2月の誕生石(アメジスト&クリソベリル・キャッツアイ)

February Birthstone (Amethyst & Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye)


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An elegant purple amethyst /
A ray of light in a green stone. A rare gemstone: chrysoberyl cat's eye.

アメジストクリソベリル・キャッツアイ
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Gemstone name amethyst Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
Mineral name Quartz Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
Japanese name amethyst crystal Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
Origin of the name It originated from the practice of wearing it as a charm to prevent getting drunk on alcohol ("amethystus"). The name is derived from "chrysos" (golden color) and "beryl" (the element beryl). The cat's eye effect refers to a single ray of light resembling a cat's eye.
color Purple, Green Yellow to brown to green
Mohs hardness 7 8.5
Place of origin Brazil, Zambia, Uruguay, etc. Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, etc.
Stone meanings Sincerity, peace of mind, nobility Astonishment, protection, mercy
effect Stress reduction, improved luck in family and love, prevention of intoxication Attract good fortune by being yourself.
Maintenance Wash gently with a soft brush in lukewarm water with a mild detergent / Ultrasonic cleaning / Store individually away from direct sunlight Wash gently with a soft brush in lukewarm water with a mild detergent / Ultrasonic cleaning
others Popular as a gift for someone celebrating their 70th birthday. The most popular is the cat's eye design, which features a beautiful streak of light within a honey-yellow base.

Purple has long been considered a noble color, and amethyst is a prime example. I'm sure you've all heard of amethyst, haven't you? Its Japanese name is Murasaki Suisho (purple quartz), and it is produced in large quantities in Japan, making it a familiar gemstone to Japanese people.Popular as a gift for someone celebrating their 70th birthday.Amethyst is not only the birthstone for February, but also the birthstone for the zodiac sign Sagittarius.
When the number of birthstones increased at the end of 2021, chrysoberyl cat's eye was a new addition to the collection.
I think few people are familiar with this. As the name suggests, it has a single ray of light in the gemstone, like a cat's eye.ChatoyancyIt is a rare stone that reveals the beauty of gemstones and teaches us about their charm.
This time, we'll introduce the birthstone for February.

▼Click here to learn more about other birthstones

1.amethyst

Characteristics of Amethyst

キャッツアイThe Japanese name for amethyst isamethyst crystalMany people probably associate purple gemstones with amethyst.
With its translucent color and elegant, noble appearance, it is also popular as a power stone. While primarily found in Brazil, it is mined in various parts of the world, including Japan.
Originally, amethyst was as precious as rubies and sapphires, but after mines were discovered in Brazil, it began to be produced in large quantities there.
While it's often associated with a solid purple color, there are also varieties with a clear green hue, which are called green amethysts.
Also, yellow quartz is citrine, and ametrine, which is a beautiful contrast created by a mixture of amethyst and citrine, is also well-known.


The origin of amethyst

The name amethyst comes from the Greek word "Amethustos," which means "not getting drunk." There's even a legend that you can drink wine poured into an amethyst glass without getting drunk.


Amethyst's effects

The meaning of the stone is "Sincerity, peace of mind, nobility".
The stone that prevents intoxicationAmethyst has long been associated with nobility and elegance, but beyond its purple hue, it's also famous for its meaning of "maintaining composure without losing oneself." It's used as a stone to enhance family and romantic relationships while preventing emotional outbursts.
This gemstone is recommended for those seeking inner peace.


Amethyst care

Amethyst is relatively fragile and may fade if exposed to sunlight for extended periods, so after use, wipe it with a soft cloth and store it separately in a jewelry box, making sure it doesn't come into contact with other jewelry.
When cleaning, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a little mild detergent (dish soap). Then, dip a soft brush (such as a toothbrush with soft bristles) into the detergent and gently dab the amethyst. Avoid scrubbing, as this can scratch the amethyst or loosen the prongs holding the stone. The key is to dab it gently. After washing, rinse the amethyst with lukewarm water.
Using an ultrasonic cleaner is recommended to remove fine dirt, but it's best to avoid ultrasonic cleaning if the amethyst has been dyed.


Hojudo offers a wide selection of amethyst jewelry. Please be sure to check out the Hojudo website.
▼Click here for amethyst jewelry



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have approximately 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstones, which you can pick up and examine. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, our prices are reasonable, less than half of the market price. We do not engage in any high-pressure sales tactics, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so please don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation to visit our store >
First, I'll ask a question via email.
Contact Us >




2.Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye

Characteristics of Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye

クリソベリル・キャッツアイChrysoberyl is a mineral name, and alexandrite, one of the three rarest gemstones, is also a mineral of this type. Chrysoberyl itself is green, yellow, or brown, but when it is cut into a rounded cabochon and a ray of light shines through it, it resembles a cat's eye, and this is called chrysoberyl cat's eye.What a cat can seeThis effect is called the cat's eye effect (chatoyancy), and stones exhibiting this effect are called cat's eye stones in Japanese. The true nature of this cat's eye effect is inclusions within the mineral.
The cat's eye effect can be seen in alexandrite and tourmaline as well as chrysoberyl, but chrysoberyl cat's eye is the most highly valued.
Those with a distinct, single cat's eye effect in a honey-like greenish-yellow color are particularly popular.
It is produced in limited regions, with India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil being the main producing areas.


The origin of chrysoberyl cat's eye

The name chrysoberyl is a combination of the Greek word "Chrysos," meaning gold, and "Beryllos," referring to the element beryl. As mentioned above, the term "cat's eye" comes from the cat's eye effect (chatoyancy), where a streak of light appears, resembling a cat's eye.
This mysterious gemstone, a natural creation, became popular after the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, presented it as an engagement ring in 1879. In Japan, after the end of World War II, chrysoberyl cat's eye was also frequently purchased along with opal and jade.


The effects of chrysoberyl cat's eye

The meaning of the stone is "Astonishment, protection, compassion".
The eye that sees the truthTherefore, it is well known as a protective amulet against evil.
Furthermore, the light of cat's eye is said to attract good fortune and prosperity, naturally bringing happiness to its owner.
This is recommended for those in management or leadership roles, as well as those who want to improve their interpersonal skills.


Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye Care

Because it is a hard gemstone that is resistant to heat, it is relatively easy to handle. However, because of its rounded cabochon cut, there is a risk of it being scratched if other hard stones rub against each other. Therefore, it is best to store it in a way that prevents it from coming into contact with other jewelry.
When cleaning, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a little mild detergent (dish soap). Then, dip a soft brush (such as a toothbrush with soft bristles) into the detergent and gently dab the garnet. Avoid scrubbing, as this can cause the prongs holding the stone to loosen; the key is to dab it. After washing, rinse the garnet with lukewarm water.
Using an ultrasonic cleaner is also recommended to remove fine dirt.


Hojudo offers a wide selection of chrysoberyl cat's eye jewelry. Please check out the Hojudo website for more information.
▼Chrysoberyl cat's eye jewelry is available here



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have approximately 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored gemstones, which you can pick up and examine. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, our prices are reasonable, less than half of the market price. We do not engage in any high-pressure sales tactics, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so please don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation to visit our store >
First, I'll ask a question via email.
Contact Us >