February Birthstone: Amethyst Meaning, Colour and Gift Ideas

What is the February Birthstone?

February babies, you have been given something rather special. The February birthstone is amethyst, the purple queen of the quartz family, and it has the month all to itself. No sharing, no alternates, just one glorious violet gem for the shortest, frostiest, most quietly magical month of the year.

This guide is our love letter to amethyst as a birthstone: what it means, where it comes from, why it belongs to February, and how to choose a piece for yourself or for the February soul you are shopping for. You can browse our handmade February birthstone jewellery any time the mood takes you.

February Birthstone at a Glance

Birthstone	Amethyst
Colour	Pale lilac to deep royal purple
Meaning	Peace, protection, intuition and wisdom
Chakras	Third eye and crown
Mineral	Quartz
Found in	Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia
Mohs hardness	7
Zodiac	Aquarius (20 January to 18 February) and Pisces (19 February to 20 March)

What Colour is the February Birthstone?

The February birthstone colour is purple, in every shade from the palest lilac to a deep, velvety violet. Think of crocuses pushing through the snow, a winter sky just after sunset, or the inside of a velvet-lined jewellery box. The colour comes from tiny traces of iron in the quartz, transformed over millions of years deep inside the earth.

The most prized amethyst is a rich purple with flashes of rose and blue, but we have a soft spot for the gentle lavender stones too. There really is a purple for everyone.

February Birthstone Meaning

The February birthstone meaning is peace, protection and inner wisdom. Amethyst has been known for thousands of years as the stone of the calm, clear mind, and it is the one we reach for when life gets noisy and we need to hear ourselves think.

It is closely tied to intuition. Linked with the third eye and crown chakras, amethyst is a favourite for meditation, dream journals and quiet mornings with a cup of tea. A fitting stone for the month when the world is still half asleep and dreaming of spring.

For the full story of its properties, wander over to our in-depth guide to amethyst meaning and healing properties.

Why is Amethyst the Birthstone for February?

Amethyst has belonged to February for centuries, and there is a rather romantic reason for it. Saint Valentine, whose feast falls on the 14th, is said to have worn an amethyst ring engraved with the figure of Cupid. The stone became a symbol of faithful, devoted love, and it has been February's gem ever since. It is also the traditional gift for a sixth wedding anniversary.

The History of Amethyst: A Stone Fit for Royalty

For most of history, amethyst was as rare and precious as ruby, sapphire and emerald. Purple was the colour of kings and queens, and amethyst was the gem to match.

• The ancient Egyptians carved it into protective amulets.
• Bishops have worn amethyst rings for centuries as a symbol of devotion.
• Catherine the Great of Russia adored it and sent miners into the Ural mountains to find more.
• Amethysts still sparkle in the British Crown Jewels today.
• Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethyst could quicken the intelligence and chase away dark thoughts.

Then, in the 1800s, vast deposits were discovered in Brazil, and this royal gem became something everyone could treasure. We think that is the best part of the story.

Types of Amethyst

Not all amethyst looks the same, which makes choosing a February birthstone gift even more fun.

• Classic purple amethyst: the true February birthstone, from soft lilac to deep violet. Our amethyst slice vegan silk necklace shows it off beautifully.
• African amethyst: prized for its especially deep, saturated purple. See our African amethyst vegan silk necklace.
• Green amethyst: also called prasiolite, a soft sage-green quartz for those who like to be a little different. See our green amethyst vegan silk necklace.
• Ametrine: amethyst and citrine growing together in one stone, purple and gold side by side. Browse our ametrine jewellery.

February Birthstones and the Zodiac

February is shared by two signs. Free-thinking Aquarius (20 January to 18 February) loves amethyst for its clarity and vision, a stone for big ideas and original minds. Dreamy Pisces (19 February to 20 March) feels right at home with its intuitive, otherworldly glow. For more star-sign pairings, have a read of our guide to gemstone jewellery for your zodiac sign.

How to Wear and Care for Your February Birthstone

Good news: amethyst is a hard-wearing stone, happy to be worn every day. It has just one weakness.

• Keep it out of strong sun. Long spells in direct sunlight can fade its purple colour, so store it away from bright windowsills.
• Clean it gently. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth are all it needs.
• Store it on its own. A soft pouch stops harder gems from scratching it.

Worn as a necklace, amethyst sits close to the heart and catches the light beautifully. To keep its energy feeling fresh, leave it out under the full moon, or see our guide to cleansing your crystals.

February Birthstone Necklaces and Gift Ideas

A February birthday arrives when everyone could do with a little colour, and a birthstone is a gift that keeps glowing long after the cake is gone. Here are a few of our favourites.

• Our mini amethyst heart necklace is a tiny faceted heart of February purple on recycled sterling silver or 9ct gold. Mini in size, mighty in vibration, and a sweet way to say "I love you" to a February soul.
• For a simple everyday February birthstone necklace, the amethyst slice vegan silk necklace is light, delicate and easy to layer.
• For the moon lover, our amethyst crescent moon necklace, hand carved and hung on recycled silver or gold.
• For something wonderfully unusual, the hand carved amethyst fig necklace.
• For a stack of purple on the wrist, see our amethyst bracelets.
• Looking for a February birthstone ring, or simply want to see everything? Explore the full February birthstone jewellery collection and all of our amethyst jewellery.
• Not sure which they would choose? Browse our gift ideas or let them pick with a gift voucher.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.

February Birthstone FAQs

What is the birthstone for February?

The birthstone for February is amethyst, the purple variety of quartz.

What colour is the February birthstone?

Purple. Amethyst ranges from pale lilac to deep violet.

What does the February birthstone mean?

Amethyst stands for peace, protection, intuition and wisdom. It is also a symbol of faithful love.

Does February have more than one birthstone?

No. Unlike many months, February has a single birthstone: amethyst.

Why is amethyst the February birthstone?

Amethyst has been linked with February for centuries, partly through Saint Valentine, who is said to have worn an amethyst ring.

What is the birthstone for Aquarius and Pisces?

Amethyst suits both. It is the birthstone for February, which is shared by Aquarius and Pisces.

Can I wear amethyst every day?

Yes. With a Mohs hardness of 7, amethyst is well suited to everyday jewellery. Just keep it out of long spells of strong sunlight.

Is green amethyst a February birthstone?

Purple amethyst is the traditional February birthstone. Green amethyst is a close relative, and a lovely alternative if purple is not your colour.

Explore More Birthstones

Shopping for another month? See every stone in our guide to birthstone jewellery by month, read up on January's garnet or March's aquamarine and bloodstone, or lose yourself in our A-Z crystal guide.