December Birthstones

Many December babies, especially those who are born close to Christmas and Chanukah, often complain about their birthdays being swept under the rug. It is too easy to buy a combo gift for this person, during such a stressful time of the year.

Blue Topaz

Well, the same thing happens to the December birthstone. It totally gets shafted by Red and Green everywhere you look. I know it is blue, but it has been ignored for so long that it is difficult to find a consensus on what exactly is the December birthstone and the alternate. Normally I would give you some insight to the birthstone; its history and properties. But December has just too much going on.

Zircon

Turquoise (and friends)

Turquoise

The four stones involved are Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Turquoise. For most birthstones there are an accepted birthstone, and, maybe some argument over one or two alternates;  but there is very little agreement for December.  I believe it is all red and green's fault.

Yummy Tanzanite

So if you are a December baby, I say, go with what you like best. I pick Tanzanite. (but my birthday is in October).

April's Birsthone: The Mighty Diamond

Diamonds, The ultimate bling.

 

Diamond is the birthstone for April and is also associated with the Star Sign Aries.  Diamond Wedding Anniversaries celebrate both the 60th and 75th year of marriage. 

There is just something about a diamond that is compelling.  Why, above all other gemstones, does diamond have so much symbolism in our society?

Could it be because a diamond is unique? Like fingerprints, no two are exactly alike.

Diamonds are associated with Spirituality, Protection Courage and Peace.  Diamonds are also associated with fidelity. Like the saying, "Diamonds are Forever".  In ancient times diamonds were worn as polished stones, and also often used in magic rituals and to aid meditation and spirituality. To ensure the wearer luck it is believed diamonds are at their best when faceted into a six sided cut.

The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word for unbreakable, " adámas ".

 I have several diamond pieces in my jewelry collection. Ok, so, they are Herkimer Diamonds. These are double-terminated quartz crystals that were first discovered in Upstate New York.  Diamonds are a little out of my budget, but crystals and White Topaz are not.

 Let's take a fun little look at some diamond jewelry from Etsy.com and some clear sparkley jewelry too.

Thanks for having a little fun with me today.

March Birthstone

From the light blue of the sky to the deep blue of the sea, aquamarines shine over an extraordinarily beautiful range of mainly light blue colours. Aquamarine is a fascinatingly beautiful gemstone. It is loved for its fine blue shades which can complement almost any skin or eye color.

 

Its light blue arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Good feelings. Feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships. 

The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal colour, because it is the colour of the sky. However, aquamarine blue is also the colour of water with its life-giving force. And aquamarine really does seem to have captured the lucid blue of the oceans. No wonder, when you consider that according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone.

Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea). It is said that its strengths are developed to their best advantage when it is placed in water which is bathed in sunlight. However, it is surely better still to wear aquamarine, since according to the old traditions this promises a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth into the bargain. An ideal gem, not only for loving and married couples.

Aquamarine is one of our most popular and best-known gemstones, and distinguishes itself by many good qualities. It is almost as popular as the classics: ruby, sapphire and emerald. In fact it is related to the emerald, both belonging to the beryl family. The colour of aquamarine, however, is usually more even than that of the emerald. Much more often than its famous green cousin, aquamarine is almost entirely free of inclusions. Aquamarine has good hardness (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale) and a wonderful shine. That hardness makes it very tough and protects it to a large extent from scratches. 

Iron is the substance which gives aquamarine its colour, a colour which ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the colour of an aquamarine, the more value is put on it. Some aquamarines have a light, greenish shimmer; that too is a typical feature. However, it is a pure, clear blue that continues to epitomise the aquamarine, because it brings out so well the immaculate transparency and magnificent shine of this gemstone.

For more gemstone info. I always turn to www.gemstone.org

Coming Soon...

Check back for a feature post on lucky March baby's spectacular birthstone, aquamarine.

Amethyst: February's Birthstone

 

If it was good enough for Cleopatra…

It’s said that the signet ring worn by Cleopatra was an amethyst. It is also thought to be the favorite  stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid.

