February Birthstone

February gets amethyst, a purple quartz that runs from the palest lilac to a deep, regal violet. It is the calm-head stone, tied for centuries to clarity and a level temper, and it has a quiet, considered quality that makes it one of the most wearable birthstones of the twelve.

It also has a secret. For much of history amethyst was as rare and precious as ruby or emerald, worn by royalty and bishops, until vast deposits were discovered and it became something everyone could own. That is good news for you: it is now beautifully affordable, hard enough to wear every day, and available in generous sizes. This guide covers how to wear a February birthstone, how to choose the colour, its meaning, and how to look after it. For every month and stone, see our birthstones by month chart.

Three ways to wear a February birthstone

As a piece in its own right, including a ring. Amethyst is one of the practical birthstones: at 7 on the hardness scale it is perfectly happy in a ring worn daily, unlike opal, pearl or turquoise. Purple is also uncommon enough in jewellery to feel distinctive, and because amethyst comes in large clean stones affordably, you can have real presence, a generous pendant or a bold cocktail ring, without a bold price.

Set small into something personalised. A small amethyst beside an initial, set into an engraved tag, or as a charm on a bracelet. Purple is a gentle, flattering colour that behaves as a soft accent rather than a statement, which is just right when the name is the point of the piece. It is also the natural way to mark more than one person, a stone each for your children along a single bar or tag.

Layered and stacked. Amethyst layers well because purple sits happily between the warm and cool tones in a stack without clashing with either. A pale amethyst reads almost as a soft neutral among plain gold chains, while a deep one adds a note of colour without shouting.

Styling amethyst with your everyday gold

Yellow gold is the richest pairing and the one that plays up amethyst's regal, historic side. Warm gold against deep purple is opulent and timeless, and it gives a paler amethyst more depth than a cool setting would. It is our first choice for a deeper stone in particular.

White gold is the crisper, cooler option and lets the purple read clean and jewel-like. It suits a bright, vivid amethyst especially well, and it is the more modern look if you find yellow gold and purple a touch traditional.

Rose gold is the loveliest surprise here. Because amethyst often carries a reddish-pink undertone, rose gold picks that up beautifully, giving a soft, romantic, distinctly modern result. If you want your February birthstone to feel contemporary, this is the pairing to try.

Choosing the colour, and one thing to know

Colour is what you are paying for. Amethyst ranges from a delicate lilac to a deep, saturated purple, and the most prized is a rich, vivid violet with flashes of red, historically called Siberian regardless of where it is mined. A very pale stone is charming and inexpensive; a deep even one is the more precious. Because amethyst is so clean by nature, you should expect an eye-clean stone with no visible inclusions, and can hold out for one.

A little care with light. Amethyst's one quirk is that prolonged, strong sunlight can gradually fade its colour, so it is not the stone to leave on a sunny windowsill. In normal wear this is a non-issue, but it is worth knowing, especially for a deeper stone whose colour you would not want to lose.

You may also see green amethyst (properly called prasiolite) and pink amethyst offered as fashionable variants. They are lovely, but strictly the February birthstone is the purple stone; the others are close cousins from the same quartz family.

The stone of a clear head

Amethyst's meaning is written into its name. It comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning not intoxicated, and the Ancient Greeks believed the stone protected its wearer from drunkenness and kept a clear head. Wine cups were sometimes carved from it for exactly that reason.

From that grew its lasting associations: clarity, calm, sobriety of thought and a level temper. It was worn by bishops as a symbol of piety, which is why an amethyst still sits in many an ecclesiastical ring. It is also the sixth wedding anniversary stone, a gentle, meaningful gift well beyond February birthdays.

Caring for amethyst

Amethyst is easy to live with. Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright, and at 7 on the hardness scale it stands up to everyday wear well. The only real caution is light and heat: keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight and away from sudden temperature changes, both of which can dull or pale the colour of a deep stone over time. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally fine for a natural, untreated amethyst but best avoided if you are unsure. Store it apart from harder stones such as sapphire and diamond, which will scratch it.

February birthstone questions

What is the February birthstone?

February's birthstone is amethyst, a purple variety of quartz associated with clarity, calm and a level head. It ranges from pale lilac to deep violet and is hard enough to wear every day.

What colour is amethyst?

Purple, from the palest lilac to a deep, saturated violet, often with reddish or bluish flashes. The most prized colour is a rich, even violet. Green and pink varieties exist as well, but the true February birthstone is the purple stone.

How do you wear a February birthstone?

Any way you like, including in a ring, since amethyst is hard enough for daily wear. It works as a piece in its own right, set small beside an initial or on an engraved tag, or layered with plain gold. Purple is uncommon in jewellery, which makes it feel distinctive.

Is amethyst good for everyday jewellery?

Yes. At 7 on the Mohs scale amethyst is durable enough for daily wear, including in rings, well ahead of soft stones like opal, pearl and turquoise. The only caution is to keep it out of prolonged strong sunlight, which can gradually fade a deep colour.

Why was amethyst once so valuable?

Until the 19th century, amethyst was rare and ranked among the most precious gems, worn by royalty and the church because purple was the colour of emperors. Large deposits found in Brazil and Uruguay made it widely available, which is why it is now far more affordable than its history suggests.

Does amethyst fade in sunlight?

It can, over prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, particularly a deep stone. In ordinary daily wear this is not a concern, but it is best not to store or display amethyst on a sunny windowsill for long periods.