Birthstones
February Birthstone: Amethyst (Jamunia) فروری
In short: Amethyst, called Jamunia in Urdu after the purple jamun fruit, is the birthstone for February. This purple quartz ranges from pale lilac to dark royal purple and sits at 7 on the Mohs scale, so it suits everyday rings. A deep, even purple is the most prized, and by tradition the stone stands for calm and balance.
Amethyst is the birthstone for February. It is purple quartz, called Jamunia in Urdu after the deep purple of the jamun fruit, and it ranges from pale lilac to a dark royal purple. At 7 on the Mohs scale it is practical for everyday rings, and good colour is available across many budgets.
- Month
- February
- Birthstone
- Amethyst
- Urdu name
- Jamunia
- Colours
- Pale lilac to deep purple
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Mineral
- Quartz
From the vault
Shop amethyst
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
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Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
Meaning and history
The name comes from an ancient Greek word usually translated as "not drunk", and the Greeks linked the stone with a clear head. Amethyst was later set in church rings and royal regalia, which is how purple stones gained their royal reputation. By tradition it stands for calm and balance. It has been February's stone since the first modern list was drawn up.
Colours and how to choose
Colour drives value more than anything else. What to look for:
- Depth. A deep, even purple with flashes of red or blue is the most prized. Pale lilac costs less and looks soft and pretty in daylight.
- Even colour. Amethyst often grows in bands. Look down through the top of the stone: stripes of pale and dark purple lower its value.
- Clarity. Faceted amethyst should be clean to the eye. Small feathers are acceptable in cabochons and beads.
- Size. Large clean amethysts are easier to find than large clean sapphires, so a bold stone is realistic here.
For a harder purple stone, see purple sapphire. For a lighter pink-violet, look at kunzite. Browse all amethyst.
Real or fake: what to check
- Purple glass is the commonest imitation. Look for round bubbles under a loupe and soft, chipped facet edges.
- Dyed quartz shows colour gathered in cracks and along the surface rather than spread through the stone.
- A large stone with perfectly even colour and no zoning at all deserves a lab test. We sell natural amethyst only.
- Some citrine on the market is heated amethyst. That is a separate stone and should be sold under its own name.
Care
Amethyst's colour can fade with long exposure to strong sunlight or heat, so do not leave it on a sunny windowsill or near a stove. Clean it in lukewarm soapy water and dry it with a soft cloth. Read keeping amethyst purple and our February birthstone guide for more.
A February gift
Amethyst is an easy first gemstone for a daughter, sister or friend born in February, because the colour suits both gold and silver. Purple and lilac outfits are common at walima receptions, and an amethyst ring or pendant matches them well. For Eid, a loose amethyst in a small box is a gift the family jeweller can set later.
References
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