February Birthstone: Amethyst
February's birthstone is amethyst. Amethyst is purple and traditionally associated with clarity, calm, wisdom.
Modern U.S. list · reviewed by MyPiece Editorial · 2026-08-04
- Stone
- Amethyst
- Colour
- Amethyst: purple
- Hardness
- Amethyst: Mohs 7
- Zodiac
- Aquarius · Pisces
Amethyst
Modern U.S. list · term amethyst
Once as prized as ruby, amethyst was a royal purple worn by bishops and emperors — until vast Brazilian and Uruguayan finds in the 1800s made it affordable. It's the same violet quartz the ancients believed warded off drunkenness (its name means "not intoxicated"), now within anyone's reach.
Traditionally a symbol of clarity, calm, wisdom, and Mohs 7 — tough enough for everyday wear. How to care for it →
Where does amethyst come from?
Amethyst is mined around Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A major modern source, alongside Uruguay. Amethyst is mined around Zambia. A source of deep-violet amethyst.
Mined around Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Rio Grande do Sul · Brazil
A major modern source, alongside Uruguay.
Mined around Zambia
Zambia
A source of deep-violet amethyst.
Where is amethyst cut and traded?
Amethyst is cut and traded in São Paulo, Brazil and Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries. This page follows the Jewelers of America modern U.S. list. Amethyst is the modern listed stone for February. Amethyst has held February on both the modern and traditional lists for centuries — one of the months where old and new agree.
Common questions
What is February's birthstone?
February's birthstone is amethyst. Amethyst has held February on both the modern and traditional lists for centuries — one of the months where old and new agree.
What colour is February's birthstone?
Amethyst is purple.
What does February's birthstone mean?
Amethyst traditionally stands for clarity, calm, wisdom — associations carried by custom, not science.
Where is amethyst sourced?
Amethyst is mined around Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A major modern source, alongside Uruguay. Amethyst is mined around Zambia. A source of deep-violet amethyst.
What is the Aquarius and Pisces birthstone?
February runs from Aquarius into Pisces, and amethyst serves both in the calendar-month list. Sign-based tables can use different traditions.
Is amethyst tough enough for everyday wear?
Amethyst is Mohs 7 and is generally more suitable for frequent wear. Hardness is only one care factor, so the setting and the stone's condition still matter.
Sources & further reading
Amethyst
- GIA - Amethyst Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- GIA - The Lapidary Tradition of Idar-Obersteinchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Amethystchecked 2026-08-04