HISTORY OF THE FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE
A purple quartz and stunning blend of violet and red, the amethyst is the second most abundant
material
found in Earth’s crust. Its hardness makes a durable and lasting option for jewelry. Fine amethysts
have
been set in religious jewelry and royal crown jewels for ages, dating as far back as the ninth
century,
appealing to early monarchs. Purple dye was expensive and scarce back then, so it was reserved for
the
garments of kings and queens. The amethyst can be found all over the world, including the United
States,
Brazil, Zambia, and Canada in geodes or in the cavities of granitic rocks.