The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers.
Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence. And, because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, the amethyst gemstone was very important in the ornamentation in the churches in the Middle Ages.
In the past, great importance was attached to protection against passion: people hoped that by wearing an amethyst ring, they would be able to control their own boiling blood.
Amethyst was considered to be the stone of bishops and they still often wear amethyst jewelry.
The amethyst gemstone is said to bring serenity and calm, to enhance one's ability to assimilate new ideas, and to assist during meditation.
Ancient Amethyst Lore
The ancient Greeks left us this myth about how amethyst got it's color. An angry Greek god, Bacchus, swore to have his tigers eat the first person he saw. He spotted a girl named Amethyst walking in the forest and had his beasts attack. The maiden called to the goddess Diana for help. Diana changed the girl into a statue to save her from being eaten. Bacchus was then sorry for Amethyst and poured wine on her stone image, staining it purple. This may have some connection to the legend that wearing amethyst will prevent you from getting drunk. The Greek word amethystos means "not drunk".
February's Birthstone is the Amethyst as well as Aquarius' Zodiac Gemstone
Birthstones may also be selected based on the Day-Of-Birth and Wednesday is the Amethyst gem.
If the February born shall find
Sincerity and piece of mind
Freedom from passion and from care
If she the Amethyst will wear.
---Trad birthstone rhyme
View Beautiful Amethyst Jewelry at BeautifulSilverJewelry.com