Amethyst was used in France as a decorative stone as far as 25,000 years ago.  It has been found among the remains of Neolithic man, (9500BC, the “New” Stoneage). And the ancient Greeks believed that this gemstone held many powers, among them protection against intoxication. In fact, the word Amethyst comes from the Greek word "amethystos," meaning sober.

 Amethyst is the purple variety of the mineral quartz. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust. (The Feldspar group being the most prevalent). 

Once considered more valuable than diamonds, Amethyst is found in Brazil, Canada, Australia, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka; and in the United States. Were it not for its widespread availability, amethyst would be very expensive

Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades from a faint mauve to a rich purple. It is unparalleled in beauty, even among more expensive purple gemstones.

Heat can transform an amethyst into a naturally rare mineral called citrine. In addition, even without heating, the violet color of an amethyst may fade over time.

Amethyst and Citrine

 A gift of amethyst is a lovely idea.

Amethyst is associated with spirituality, wisdom, sobriety, and security. According to old legend and general beliefs worldwide,  amethyst is considered to make the wearer calm and in control of his various emotional levels.  The gift of Amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty. Many believe it strengthens the bond in a love relationship, so it is an ideal anniversary or engagement gem

 Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment and if you follow my blog you will really make my day!

Norah

All About Amethyst

Coming soon,

All about Amethyst, The birthstone for February babies

January's Deep Red Garnet

The name "garnet" is derived from the Latin "granatum" meaning grain or seed  because the crystals resemble the succulent red color and seed-like form of the pomegranate.

One of the few gemstones that are the same in both the Modern Birthstone and Traditional Birthstone charts.

The Traditional birthstone list shows some societal birthstone traditions, many going back to the 15th century. While the Modern Birthstone chart is the official birthstone list from the American National Association of Jewelers. These birthstones were officially adopted in 1912.-

Looking at Zodiac Birthstones we would need to examine Capricorn Birthstones (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) which are Ruby, Agate, Garnet, and Black Onyx

and         

Aquarius Birthstones (Jan. 21-Feb. 20) which are  Garnet, Amethyst, Moss Agate, Opal, and Sugilite

Archeologists have found  garnet jewelry from Egypt and Sumeria dating as far back as 3100 BC.

It is often mistakenly thought that all garnet stones are red. Red garnets are the most common, but garnet comes in a wide variety of colors ranging from black, green, clear,  and numerous shades of red.  As in all gemstones, the variety of colors is due to metal impurities such as iron, aluminum and manganese. Green garnets are the most rare and therefore highly prized. Emerald green and colorless garnet are next rarest, followed by pure red garnets.

• Medieval warriors  believed that garnet protected them against wounds, and brought victory.

• Many Native American tribes used garnet in jewelry and to decorate shields, dreamcatchers and other things. They believed that garnet had strong medicinal powers and would protect its wearer against poisons and wounds.

• Chinese and Japanese warriors made bullets out of garnet because they believed that these would inflict more damage on their intended victims.

At different points in history  Garnet  was also believed by some to help cure depression and to prevent nightmares. Red garnet in particular was believed to break a fever, stop bleeding and to reduce inflammation. Garnet has also been said to symbolize happiness as well as deep and enduring love and friendships.

Today, a gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming. 

They can be found in many places around the world including the US, South America, Australia, India, Asia and Spain. Most often garnet can be found in small rocks in streams where the surrounding rock has been eroded away.

    

Who do you know with a January birthday?

Thanks for reading.

Norah

Birthstones: a New Monthly Feature

One new thing I will be bringing is  some fun knowledge into birthstones. I am excited about this because it will allow me to speak to the lore of gemstones, which I love. In addition, I will write about the meanings behind the colors and the history of birthstones. Did you know there are Modern Birthstone Charts, (which we are most familiar with), Traditional Charts, Ayurvedic and Mystical Birthstone charts, Zodiac sign birthstones and Biblestones.  The subject of birthstones  will also give me a little "in" to mention some of my favorite people's birthdays and maybe some fun trivia. Oh, and maybe I can sell a piece of jewelry here and there. Check back. First on the list for January: Garnet. Hint: It comes from the word for Pomegranate