FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE: AMETHYST

Amethyst is a type of quartz and is suitable for everyday wear. Available in a wide range of purples from the palest pastel lavender to the deepest seductive purple they are available in many sizes.

COLOUR: Pale lilac to deep purple.

GEMSTONE FAMILY: Quartz.

MOHS HARDNESS: 7

LOCATION: Mainly in Russia, Brazil and African countries such as Namibia and Zambia.

A BRIEF HISTORY: With its association with the god Bacchus amethyst has long been associated with drink and is believed to help prevent drunkenness.

FAMOUS GEMSTONES: Known as the purple sapphire, the amethyst below was looted during the Indian mutiny in 1855. Everyone who owned it since has suffered disaster and misfortune. When Edward Heron-Allen, owner of the stone from 1890, discovered its sinister history, he declared it 'cursed and stained with blood' and locked it in a bank vault with instructions that it not be opened until 33 years after his death. Heron-Allen's daughter donated the stone to the Museum with a letter he wrote warning anyone against handling it. (Source: The Natural History Museum).

CRYSTAL DICTIONARY: Amethyst is believed to calm the emotions, create clarity of thought and assist in attaining wisdom.

IMPORTANT: Be careful heating an amethyst - high temperatures can cause an irreversible change in the stone and can cause the colour to fade or change.

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