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February's Birthstone
"And when I take them out of the cherrywood box these beads are the colour of dog-violets in shadow."
~ Amethyst Beads, Eavan Boland, 1944
Happy February birthdays! This month is celebrated with a tartan reminiscent of a cache of violet and purple amethysts—the traditional birthstone of February. Amethysts appear in a stunning range of hues, from soft lavender through rich Tyrian purple to deep indigo tones.
Beyond its beauty, amethyst has been prized since ancient times for its reputed magical and protective qualities, especially its supposed power to guard against drunkenness. The name amethyst comes from the ancient Greek meaning “not intoxicated,” reflecting the belief that the stone protected its wearer from overindulgence in wine.
Because purple was both rare in gemstones and symbolically significant, amethyst was once considered more precious than diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or emeralds. For centuries, it was reserved exclusively for royalty and the clergy.
According to Greek legend, the amethyst was created by Dionysus, the god of wine. After being insulted by a mortal, Dionysus fell into a vengeful rage and vowed to kill the next person who crossed his path. Tragically, the first to appear was a beautiful maiden on her way to honor Artemis, the goddess of childbirth and virginity.
As Dionysus unleashed furious tigers upon her, Artemis intervened at the last moment, transforming the maiden into a statue of pure white quartz just as the beasts leapt. Later, overcome with remorse for his actions committed in drunken fury, Dionysus poured his cup of grape wine over the white quartz statue. The stone absorbed the wine, turning a radiant violet-purple and becoming amethyst—thus bestowing the gem with its legendary power to prevent the harmful effects of alcohol.
Cheers, and happy birthday, February! 💜 🤎 🖤 🤍 💜 🎂 💎
February's birthstone, the amethyst, is a violet variety of quartz.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek combination of words meaning "not intoxicated," a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.
Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed. Western Christian bishops wear an episcopal ring often set with an amethyst, associated with the allusion to the description of the Apostles as "not drunk" at Pentecost in Acts 2:15.
This tartan, designed by Carol A.L. Martin, recalls the colour of amethyst ore from the designer's trip to an amethyst mine in Northern Ontario.
For a map of Scotland's natural gemstone areas, including amethyst, click the geode.