Introduction
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February & the anniversary gemstone for the 6th year of marriage.

Amethyst is a purple color gemstone. The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek myths. Dionysius, the god of intoxication, was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish. Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysius wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today.

Purple color has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst has been so popular throughout history.

Definition
Amethyst (Amethyst): Amethyst is the birthstone of February, and associated gemstone of zodiac signs Pisces and Aries. One of the oldest gem types known to man, this variety of purple quartz has been found in tombs dating back to the 1st Dynasty of Egypt, circa 3000 B.C. Once considered a rare Cardinal gem alongside Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, Amethyst was traditionally reserved for the upper classes of society. Today, although it is still practice for members of the Catholic Church to wear rings set with this gem, Amethyst is found worldwide and is classified as a semi-precious gem type. Alongside Topaz, Amethyst is one of the world's most popular colored gemstones.

Color Facts
Amethyst comes in an eclectic range of nuances, from pale lilac to an intense deep purple with red flashes, the latter of which commands the highest premium. Due to its widespread popularity Amethyst has assumed several pseudonyms relating to its color: 'Rose de France' is a pale lavender or lilac color and is the least coveted, while the most prized is the intense purple variety termed 'Siberian.' This last term is slightly misleading, as it refers to the past when this grade of Amethyst was mined from locales such as Mursinka, in the Ekaterinburg district of Russia. At present, premium quality Amethyst of the highest quality is not only sourced from Russia, but also Zambia and Uruguay.

The color of Amethyst is due to the presence of ferric iron, and 'Color Centers' linked to natural radiation. (Please read: How Does Amethyst Get It's Color?) Most Amethyst crystals display phantom zoning as color variation or patterns in the crystal. To produce high quality faceted gemstones, amethyst must be uniform in color. Although Amethyst is one of the most widespread gem types, superior examples that are suitable for faceting into gems are limited to relatively few regions and are quite scarce.

Color Tips
Before making a purchase considering an Amethyst's color is pivotal to the process of evaluation, an Amethyst's clarity comes second. Taste in color is a personal matter, so while the following points are verified facts from the gemstone world they are also up for contention, and in no way are intended to restrict your personal preferences.

Some think that when buying an Amethyst, as a gem alone or set into jewelry, the darker the color the better the gem: False. If an Amethyst is too dark and subdued it's lifeless, lacking all the qualities for which it is renowned. Go for rich, bright, vivid colors: with clear medium-tones.

The more intense the color the higher the price, and although the Amethyst is infinitely more affordable than many other colored gemstones, prices for large top quality Amethyst can be quite expensive. Amethyst ranges in price from about $20 to $40 per Carat for well-cut gems between 1 and 2 Carats, up to as much as $100 to $150 per carats for large fine gems of top color. So if your budget doesn't allow it look for muted colors, colors between hues, which are still appealing but less expensive.

Amethyst Care
Remove jewelry before doing heavy work. Take care of your Amethyst by treating it gently, and by keeping your gems and jewelry clean.

To keep your gems sparkling, clean them when dust and fingerprints have dimmed their brilliance. The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Dry your jewelry thoroughly with a soft cloth, and use 'Q tips' to get into the more difficult places.

Soaking Amethyst in alcohol such as vodka, overnight loosens stubborn dirt, which can then be rinsed and brushed away. Always use a soft brush but no abrasives, not even toothpaste; such abrasives will not hurt Amethyst but will scratch the softer silver, gold or platinum settings.

In the case of Amethyst, possessing a medium hardness of 7 on the Moh's hardness scale with no cleavage, home ultrasonic cleaners can be used but should executed with great care. Ultrasonic cleaners can be used to clean lightly included sapphire, ruby, diamond, citrine, garnets, iolite, chrysoberyl, and unadorned jewelry but it may damage gems like topaz, peridot, emerald, pink tourmaline, pearls, coral, lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise, and any gem that possesses a cleavage or is heavily included. When in doubt, don't use it, and as always consult a local reputable jeweler before attempting any cleaning yourself.

To protect the beauty of your Amethyst gems and jewelry, make sure you store each piece separately. Gems may scratch each other or the metal in your jewelry. Avoid creating a tangle of jewelry by wrapping each piece individually or keeping it in its own compartment. Especially when you travel, make sure your jewelry pieces don't jostle each other in one bag.

Gemstones are among the most durable of nature's creations. With a little care, they will be as beautiful for generations to come as they are today.