Happy birthday to all of the February babies!  Your birthstone the amethyst is a precious stone that was often used by Egyptians, Greeks, medieval European soldiers, and so many more.  Amethyst is a type of quartz and has the same hardness.  The stone is in hues from light pinkish violet to deep purple, although can be found in some shades of red and blue.  The highest grade amethyst is called a Deep Russian and is exceptionally rare.