February Birth Stone

February's birth stone is the Amethyst which comes from the Greek word "amethystos" meaning "not drunken." It comes from the Greek legend of Dionysius, who was the god of wine. Some mortal had angered him so much that Dionysius decided he would punish whoever next crossed his path. He selected a few tigers and hid them on the path, ready to attack the next unsuspecting mortal.

Who should come up the road next but Amethyst. She was on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. As the tigers raced to attack, Diana rescued Amethyst by turning her into a beautiful clear, crystalline statue. Dionysius came around the corner to survey the wreckage from his tigers only to discover Amethyst. He was so overcome by the beauty of her statue that he began to cry. His wine-colored tears fell on Amethyst's statue, staining it purple.