Which gemstone is associated with your birth month? What powers does it have? How can you best harness its energy? Tatler’s experts Valeri Ho and Nicole Chung help demystify birthstones and their properties
Amethyst is the birthstone for those born in February, and its name is derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “not drunk”. It has long been valued for its healing powers, so much so that ancient Greeks believed it could reverse the effects of intoxication. Not only the Greeks, the Romans too thought they could prevent drunkenness if they consumed wine from amethyst goblets. That’s why drinking vessels and jars made entirely from this gemstone or studded with it were extremely sought-after in ancient Greece and Rome.
In Britain, where the colour purple has symbolised English royalty since the Middle Ages, resulted in amethysts being featured on crown jewels and on the armour of members of the royal family. It remained an expensive stone until the 19th century, when large deposits were found in Brazil. Today it’s still very much in demand, used in high jewellery and mass-produced items alike.
Amethysts come in a spectrum of shades. Its rich purple shade, called Deep Siberian, is thought to be the most appealing, while the pastel shades of Rose de France amethysts have also gained popularity.
To get a better understanding of the lilac hued quartz stone’s powers, we speak with two experts: Valerie Ho of Omsa, an online mystic shop that works with individuals to cultivate self-care, and Nicole Chung of Moon Child and Stones, a social club that demystifies crystal healing with straightforward explanations about their hidden powers.
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Energy influence
Thanks to the spiritual properties associated with it, amethyst is thought to be a “psychic” stone. Where in Rome and Greece it was thought to evoke a sobering effect, inspiring clarity and a sense of calm, in Asia, it is said to elevate one’s consciousness, deepen one’s sense of intuition and relieve stress, and is also thought to attract wealth and power to its wearer. In Chinese culture, the stone is worn to protect against negativity and unknown dangers. Amethyst is thought to be a powerful stone that promotes restful sleep, and dissipates anxiety. According to feng shui practices, amethysts are often placed in the wealth corners of the home to attract flow of money.