Amethyst meaning & facts
Amethyst is a birthstone for February. Amethyst is associated with calm, clarity, wisdom and inner strength. The ancient Greeks believed it protected the wearer from drunkenness.
- Birth month
- February
- Colour
- Purple, from pale lilac to deep violet
- Mineral
- Quartz
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7
- Main sources
- Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia
Amethyst facts
- The name comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning "not intoxicated".
- Its purple colour comes from traces of iron combined with natural radiation in the earth.
- Heating amethyst can turn it yellow or orange, which is how most citrine on the market is made.
Birthstones by month
Frequently asked questions
What does amethyst mean?
Amethyst is associated with calm, clarity, wisdom and inner strength. The ancient Greeks believed it protected the wearer from drunkenness.
What month is amethyst the birthstone for?
Amethyst is a birthstone for February.
How hard is amethyst?
Amethyst rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).
Gemstone meanings are traditional beliefs, shared for interest rather than as proven properties.