February's birthstone is amethyst, and it's the one most people can picture without being told — violet quartz, sometimes so pale it's nearly clear, sometimes deep enough to look black in the box. It was a precious stone in the same league as ruby and emerald until enormous deposits turned up in Brazil in the 1800s and the price collapsed. The stone didn't change; only the economics did.
Why amethyst suits February
Amethyst's reputation is calm — clarity, sleep, a quieter mind. The Greeks connected it with sobriety and the ability to keep your head, which is a reasonable thing to wish on someone born in the shortest, strangest month of the year.
What to look for when buying
One care note that matters more than any other: amethyst fades in sunlight. A piece left on a sunny windowsill for a year will visibly lose its colour, and it doesn't come back. Cleanse it on selenite or in moonlight instead.
The full guide to Amethyst covers its chakra, care and everyday uses. Born this month, you'll also fall under Aquarius and Pisces — each has its own stones.
Amethyst in the shop
Every month's birthstone
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