A cupid’s stone, Amethyst: The Birthstone of February
As if one were briefly cast under a spell and then gently released, the amethyst gemstone exudes a dualistic aura, both innocent and alluring. This captivating quality may stem from ancient Greek mythology: Dionysus and Amethystos, where the origins of amethyst are tied to a tragic tale of innocence and temptation with the name Amethystos meaning “not intoxicated” or “not drunken.”
Another legend tells of St. Valentine wearing an amethyst ring engraved with Cupid’s likeness. This association is often cited as the reason amethyst became February’s birthstone, with both stories celebrating love alongside its many other attributed qualities: protection, purification, and transformation.
A Gentle Gemstone
Amethyst is prized as a versatile gemstone for jewellery, admired for its beautiful and wide array of purple hues. Although it ranks a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, craftsmen and amethyst wearers often regard it as a relatively soft gemstone, as it can show visible wear and tear over time. As a result, it is best suited for casual wear and is less commonly chosen as an engagement stone.
That said, never say never. With mindful care, amethyst remains a delicate and ethereal choice, for its violet hues, making it undeniably entrancing for those willing to commit to its upkeep.
Love, Cast in Purple
Here at KOBO, we are delighted to showcase a beautiful solitaire ring, featuring a base crafted by our customer H and the gemstone carefully set by our Japanese craftsman. At its heart lies the amethyst, elegantly encapsulated within a crown setting and paired with a double-twist platinum band, creating an engagement ring that is both distinctive and deeply personal. For amethyst gemstones, an inner stone setting is generally recommended to better protect the stone and ensure lasting wear.
H’s partner adores the gemstone, which inspired him to choose this deep royal purple for her ring during our complimentary bridal viewing with us. With love in mind, he carefully practiced and engraved messages and symbols representing their bond, creating a promise ring destined for the moment of “I do.”
Sprinkle of Love
Unless it is a classic solitaire, there is no fixed number of stones required for an engagement ring. With melee gemstones available in our workshop, these additional, playful, and meaningful touches bring extra joy and sparkle, transforming each ring into a one-of-a-kind piece made especially for your partner. We offer both outer and inner stone setting styles, featuring various gemstones for an added layer of personal significance.
Ultimately, the ideal engagement ring is one that reflects the wearer’s personal style—whether that’s a minimalist single-stone design or a more intricate, multi-stone creation. Keep your partner’s preferences in mind with the utmost care, and let their individuality guide the design.
A Token of Devotion
In summary, for a purple variety of the quartz mineral family, amethyst’s colour is not only visually striking but also carries spiritual significance, bridging the physical and the metaphysical. It is believed to calm passionate impulses and promote mental clarity, making it a grounding stone that helps balance and cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. Evidently, amethyst has been cherished across civilizations—adorned by royalty, used as religious relics, and carried as personal talismans. Even today, purple crystals are often used in tarot readings or scrying to enhance focus and insight.
With its beauty, spiritual significance, and affordability, amethyst remains a value-driven gemstone accessible to all; it reigns as February’s gemstone of love, embodying passion, protection, and transformation. Yet the world of gemstones is full of possibilities. Discover and select from our curated collection through a personalized consultation, and let us help you create a promise ring that’s that reflects your love story.
| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gemstone | A natural mineral (or organic material) cut and polished for jewellery |
| Birthstone | A gemstone traditionally linked to a birth month |
| Carat (ct) | The weight of a gemstone, not its size |
| Hardness | How resistant a gemstone is to scratching |
| Mohs Scale | A scale from 1–10 used to measure gemstone hardness |
| Cleavage | Natural lines where a gemstone can split |
| No Cleavage | Less likely to crack or break during wear |
| Durability | How well a gemstone holds up in daily use |
| Facet | Flat, polished surfaces on a gemstone |
| Faceted Cut | A cut with many surfaces designed to enhance sparkle |
| Brilliance | The amount of white light reflected by a gemstone |
| Fire (Dispersion) | Rainbow flashes seen when light passes through a stone |
| Colour Dispersion | How well a gemstone separates light into colours |
| Clarity | How clear a gemstone is, based on natural marks |
| Inclusions | Natural internal features formed during the gemstone’s growth |
| Hue | The main colour of a gemstone |
| Tone | How light or dark the colour appears |
| Saturation | The strength or intensity of the colour |
| Transparency | How much light passes through the stone |
| Species | The gemstone’s chemical group (e.g. garnet) |
| Variety | A specific type within a species (e.g. demantoid) |
| Trade Name | A commercial or market-used gemstone name |
| Origin | The geographic location where the gemstone was mined |
| Setting | The metal structure that holds the gemstone in place |
| Polish | The smoothness and finish of the gemstone’s surface |
| Hierarchy / Order | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Group (Family) | The broadest category, based on chemical composition and crystal structure |
| 2. Species | A subgroup within a group, defined by a specific chemical composition |
| 3. Variety | A naturally occurring variation of a species, often distinguished by colour or minor chemical differences |
| 4. Trade Name | A commercial or market-used gemstone name, sometimes emphasizing rarity, colour, or origin |
Example:
Group: Garnet → Species: Pyrope → Variety: Malaya Garnet → Trade Name: Imperial Garnet
The information in this article has been sourced from multiple trusted gemology websites and expert references from:
1. Gemological Institute of America (GIA) | 2. International Gem Society (IGS) | 3. The Rare Gemstone Company