Traditionally, pink or red heart-themed manicures reign supreme in February—thanks to Valentine's Day, of course. And while we love classic red or pretty pink polish color or dainty nail art any time of the year, a decidedly untraditional (but still attention-grabbing!) manicure idea to consider this February is the month's richly-hued birthstone, amethyst.
Amethyst is a decadent purple gem that ranges in hue from lilac and grape to plum and eggplant. According to the Geological Institute of America (GIA), early Greek mythology associated the gem with Bacchus, the god of wine, while others had a more practical idea of its influence; Renaissance Europeans thought it "calmed lovers overrun by passion." It also had royal approval—Catherine the Great reportedly had a major penchant for the gem. Maybe that was because lore claimed it had "mystical powers" and would convey "strength and wit to those who wore it."
To help inspire your anything-but-pink February manicure, we compiled nine fitting amethyst nail looks, plus nine polishes that you can grab to create a rich and royal look at home.
