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February Birthstone- Amethyst

by Judy Ellis
February Birthstone - Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. A stone of wisdom, February's Amethyst draws forth one's intuition in order to bring clarity to emotions, feelings, and values. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone and is the traditional birthstone for February. Amethyst owes its violet color to irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace elements.
Let's take a look at the history of Amethyst and what makes it so beautiful!
Amethyst

Amethyst cluster from Magaliesburg, South Africa.
Judy Ellis's February Birthstone- Amethyst - , General Education, Design, , Amethyst
Hue and Tone
Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple.

Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue.

The best varieties of Amethysts can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and the far East.
Judy Ellis's February Birthstone- Amethyst - , General Education, Design, , Light amethyst CZ
The ideal grade is called "Deep Siberian" and has a primary purple hue of around 75-80%, with 15-20% blue and (depending on the light source) red secondary hues.
Judy Ellis's February Birthstone- Amethyst - , General Education, Design, , Rectangle Amethyst CZ
History:

Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems.

Pictured: Roman intaglio engraved gem of Caracalla in amethyst, once in the Treasury of Sainte-Chapelle
Judy Ellis's February Birthstone- Amethyst - , General Education, Design, , Amethyst carving
Greeks believed amethyst prevented intoxication.

Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets for battle protection, trusting it healed and kept them cool-headed.

Amethyst beads found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England.

Western Christian bishops wear episcopal rings set with amethyst, referencing Apostles as "not drunk" at Pentecost.
Synthetic Amethyst:
Synthetic amethyst created by irradiating clear quartz doped with ferric impurities.

Uses gamma-ray, x-ray, or electron beam methods.

Mimics top-quality natural amethyst closely in chemical and physical properties.

Requires advanced gemological testing for certain differentiation.
Where it's found:

Amethyst produced abundantly in Brazil within large geodes in volcanic rocks.

Also mined in South Korea; world's largest opencast vein in Lower Austria.

Fine amethyst from Russia; Zambia leads global production at 1000 tons annually.

Pictured: Amethyst geode formed by large crystals growing in rock voids.
Reader-Optimized Version

Amethyst occurs across many U.S. locations.

Includes Mazatzal Mountains in Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona; Red Feather Lakes near Ft. Collins, Colorado; Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park.

Also found in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan.

North America's largest amethyst mine is in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Judy Ellis's February Birthstone- Amethyst - , General Education, Design, , Amethyst Geode

Materials

Amethyst Gemstone Beads
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Amethyst Cubic Zirconia
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4mm Round Cubic Zirconia Complete 12 Birthstone Set
E10-1G
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  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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6mm Round Cubic Zirconia Birthstone Set
E10-1H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.06
  • Gold Club Price: $9.05
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8mm Round Cubic Zirconia Complete 12 Birthstone Set
E10-1I
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $23.74
  • Gold Club Price: $17.81
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
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Bench Tools
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Design, General Education

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