The February birthstone is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz. Amethyst ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale and ranges from pale lilac to deep, saturated purple. It is the single February stone on both the US and British birthstone lists.
Amethyst symbolizes calm, clear thinking and inner strength, and its Greek name means a remedy against drunkenness. Compare every month in the birthstone chart by month.
What Is the February Birthstone?
Amethyst is the official February birthstone, and it has been since the first US list in 1912. Unlike March or June, February has no second modern stone.
| Quick fact | February birthstone: amethyst |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Quartz (silicon dioxide) |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Color | Lilac to deep purple |
| Traditional meaning | Calm, clarity, sobriety, personal empowerment, inner strength |
| Notable sources | Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Zambia (Kariba), Bolivia (Anahí), Arizona (Four Peaks), Russia historically |
| Anniversary | 6th |
| Zodiac signs in February | Aquarius and Pisces |
The facts above come from the GIA February birthstone guide. GIA names Africa and South America as today's most important source regions.
February Birthstone Colors
The February birthstone color is purple, from soft lilac to deep violet. GIA notes that Brazilian amethyst tends toward lighter tones, while Zambia's Kariba mine is known for superb saturation.
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, according to GIA. Heating can lighten very dark amethyst or remove brownish tints, and some amethyst turns yellow when heated, which is how much of the citrine on the market is produced. Bolivia's Anahí mine even yields ametrine, a natural mix of amethyst and citrine (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Color treatment by heat is common and permanent, GIA says. Excessive heat can remove the purple completely, and heated stones can become more brittle, so ask whether a stone was treated.
Source shapes the look, too. GIA notes that Arizona's Four Peaks mine yields dark purple and purplish red crystals, while Zambian stones are prized for saturation. When you compare amethysts side by side, judge them in the same light so lighter and darker tones are easy to tell apart.
Amethyst Meaning and History
Amethyst's name comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning a remedy against drunkenness. Greek myth tied the stone to Bacchus, the god of wine, and the name reflects an old belief that the stone guarded against intoxication.
Renaissance Europeans believed amethyst calmed lovers overrun by passion, according to GIA. The stone has also been linked to strength and wit, and today it symbolizes personal empowerment and inner strength.
Royal collectors have prized amethyst for centuries. GIA notes that Catherine the Great admired amethyst and that the Duchess of Windsor wore a 1953 Cartier amethyst necklace. Russia supplied most amethyst until the 19th century, when large Brazilian deposits made the February birthstone far more available (GIA, February birthstone).
Amethyst kept its February spot when the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, published the modern list in 1912, as the International Gem Society notes. Older traditional lists from the 15th to 20th centuries also named hyacinth and pearl for February, per the Wikipedia birthstone page, but those are rarely used today.
Is Green Amethyst a February Birthstone?
Green amethyst is not an official February birthstone. The stone sold as green amethyst is prasiolite, a green quartz that is almost always made by heating certain amethyst.
The Wikipedia prasiolite entry notes that natural prasiolite is exceedingly rare and that the name green amethyst conflicts with Federal Trade Commission guidelines. Prasiolite still ranks 7 on the Mohs scale, so it wears like amethyst. Choose it as a February inspired color twist, and label it correctly when gifting.
February Birthstone Alternatives Compared
Amethyst is the classic February choice, but alternatives fit specific budgets and hardness needs. The table compares the stones shoppers most often consider.
| Stone | Mohs hardness | Color range | Relative price tier | Everyday wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural amethyst | 7 | Lilac to deep purple | Low to moderate | Good, protect from knocks in rings |
| Lab-created amethyst | 7 | Lilac to deep purple | Low | Good, same wear as natural |
| Prasiolite (green amethyst) | 7 | Pale to medium green | Low to moderate | Good |
| Purple sapphire | 9 | Violet to purple | High | Excellent, including rings |
GIA notes that lab-created amethyst has been available since the 1970s, has the same chemical and physical properties as natural amethyst, and must be disclosed by sellers. Purple sapphire hardness comes from the GIA sapphire gem encyclopedia, which counts violet and purple among sapphire's colors.
How to Care for Amethyst Jewelry
A soft brush with mild soap is the safest way to clean amethyst, GIA says. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually acceptable, but steam cleaning is not recommended.
- Keep amethyst out of long, strong light, because prolonged exposure can fade its color.
- Store amethyst apart from ruby, sapphire and diamond, which are harder and can scratch it.
- Take amethyst rings off for gym sessions, cleaning and gardening.
- Care for the setting too. For plated metals, follow the gold plated jewelry care guide.
How to Wear and Gift a February Birthstone
A February birthstone necklace is the easiest way to wear purple every day. A small pendant pairs well with gold tones, and the necklace length guide helps you decide where it should fall.
Start with birthstone styles such as the Faye Birthstone Necklace, Noa Birthstone Necklace, Kali Birthstone Necklace and Celeste Birthstone Necklace. Check each product page for the stone used for February and current availability.
Purple reads warm next to gold tones and cool next to silver tones, so match the metal she already wears most. If she mixes both, the guide to mixing gold and silver jewelry shows how to combine them without clashing. In a layered look, keep the amethyst pendant on the shortest strand and add plain chains below it.
For a February birthstone ring, browse gemstone rings, and add gemstone earrings for a matching set. February birthdays fall under Aquarius and Pisces, so a sign piece from the zodiac collection pairs nicely, and Valentine's Day gifting ideas live in the ultimate gift guide for her.
Frequently Asked Questions About the February Birthstone
What are the two birthstones for February?
February has only one official birthstone: amethyst. Both the 1912 US list and the British list name amethyst alone for February. Older traditional lists from the 15th to 20th centuries also mentioned hyacinth and pearl, which is why some charts show two stones. Green amethyst, or prasiolite, is a green quartz trade name rather than a second birthstone. For a February gift, amethyst at Mohs 7 is the classic and safest choice.
What does the February birthstone mean?
Amethyst stands for calm, clarity and inner strength. The name comes from the Greek amethystos, a remedy against drunkenness, and ancient Greeks linked the stone to Bacchus, god of wine. Renaissance Europeans believed amethyst calmed passion, and GIA describes it today as a symbol of personal empowerment. Amethyst is also the traditional gift for a 6th wedding anniversary, which adds a second gifting occasion.
Is amethyst good for everyday wear?
Yes, with a little care. Amethyst ranks 7 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for necklaces and earrings worn daily and for rings worn with some caution. Harder gems such as ruby, sapphire and diamond can scratch it, so store pieces separately. GIA notes that prolonged light exposure can fade amethyst, so avoid leaving it in a sunny window. Clean it with mild soap and a soft brush.
What is the rarest birthstone?
Tanzanite, a December birthstone, is often called the rarest because it is commercially mined in only one area, the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania. Fine alexandrite, a June birthstone, is also scarce. Amethyst is the opposite: large deposits in Brazil, Zambia and Bolivia keep it widely available. That availability is good news for February birthdays, since quality amethyst stays affordable.
Is lab-created amethyst real?
Yes. Lab-created amethyst is real quartz with the same chemical and physical properties as natural amethyst, and GIA notes it has been produced since the 1970s. Telling the two apart can require advanced testing, so sellers must disclose a lab origin. Both rank 7 on the Mohs scale and wear the same way. Ask whether a stone is natural or lab grown before you buy, especially for a heirloom gift.
Find a February piece to celebrate the month in the EVRY gemstone necklaces collection.
