Amethyst - February Birthstone

The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.

From light pinkish violet to a deep dark purple, the Greeks believed these beautiful stones could prevent intoxication hence the name; the word amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk”! Medieval soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle because they believed amethysts could heal people and keep them cool-headed. 

Because of their beautiful colour and relative hardness, amethysts have been used in jewellery for many hundreds of years, in fact beads of amethyst have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves. But although it is quite a hard stone it's still only 1/15 the strength of a diamond. 

The most expensive amethysts are the darker purple, which look gorgeously regal,  but I have to say love the lighter violet and pinky colours too.

Did you know some types amethyst can be meters long. In 1900 in Mexico a stone was found which measured 33 feet, by 16 feet, by 10 feet and weighed over 8 tonnes.Not your jewellery grade amethyst you understand!!

January birthstone info

More information on the other birthstones

Storage boxes

Loving my bead storage boxes. I bought them from ebay a couple of months ago when I was in my post move, frenzied organisation stage.

They cost about £2.50 incl postage, and are brilliant. Soooo much cheaper than the ones you get in bead shops!

Apart from anything else, just looking at my findings and beads neatly set out usually creates a little spark of inspiration.

Anyone else got any storage tips? I'm planning out my new workspace for when we get our building work done (probably not until next year, but I can plan it!!), so I'm thinking some handy wall tubs would be good. I saw some lovely storage things a while back but I'm still searching for the perfect one!

Ice ice baby

All right stop, collaborate and listen....

Sorry sorry sorry couldn't resist. You know you're going to be singing that all day now (or is it just me?)

I've just had some new supplies arrive and they look so gorgeous, I just had to show you...

Crystal chips, nuggets, crackle crystal beads, shiney pearls, and swarovski cubes - I've suddenly come over all wintery (creatively speaking), so look out for some ice gems in the shops soon.