Gemstones have various meanings and associations according to their type and the month. The garnet, representing constancy and cheerfulness, was used as a charm against disease in the Middle Ages. The amethyst, meaning sincerity, was considered fortunate for lovers, businessmen and hunters as it calms fears and cures diseases. The bloodstone, symbolizing courage, was thought to protect from disease and accidents. The diamond, purity, was the most powerful against evil according to ancient beliefs. Emeralds, representing hope, were believed to be good for eyes and would fade if love between lovers faded. Pearls were thought to bring tears to marriage but were fortunate for those born under water signs.

1. GEMSTONES

2. garnet гранат
constancy постоянство
amethyst аметист
sincerity искренность
bloodstone гелиотроп
courage мужество
diamond алмаз, бриллиант
purity чистота
emerald изумруд
agate агат
pearl жемчуг
ruby рубин
contentment удовлетворенность
sardonyx сардоникс
fidelity верность
sapphire сапфир
repentance раскаяние
opal опал
loveableness привлекательность
topaz топаз
cheerfulness хорошее настроение, радость
turquoise бирюза
unselfishness бескорыстность
superstition суеверие, предрассудок
engagement ring обручальное кольцо

3. to contain содержать
fortunate счастливый, удачливый
charm талисман, амулет
disease болезнь
ancient человек античного мира, древний грек, древний
римлянин
to calm успокаивать
to cure исцелять
drunkenness пьянство
to protect защищать, охранять
accident несчастный случай
Roman римлянин
cruel жестокий
emperor император
to pale бледнеть
to grow dull тускнеть
to fade увядать, угасать
bite укус
relief облегчение
to dedicate посвящать
misfortune несчастье
sparkle блеск, сверкание
traitor предатель

4. Gemstones can be lucky and
unlucky. They have
associations with each month
of the year and have special
meanings.

5. January — Garnet (Constancy)
The garnet means constancy and
cheerfulness.
In the Middle Ages it was a
charm against all diseases.

6. February — Amethyst (Sincerity)
According to the ancients, the
amethyst is fortunate for lovers,
businessmen, sportsmen and hunters.
It calms fears, cures many diseases
and is a talisman against
drunkenness.

7. March — Bloodstone (Courage)
The bloodstone is not a very pretty
stone for a girl to wear, but it is
said to protect from diseases and
accidents.

8. April – Dimond (Purity)
The diamond is the most popular
of all gems. It symbolises courage
in the man and pride in the woman.
The ancients taught that the
diamond was the most powerfu1 of
all gems against the powers of evil.
They also believed that it lost its
sparkle if touched or worn by a
traitor's hand.

9. May — Emerald (Hope)
The Romans believed that the
emerald was good for the eyes, and
their cruel Emperor Nero wore
emerald eyeglasses.
Legend says that if given by one
lover to another it will pale and
grow dull, when love fades between
them.

10. June — Agate or Pearl (Health)
The agate brings good luck in making
and keeping friends.
In ancient Rome it was the most
fortunate of all stones.

11. June — Agate or Pearl (Health)
There is a superstition that an
engagement ring containing pearls
will 'bring tears to the marriage'.
But it's fortunate to those who
were born under a 'Watery sign'.

12. July — Ruby (Contentment)
There is a superstition that the ruby
changes its colour when the person
who wears it is in danger.

13. August — Sardonyx (Fidelity)
The sardonix is powerfu against
the bites of snakes.
If i is hung round the neck, it wil
bring relief from any pain.

14. September — Sapphire
(Repentance)
The sapphire is lucky to lovers and
engaged couples.

15. October —Opal (Loveableness)
According to tradition, the
unluckiest stone of all is the opal.
It is often called 'the stone of
tears'.
But it will bring good luck to those
who were born in October.

16. November — Topaz
(Cheerfulness)
The topaz is a good luck stone.
It means both money and friends.

17. December — Turquoise
(Unselfishness)
The blue colour of the turquoise
dedicates this stone to Venus, so
it is the talisman of lovers and
married people.
The stone protects from danger
and misfortune.
It can change its colour if the
person who wears it is in danger.