Amethyst Gemstones -- The Color Purple

February's birthstone and the traditional stone for a sixth wedding anniversary is Amethyst.

Of all the quartz varieties, amethyst is by far the best known and most valuable. Amethyst derives its name from the Greek word meaning, "not to intoxicate", and its reputed power to prevent inebriation led to the belief that drinking wine from an amethyst cup would prevent drunkenness.

Amethyst gave rise to many other legends. It was thought to safeguard soldiers, ensure victory, aid hunters, protect against diseases, control evil thoughts, quicken the intelligence, and make its owner shrewd in business.

Several amethysts adorn the coronation regalia of England. The Orb, a golden ball six inches in diameter, contains a spectacularly colored amethyst one and one half inches high (4cm). The Royal Scepter is studded with amethysts, as is the coronet of the Prince of Wales. Today, Roman Catholic bishops often wear amethyst rings, and their ceremonial wine is drunk from goblets made from amethyst.

The colors that create purple are red and blue, two colors poles apart physically, emotionally, and symbolically. Since the brain is uncertain which color it is responding to, red or blue, purple is known as a psychologically oscillating (swinging) color. People either have a positive passion ("purple passion"), or hate the color.