Birthstone Information
BEAUTIFUL BIRTHSTONES FOR EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
Facts, folklore, pictures and more. Information about the various gemstones used as birthstones in vintage and contemporary jewelry. This list is not comprehensive. There are other birthstones also associated with each of the months. This ones I have listed in this article are considered the modern birthstones. There are also Traditional birthstones, Mystical Birthstones, and other types which I will cover in detail in later articles.
Many of the gemstones mentioned below have longer and more detailed articles in my resource library if you are looking for more information. Just click the links in the bold headings to go to these articles.
My thanks to ebay seller BangkokGemMart for his lovely gemstone photos.
January - Garnet
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
Garnets are the birthstone for those born in January. It is also known as the
gemstone for the second anniversary. People tend to think of garnets as being
very deep red,
but they are actually found in a wide color spectrum. In fact they are found in
all colors except blue. Anyone who loves the sun baked colors of late summer
will be attracted to this lovely stone.
Garnets are mined worldwide with many mines found in Madagascar, India, Brazil,
the US, , and other locations. Unfortunately, not all garnets which are mined
are good enough quality to use in jewelry.
The word garnet comes from the Latin word granatus. In nature, garnet crystals
which were embedded in rock often had the color and shape of pomegranate seeds.
As with all gemstones, garnets have metaphysical connections. During the Middle
Ages many believed that garnets would stop bleeding, since most are red. Some
early cultures believed that garnets were helpful in preventing and curing
infections and blood disorders.
Garnets have been known to Man for thousands of years. It is even said that Noah
used a garnet lantern to help him steer the ark through the dark night. Early
Egyptian, Greek and Roman times all have evidence of jewelry made from this
beautiful gemstone.
February - Amethyst
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
Those
born in the month of February have the royal privilege of having the amethyst as
their birthstone. The color varies from pale mauve through to a deep purple,
with the deeper and richer colors being the most valuable. It is a translucent
gemstone with is fairly durable and has good wear ability factors.
The word amethyst comes from the Greek word "a-methystos", which means not
drunk. It is thought to have a base in Greek Mythology with the goddess Diana
turning a young maiden into a quartz statue to save her from Tigers. The god
Dionysus wept purple tears, upon seeing this, which formed the now famous stone.
Garnets mines are found world wide with the most notable mines being in Brazil,
Bolivia, Canada, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Russia,
Sri Lanka, United States (Arizona), Uruguay and Zambia.
March - Aquamarine
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
Amethysts have a long history of healing powers being attributed to it. It is
thought to be of help for headaches, pancreatic ailments, and backache.
Aquamarine is one of the most popular gemstones, and is the birthstone for those
born in the month of
March.
The color of aquamarine varies a great deal. It can be any color blue from the
lush blue of the Spring sky to the deep blue of the waters. Anyone who has seen
a Mediterranean sea can understand why the stone is called aquamarine.
The word is derived from the Latin words "aqua" which means water, and "mare"
which means sea. It is a form of beryl, the category of gemstones of which the
emerald is also a part. The aquamarine is very clear with few inclusions.
A great amount of the world's aquamarine comes from Brazil, although it is also
found in the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even the
USA.
Since the early times, the aquamarine has been thought to be a lucky stone.
Folklore traditions state that it endows the wearer with happiness, courage and
security. Some even say that it awakens love in a listless marriage. It is also
thought to possess some healing benefits - including healing diseases of the
liver, stomach, heart and throat.
April - Diamond
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
If you were lucky enough to be born in April, your birthstone is the king of gemstones - the Diamond. "White diamonds" - the traditional style of engagement ring diamonds come in a range of colors from colorless to yellowish. The colorless ones are the most prized. But diamonds are also available in a wide range of colors in all hues of the rainbow. Red, black, blue and green are the most expensive and most desirable.
A diamond is formed in nature, first as a rough chunk of carbon called lampriote or kimberlite deep within the earth. Over the passage of time and great pressures, the deposit reaches the surface, where it can be mined, polished and set in jewelry
India is thought to have been the first large source of diamond mining. Large
diamond mining companies are found in South Africa, Russia and even Arkansas in
the USA.
