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The Meaning Behind the February Birthstone

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Sponsored: Indriya Jewelry

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February babies inherit one of the world’s most beloved gemstones there is: amethyst.

Amethyst is an exceptionally well-known and prominent gemstone, notable not only for its beautiful purple color, but also for its ancient meaning. Its name comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated,” as the stone is thought to have a significant grounding and calming effect.

As a member of the quartz family, and one of the most widely available gemstones on earth, this silica mineral quartz rates a solid 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. It can be found across the globe, from the far corners of Siberia to the basalt caves of Brazil. There is even a mining operation in Arizona, which produces amethyst with a stunning reddish-purple color. It is suspected that this deposit was known to Native Americans, as a few amethyst arrowheads have been found on the grounds. And it’s even possible that gemstones from this site were brought back to Spain by early explorers and could account for some of the amethyst in the Spanish crown jewels.

Amethyst is perfectly suitable to be fashioned into jewelry of all kinds, thanks to its clarity and color, however most of the world’s commercially-available amethyst is actually geodes and tumbled stones, which are displayed in homes or used as spiritual touchstones. Amethyst geodes can occur small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or large enough to tower over you, exposing an inner landscape of thousands of crystal points.

Whether wearing amethyst or having it in your home, it is believed to be very healing and protective. As a stone of sobriety, it is thought to help with mental clarity, enhanced intuition, and emotional balance. The royal-purple color is closely associated with both the third eye chakra, related to spiritual purpose, as well as the crown chakra, representing enlightenment. Amethyst is a powerful stone to use in meditation. It is said to activate spiritual awareness, guard against psychic attack, and facilitate positive transformation.

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Sponsored: Indriya Jewelry

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