Satterfield & Dempsey Jewelers - Warner Robins, Georgia

*Famous February Birthdays*
Christie Brinkley	Farrah Fawcett
Hank Aaron	Tom Brokaw
Zsa Zsa Gabor	Garth Brooks
Chris Rock	Ashton Kutcher
Joe Pesci	Travis Tritt
Robert Wagner	Jennifer Aniston
Sheryl Crow	Burt Reynolds
Leslie Nielsen	Christina Ricci
Jane Seymour	Paris Hilton
Michael Jordan	Vanna White
Kelsey Grammar	Drew Barrymore
Josh Groban	Ralph Nader
Elizabeth Taylor	Mario Andretti
Dakota Fanning	Jeff Daniels
Jennifer Love Hewitt	Sen. Edward M. Kennedy
Jerry Springer	John Travolta

Amethyst: Purple has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst has been so much in demand during history. Fine amethysts are featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. Amethyst, transparent purple quartz, is the most important quartz variety used in jewelry. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence.

The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek myths. Dionysius, the god of intoxication, was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish. Along came unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a stature of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today.

Amethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as in Zambia, Namibia and other African countries. Generally, amethyst from South America tends to be available in larger sizes than African amethyst but amethyst from Africa has the reputation for having better, more saturated, color in small sizes. Very dark amethyst is also mined in Australia.