It comes from a Greek word ‘methustos’ which translates to intoxicated and is rumoured to protect wearers from getting drunk. What gives the amethyst its purple colour is impurities entering the quartz and tainting the stone. Amethyst has a rich violet purple colour but can also be found in green or yellow tones. It used to be worn by warriors in battles and is said to protect against evil, wounds and nightmares.Īmethyst is the February birthstone and is a variety of quartz. The garnet birthstone is incredibly powerful and energising. Garnet derives from the Latin word ‘granatum’ which means seed and references the garnet’s appearance to pomegranate seeds. Garnet has a deep red-brown colour and dates to the 14 th century. Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift or trying to find your birthstone, we’ve got everything you need here, including the birthstones for each month, what they look like and what they mean.įor those born in the first month of the year, the garnet gemstone is for the January babies.
Some months have two or three birthstones, and each gem has its own origins, meaning and properties that are beneficial to the mind and body. Traditionally, there are 12 birthstones that represent each month of the calendar.
It’s thought that the jewellery piece was made during the Edwardian period.Birthstones and their vibrant colours and meaning are used to represent each month of the year. Morris Amethyst Brooch – Weighing 96 carats, the heart-shaped amethyst in this brooch resides in the Smithsonian Institute and is believed to have come from Brazil.This amethyst is now in the Vault of the National History Museum in London. The stone’s last owner locked it away within seven boxes in a bank safe and requested that it not be moved until three years after his death. It is also known as the Cursed Amethyst due to its history taken from the Temple of Indra in Kanpur during the Rebellion of 1857, the stone was found by a curator of the British National History Museum, who ignored the curse warning and fell ill with kidney stones. Delhi Sapphire – Despite its name, this gem is an amethyst, not a sapphire.The collection includes three brooches, a necklace, a pair of earrings and a pair of hair combs. Owned by Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, the jewels have passed down the generations and have been used by Queen Elizabeth II since her coronation. Kent Amethyst Demi-Parure – In her jewellery collection, the Queen possesses a beautiful set of amethyst jewellery, known as the Kent Demi-Parure.Some of the most famous pieces of amethyst jewellery include: Amethyst symbolises the privilege of royalty and has been worn by many throughout the ages. With its beautiful hues and fantastic properties, the gem was once more valuable than diamonds. It’s not surprising that amethyst is among one of the most popular gemstones. Image : 18ct White Gold Amethyst and Diamond Set Pendant, available from Banks Lyon for £525 or just £5.51 per month on 0% finance. Some of these Intaglios only began to deteriorate from the 2 nd century AD onwards. One of the most famous examples of amethyst artwork is the Roman Intaglio, a stone that is engraved and carved in such a way that the engraving can be viewed through the stone. This semi-precious stone is also incredibly popular for artistic, one-of-a-kind designer cuts.ĭurability – The February birthstone is a gem that will last a lifetime and more. Gemstones with eye-visible inclusions but with a beautiful hue tend to be cut as cabochons. They are rarely found with visible inclusions, and gems which exhibit them tend to be less valuable.Ĭut – Amethyst can be cut into several shapes, from round, oval and emerald to cushion, pear and triangle. Hardness – This gemstone is a 7 in the Mohs Scale of Hardness and doesn’t break by cleavage, making it durable and suitable for use in everyday jewellery, be it rings, bracelets, necklaces or earrings.Ĭlarity – Clarity is highly sought after in amethyst stones. If overexposed to light, amethyst’s hues can fade. The gem can also exhibit one or more secondary colours, such as red or blue. The deeper the colour, the more valuable the amethyst however, when an amethyst stone exhibits a very light colour or a mixture of both light and dark, its value decreases. The value of the stone is not typically defined by carat weight, but by colour, with the rare Deep Russian being the highest-grade amethyst. Some of the amethyst’s most popular features include:Ĭolour – The violet colouration of the amethyst is due to gamma irradiation, iron impurities and presence of trace elements. The stone is sought after by many who appreciate fine beauty and luxury, including royalty. The stunning amethyst possesses many qualities and properties that make it a stand out in the gemmology world.
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