Amethyst
Amethyst – February Birthstone
Amethyst is the most highly valued variety of the mineral quartz. Evidence has been found that jewels of amethyst were made around 3,000 B.C. in Egypt and Asia. The purple color of amethyst has a long tradition of being considered a royal color, making it very popular throughout history. British royalty, Catherine the Great, and Egyptian royalty all favored the amethyst. Its popularity continues today.
To be an amethyst, it must be purple. Shades of amethyst include deep purple, light lilac, lavender and pink-lavender. The most valuable color is deep to medium deep purple.
Amethyst is mined in locations around the world including Brazil, Zambia, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, Canada, India, Bolivia, and Argentina. Amethyst can also be found in the United States in the state of Arizona.