There are many metaphysical and folklore tales association with diamonds. In
mythology, diamonds were thought by ancient Greeks to be splinters of stars
which had fallen to earth. Some even thought they were tears of the gods. They
also believed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds. It makes perfect
sense that this has translated, over the years, so that this lovely stone has
acquired the reputation of being the gift of lovers.
May - Emerald
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
Emerald is considered both the Modern and
Traditional birthstone for May. It is also known as a birthstone for the
Zodiac signs for Taurus and Cancer. Emerald is the only stone, other than
the Topaz, which is listed as in all of the ancient birthstone tables. This
emerald is also suggested as an anniversary gift for both
the 20th and 35th anniversaries and can be used as an alternate stone for
the 55th wedding anniversary.
Emeralds are mined from "host rocks." They have been found in many countries
around the world, but those from Columbia are at the top of the list with
jewelers and gemologists. Some of the best locations of Columbian mines are
in Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor. Columbian emeralds are especially fine with a
very shining emerald green which has very little bluish tint.
Emeralds have many metaphysical properties associated with them. They are
said to improve intellect and memory and to help with tired eyes and
insomnia. They supposedly give wearers the power to see into the future and
are associated with greatness in business. They act as emotional stabilizers
and help to release emotional trauma and help to govern perception of
other's emotions. They are thought to be associated with the heart chakra
and open the heart up to love, healing and peace.
June - Pearl
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
Pearls are considered the modern gemstone for those born in the month of
June. Other charts also show the moonstone and alexandrite, but the
pearl is the main stone associated with June, so I will discuss it for
this series. The meaning of pearl is gem of the sea. Pearl is often used
as a metaphor for something rare, fine, and admirable. It has been said
that the pearl is a symbol of femininity, preciousness, and purity of
heart.
The pearls can be of all types - freshwater, saltwater, faux or
cultured. Most pearls sold today have been cultured, which means
that
some sort of material has been inserted into the mollusk to generate the
pearl. Most people think of cream or white when they think pearls, but
all sorts of colors are available from gray, through to yellow pink and
other pretty colors. A genuine pearl formed in nature takes many years
to produce and only a small percentage of mollusks that do produce
pearls have the final product the size and shape needed for jewelry.
As with all gemstones, the pearls have metaphysical and folklore tales
attached to it. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the
hardened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she
was born from the sea. Old Arabian legends say that pearls were made
when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the moon and
then swallowed moonlit dew drops.
New age thinkers believe that pearls treat digestive disorders and
relieve conditions of bloating as well as increase fertility and eases
in the pain of childbirth.
July - Ruby
Photo courtesy of quillcottage.blogspot.com
Rubies are considered both the traditional and modern birthstone for those
born in July. It is considered to be the stone of the Zodiac sign of
Capricorn, and is often given as a gift for the 40th anniversary.
The history of Ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago. Rubies are
found throughout the world and have been mined in most areas, but Burma is
considered the area for obtaining the most valuable and highest quality
rubies with deep red colors. The most important deposits are found in
Myanmar, which is near Mogok in Burma. Although many rubies are mined, only
1% is of gem quality.
In a metaphysical sense, two magical elements are associated with red
rubies: fire and blood, and they imply warmth and life for mankind. It is
considered by many to be the gemstone which signifies everlasting love.
Ancient legends state that one should not make faces at a ruby in a museum
since this will make it grow dull. Ancient rulers even thought that a ruby
would darken when it sensed danger, only to return to its natural color when
the danger had passed. For healing purposes, rubies are said to be a general
health protection and a help for backache and toenail problems.
August - Peridot
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
The
birthstone for the month of August is considered to be the lovely green
gemstone, the peridot. Peridot is a semi-precious gemstone that is usually
found in wonderful hues of translucent greens. It is also considered the
gemstone for the 3rd and 16th anniversaries as well as the stone for the
Zodiac Sign Libra. This gemstones is one of the few that comes in basically
one color - green. There are varying shades from yellow green through to
brownish green. The most valuable color is a dark olive green.
