place out of recharging periods.

In the zodiac, amethyst corresponds to Pisces, Sagittarius and Aquarius