Almost all the various schemes of birthstones have the amethyst as the stone for those born in February or in the zodiac sign of Pisces (Feb 20 to March 20). If you are or know someone that qualifies, buy yourself or the other an amethyst necklace.

Amethyst is a variation of quartz, chemical formula SiO2, which is the second most common mineral on planet Earth. The violet to deep purple color comes from iron and aluminum in the rock. If heated, the color changes from light purple to yellow. On Moh’s scale of hardness, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), quartz is a 7, which makes it relatively durable when made into jewelry. The value of an amethyst crystal depends on the depth of the color and the transparency and clarity of the crystal. Since the discovery of vast quantities of amethyst in Brazil in the Eighteenth Century, the status of amethyst has dropped from the highest class of gemstones, the cardinal gemstones, to semi-precious. Amethyst cut gems and beads of amethyst are readily available today, as are beautiful and large mineral specimen.

So, why would anyone want a necklace with an amethyst pendant, or a necklace of amethyst beads? Well, for one thing, the purple color can be worn with any color clothing and looks good against any skin tone. Amethyst cut gems or carved cabochons can be found set in silver or sterling silver, and occasionally in gold. The gold and purple are very rich looking together.

In ancient days, drinkers hoped amethyst would ward off intoxication, and drank from cups of amethyst. The name amethyst is derived from a ancient Greek phrase for “not intoxicated”. Unfortunately, it does not work and amethyst wearers are as prone to the effects of overindulgence as any other, and that’s a shame.

Along with the amethyst necklace, consider buying your February person a bracelet or ring. Over many years of constant wear the ring will scratch, but in the meantime it will be very good looking. Amethyst earrings are also popular, either clip-ons or pierced earrings. You can get studs or pendant earrings of amethyst for a small price and in many places, including jewelry stores, department stores when amethyst is in vogue, gem and mineral shows and shops, jewelry shows and even bead shows.

Combining amethyst with opal or other quartz gemstones like citrine, smoky quartz, white or milky quartz or rose quartz can make a beautiful piece of jewelry that really shows off the quartz possibilities. You should ask the vendor if the colors are natural or man-modified, as quartz is often dyed or treated to create various “new” quartz-based semi-precious gemstones. Then you will have to decide if you care whether it is natural or not. But you should know, and make a note to keep with the jewelry for future reference.

There are places in the North America where amethyst is found, and there may be mine-your-own opportunities there. If you are traveling in these areas, check out the possibilities.
US:
- Arizona: the Mazatzal Mountain region in Gila and Maricopa Counties
- Maine: Deer Hill and Stow
- Michigan: the Lake Superior region
- Minnesota: the Lake Superior region
- North Carolina: Haywood County
- Pennsylvania: Delaware County
- Texas: Amethyst Mountain
- Utah: Yellowstone National Park
- Wisconsin: the Lake Superior region
Canada:
- Nova Scotia: in various locations throughout Nova Scotia.
- Ontario: the Lake Superior region

Amethyst is the official gemstone of Georgia and South Carolina, and the state mineral of South Carolina.

If you already own amethyst jewelry, wear it with pride.

* * * Read about vintage cufflinks. * * *

* * * Monet jewelry provides an opportunity to collect better costume jewelry. * * *

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