As with all gemstones, Peridot has some specific healing powers attributed
to it. It is said to clear the heart chakra. It strengthens breathing,
promotes prosperity, growth, and openness. It was used by Egyptians, Aztecs,
and Incas to gently cleanse and heal the physical heart. Yellower gems also
aid in problems of the stomach, liver and adrenal glands. Peridot helps
wearers understand relationships, and other realities, alleviates
depression, anger, fear, jealousy and anxiety.
The largest cut peridot weighs 310 carats and was found in the island of
Zabargad in Egypt. It is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, D.C., keeping company with the Hope diamond.
September - Sapphire
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
The sapphire is considered the modern and
traditional birthstone for the month of September. It is also given as gifts
for the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversary. The word sapphire comes
from the Greek word "sappheiros" which means precious stone. It is highly
prized as gemstones. Sapphires have long been worn by priests, who associate
the stone with purity, and also kings who thought that they symbolized
wisdom. They have been used in Vintage and Antique jewelry since early
times.
Sapphires are a member of the corundum family, as are rubies. All colors of
corundum other than red are considered sapphires, but colors other than blue
are called "fancy sapphires." The most prized color is cornflower blue.
Metaphysical qualities associated with sapphires are that they enable the
wearer with clairvoyance and insight. The healing properties associated with
the gem are that it is effective for health problems relating to hearing
problems, cancer and burns. It also is supposed to lower fevers and aid in
inflammation.
The largest sapphire in the world was discovered in 1995 in Burma and is
called The Millennium Sapphire. It is a massive 61,500 carats and is
exhibited world wide.
October - Opal
©2007 Vintage Jewelry Lane
The
opal is considered the birthstone for the month of October. The opal is also
the gemstone for the 13th wedding anniversary. The opal has often been
called the "Queen of Gemstones." It takes its name from the Latin word
upala, which means precious stone. This stunning gemstone has flashes of
rainbow-like colors when it is viewed from different angles. This color
combination is created by silica spheres which are contained within the
opal.
Opals have been mined in various locations around the world but, by far, the
largest deposits have been found in Australia - with 95% of the world's
opals originating there. Other sources of mines include Mexico, Africa, the
US, Brazil, parts of the old Soviet Union and a few other areas in South
America.
There are many metaphysical properties associated with opals. For centuries,
people have believed in the healing power of opals. They are thought to help
with depression and to enable the wearer to find true love and happiness.
Some believe that they enhance the positive qualities of those born under
the signs of Cancer, Aries and Scorpio.
November - Topaz
Photo courtesy of ebay seller BangkokGemMart
The traditional birthstone for November is the
topaz. (Citrine is also considered a gemstone for November.) Topaz is also
the birthstone for the zodiac sign Scorpio and the gemstone for the 16th
wedding anniversary.
Topaz is a very durable and hard gemstone. It is rated 8 on the
Mohs scale of hardness and is quite resistant to
scratching. It is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest
minerals in nature.
As with other gemstones, Topaz has mystical properties associated with it.
It has long been attributed with gentleness, integrity and fidelity and it
thought to bring wearers love, wealth and protection. In a physical sense,
topaz is thought to aid with poor appetite, gout, blood disorders,
hemorrhages, and diseases of the endocrine system.
December - Turquoise
©2007 Vintage Jewelry Lane
Turquoise gemstones come in a wide range of natural colors and shades including
blue, green and yellow-green. It is considered the birthstone of the month of
December and the wedding anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 11th year of
marriage. It is also attributed to the Zodiac sign Sagittarius.
For centuries, the most valuable turquoise was considered as originating in Iran
(Persia). Areas of the Southwestern United States now compete with this
honor."Persian Turquoise" is now generally used to refer to any turquoise stone
that does not have the black or brown veining commonly found in turquoise mined
in the United States and used in a style of jewelry created by the American
Indians. The Aztecs mined turquoise and a significant amount of turquoise comes
from New Mexico, California, Nevada and Arizona.
Turquoise has long been appreciated as a holy stone, a good-luck-charm or a
mystical talisman. It is believed to promote good fortune, happiness, and long
life.
December Ode to The gemstone Turquoise:
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue
Success will bless whate'er you do.
All of this information has been compiled from my research into the subject and is offered without warranty from vintagejewelrylane.com.
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