February Birthstone: Amethyst

Alluring amethyst is the February birthstone, as well as the zodiac gemstone for those born under the Pisces sign. Women born in the month of February enjoy the plum luck of having one of the most beautiful as well as fairly affordable of the birthstones, making amethyst jewelry a perfect pick for Valentine’s Day babies and Pisces alike.

Amethyst Myth & Legend

The February birthstone is surrounded by a number of interesting myths and legends. Among them is the story of the origin of the amethyst gemstone from Greek mythology. According to the myth, a young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to pray to the goddess Diana when she became the unjust target of the god of wine’s (Dionysus’) anger against mortals. Dionysus set two tigers upon her to devour her, but Diana protected Amethyst from pain and suffering by forever turning her into a beautiful piece of clear crystal quartz. Upon seeing this, Dionysus realized his actions were wrong and wept into his goblet of wine, then accidentally dropped it upon the clear quartz stone, staining it a deep purple color. Thus was formed the first amethyst, from the maiden Amethyst.

Amethyst History & Facts

Purple has long been regarded throughout history as the color of royalty. Because of this, amethyst has served as one of the favorite gemstones in royal jewelry over the centuries. Since the days when Diana and Dionysus created amethyst, the stunning crystal quartz has been coveted by the rich and powerful.  Amethyst has been found in many different parts of the world including Uruguay, Brazil, Russia, Zambia, Mexico, Sri Lanka and the United States.

Amethyst is usually thought of as a purple stone, but it also comes in a sea foam shade of green that looks lovely in jewelry.  Generally speaking, the darker a piece of amethyst the more valuable it is; however, many women actually prefer the lavender shades of amethyst, and much of it comes down to personal preference. The beautiful quality and popularity of the stone make it valuable, but luckily there are many sources for the February birthstone, quenching the demand for it and keeping the price of amethyst jewelry affordable.

Beautiful Amethyst Jewelry Picks

For February birthdays, amethyst jewelry is a special gift that will be cherished for a lifetime. Here are three of our favorite amethyst pieces of jewelry for giving:

1. Art Deco Diamond and Amethyst Ring in 14K White Gold – Vintage lovers will fall head over heels for this sparkling diamond and amethyst Art Deco style bauble.

2. Amethyst Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold – Lovely and understated, these stud earrings are fabulous and affordable.

3. Sea Foam Green Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring – For a truly unique February birthstone gift, wow the birthday girl with this spectacularly stunning green amethyst cocktail ring. A massive sea glass hued amethyst is surrounded by a halo of diamonds for a gorgeous style statement.

Picture Perfect: Our Chic Style Guide to Holiday Dressing

What’s the perfect accessory to compliment your holiday attire? A sparkling, irresistibly gorgeous cocktail ring of course. A bold piece of jewelry has the power to put the finishing touch on any outfit, and will take your holiday look from drab to fab. And since a pretty cocktail ring is the ultimate in statement jewelry, you are guaranteed to get heads turning. With so many beautiful options, we have created a fashion guide for holiday dressing and accessorizing. Being the belle of the ball just got a whole lot easier.

1. Holiday Party Outfit #1: The Little Black Dress

Nothing can rival the style and sass of the perfect little black dress. Tulip shaped skirts and fitted, modest necklines evoke an Audrey Hepburn sensibility and suit a wide range of body types. Make your adorable LBD pop with a vibrantly hued citrine cocktail ring encircled by sparkling diamonds. The classic emerald cut and vintage style setting looks like something Hepburn herself would have worn.

2. Holiday Party Outfit #2:  Pencil Skirt with a Dressy Top

A knee-length fitted pencil skirt looks lovely topped off with a brightly hued silk blouse. Choose a blouse with romantic details, like lace-capped sleeves, a bow at the neckline, or a dramatic back. This keeps the attention around your face while allowing you to hide any perceived flaws with a simple black skirt. Since your blouse will already provide a burst of color, finish off your party look by adding a sparkling cocktail ring in a muted tone. We suggest this pale seafoam-green amethyst ring in a classic oval cut shape.

3. Holiday Party Outfit #3: Dressy Jacket and Slacks

Wearing slacks and a jacket is a comfortable alternative to dresses and skirts. The trick is to assemble your outfit properly to make it dressy enough for the holidays. First, make sure that the fabric of your jacket and pants is a dressy fabric – this means no 100% cotton pants allowed and definitely no jeans. Silk blends, taffeta, nice knits and cashmere are holiday-appropriate fabrics.

Next, choose an elegant top to wear underneath the jacket. Stick with the same aforementioned fabrics, and pick a top with pretty details that will peek out underneath your jacket; for example, bold patterns, ruffled collars, intricate necklines, and bright colors. Finally, add a few pieces of bold jewelry to finish dressing up the look. A gorgeous berry-hued garnet ring is just the right color for the season and makes quite a statement.