Amethyst is an anniversary gemstone for the 4th and 6th years of marriage and is the birthstone of August. Amethyst's rich purple color has made it a popular stone of royalty for thousands of years.

The Greek work "amethystos" (translated as "not drunken"), expresses the ancient folk belief that this stone protected its owner against drunkenness. It was once thought that drinking wine from an Amethyst goblet would prevent one from becoming inebriated. The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety today.

Amethyst was also once believed to encourage celibacy and as a result, amethyst was frequently used in the ornamentation of churches in the Middle Ages. In Tibet, amethyst is considered a sacred stone and rosaries are often made from it. It is seen as a symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind. According to gemstone lore, an amethyst, placed under the pillow at night, will produce a calm and peaceful nights sleep.