2. Birth Stones
Welcome to the mysterious world of gemstones!
Vivid in colour, cut and polished to perfection, they are
invaluable in embellishing jewellery.
Did you know they can exert powers for well-being, health
and protection? Each gemstone is assigned as a birthstone
to those born in a particular month.
3. Birth Stone – Amethyst
The word Amethyst comes from the Greek word ‘amethystos’ which
means ‘not drunk’. Its hues range from lilac to a rich purple, and is
very affordable. The best amethyst is deep purple in colour and
without flaws.
Amethysts are long prismatic crystals, shaped like six sided pyramids.
They symbolize sincerity and are used as healing stones to strengthen
the immune system, purify the blood, prevent drunkenness and heal
mental disorders.
Amethyst is the birthstone for those born in February.
Birth Stone - Garnet
The word garnet comes from ‘granatum’ or pomegranate, since the
stones look similar to the seeds of the fruit. Garnets occur in colours
ranging from orange to deep red and can also be found in shades of
green.
Extremely affordable, they are believed to have magical properties
like protecting the wearer from evil dreams, providing safety, love and
faithfulness. They are also known as healing stones,
Garnet is the birthstone for those born in January.
4. Birth Stone – Diamond
People are lucky to have diamonds as their birthstone.
Diamonds come in several hues, but the priceless ones are colourless.
The stone derives its name from the Greek word ‘adamas’ which
means indomitable or unbreakable. It symbolizes innocence, and is
known to render all poisons harmless, drive away nightmares, and
heal the mentally ill.
Diamond is the birthstone for those born in April.
Birth Stone - Aquamarine
This blue-green stone derives its name from the Latin word for
‘resembling sea water’. The sailors used it as their talisman for
protection while sailing on the high seas.
Its watery blue colour is known to induce calm, courage and inner
peace., sometimes it is treated with heat to improve its colour.
Its value and strength however, remain undimished.
Aquamarine is the birthstone for those born in March.
5. Birth Stone - Pearl
Iridescent sea or fresh water pearls are for those born in June.
They are attributed to the goddess Venus, as a symbol of her
innocence, and symbolize health and longevity.
Found in shades of white and cream, pearl shapes range from the
perfect round to rice pearls and fancy baroque. Today there are more
cultured pearls available, than natural ones.
Pearl is the birthstone for those born in June.
Birth Stone - Emerald
A cousin of the Aquamarine, they are both from the beryl family of
stones. The birthstone for the May born, it signifies love, success and
fidelity. Deep green in colour, emeralds almost always have visible
inclusions and are fragile. Emeralds were worn by women to ease the
pain of childbirth, and they represent fertility. An emerald without
flaws is rare and priceless.
Emerald is the birthstone for those born in May.
6. Birth Stone - Peridot
The peridot is one of the few gemstones to occur in one color,
naturally – olive green. The intensity of the color depends on the
amount of iron in the crystal formation. The name of the gem is Old
French in origin, and is said to have been first mentioned in the will of
a bishop. Peridot is very often confused with the emerald, and is
sometimes called “the evening emerald.” It is said to symbolize
strength, and if set in gold, will protect the wearer from evil dreams.
Peridot is the birthstone for those born in August.
Birth Stone - Ruby
Those born in July consider the ruby as their birthstone. If flawless, a
ruby can be more valuable than a diamond.
Star rubies are domed stones (cabochon) that reflect an asterisk light
effect. They are associated with royalty, power, contentment, as well
as life and death. They strengthen the heart, negate poisons and
prevent loss of blood. Often found in areas rich in clay limestone, a
variety of rubies called ‘pigeons blood’ have a red fluorescence to
them.
Ruby is the birthstone for those born in July.
7. Birth Stone - Opal
The opal representing hope and innocence. The name "opal" can
mean “to see a change in color” and is derived from the Latin Opalus,
or stone. Most opals are white with iridescence, but they can be black
or even transparent with flecks of red or yellow. Opals are a gem
formed by non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices of
ancient rock. The almost three dimensional repeating patterns give an
opal its radiance.
Opal is the birthstone for those born in October.
Birth Stone - Sapphires
come in a variety of colors, but are mostly associated with blue hues.
A sapphire of another color, like pink, white or yellow, is generally
called a fancy sapphire. The blue sapphire represents peace and
serenity. It is seen many times in ancient religious writing to symbolize
purity, wisdom, loyalty and faith. The sapphire is a precious
gemstone, along with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.
Sapphires is the birthstone for those born in September.
8. Birth Stone - Topaz
can come in a variety of colors, but the prized Imperial Topaz, adored
by Russian Czars, is orange with pink undertones. Named for an
island, Topazos, in the Red Sea where the Romans found the gem, it
has come to symbolize consistency, faithfulness and friendship. Topaz
is thought to have healing properties to help breathing disorders, like
asthma and tuberculosis
Topaz is the birthstone for those born in November.
Birth Stone – Turquoise
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone. Poem reflects some of the
properties with which the Turquoise is associated - prosperity,
success, happiness and good fortune. The Traditional Metaphysical
Properties for the December Birthstone Turquoise are open
communication, protection against all diseases, regeneration, and
strengthening. The healing properties of the December birthstone are
reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the throat,
lungs, asthma, teeth, depression. and infection. The Turquoise is also
used to enhance creativity, serenity and spiritual bonding.
Turquoise is the birthstone for those born in December.
