Amethyst is a violet variety of
quartz often used in
jewelry. The name comes from the
Ancient Greek ἀ a- ("not") and
μέθυστος méthystos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from
drunkenness. The
ancient Greeks wore amethyst and made
drinking vessels decorated with it in the belief that it would prevent
intoxication. It is one of several forms of
quartz. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone and is the traditional
birthstone for February.