Birthstones
Every month, various cultures have dedicated a specific gemstone for anyone born during that time. The gemstones are often said to possess the power to heal, increase latent qualities or dispel others. They are often said to calm the nerves of its wearer or bring good luck or prosperity. The stones, and their legends, have been around for centuries; but how did the tradition get started? Who were the first to associate a specific gemstone with a date of birth and why?
Historians have traced origins of this tradition through the writings of Josephus in the first century, and the fifth century, with the writings of St. Jerome. In both texts, they claim that there is a connection between the twelve months of the year, the twelve zodiac signs and the twelve stones of the high-priest's breastplate. "The Breastplate of Aaron", which predates Jesus Christ, is said to symbolize many things and is believed to be the foundation stones of New Jerusalem. Even though these ancient writings were discovered, historians say that there is no evidence of people wearing the birthstones until the eighteenth century in Poland.
According to old texts, the Polish people would wear the stones because of the therapeutic virtues attributed to them. During this time, they used the stone based on the virtues that they believed could cure their ailments and were not concerned with their specific birthstone. A long period of time would pass before cultures started wearing the birthstone that was dedicated to their month. Many believe that the wearing of and belief in birthstones evolved because of the influence of Jewish immigrants on Poland. The Jewish religion is known to hold the twelve gems of the breastplate in high regard and many of the wealthier Jews carried the stones around with them. Every month they would wear the corresponding gemstone that was dedicated to that month.
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The most popular garnets have a rich red hue but these gemstones can also be found in shades of yellow, orange, green, blue, purple and colorless. Historians believe that the name could have come from the Greek term "punica granatum" meaning pomegranate; which is a plant that has small red seeds that resemble garnets. Many cultures attribute these gemstones with the ability to turn negative energy into positive energy. It is often called the "stone of health" as it helps in healing issues with the heart, lungs, blood, bones and spine. Red garnets are often associated with love and their color has become synonymous with passionate emotions. There are several shades of garnet that have become so popular, they now have their own names as well. A fiery orange garnet is called "spessartite" is named after a site where some were found in Germany. These are often called mandarin garnets. One of the most popular green garnets is called "tsavorite". This green beauty got its name from the park where it was discovered in Tanzania at the Tsvao National Park. Garnets are found in several African countries as well as India, Russia and Central and South America. |
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Amethysts are considered the most valuable members of the quartz family. Their violet hue has captured the hearts of many, making it the most popular selling gemstone in the United States. Many ancient cultures believed that amethysts were a symbol of God and were often worn during religious ceremonies. Historians have traced an amethyst connection to a large number of miraculous occurrences in various cultures. Some believed that the amethyst gave it's owner extraordinary powers of intellect and created synergy between the emotional, mental and physical states. It is also said to have a positive affect on it's owners entire immune system, but specifically helps deal with headaches, insomnia and hearing problems.
Their popularity can be attributed to not only their beauty, but their affordability as well. Amethysts used to be very expensive, until large deposits of it were found throughout the world. Some of the largest deposits of amethysts are found in Brazil, Uruguay and Madagascar respectively. It was the massive deposits in South America that brought down the price of the amethyst. The largest amethyst ever found was discovered in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul. It measured a whopping 33 by 16 by 10 feet and weighed an estimated 8,000 kilograms. |
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Aquamarine means "water of the sea" and anyone can see that these gemstones capture the essence of tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea. A member of the beryl family, an aquamarine's hues can range from a sky blue to a greenish blue. According to legends, aquamarine has the power to calm the waves of the sea. Sailors would wear amulets made of the gemstone to protect themselves on long voyages. It's tranquil effect on the environment around it is also said to be helpful with relationships. Aquamarine make great anniversary gifts because they are said to help quell negative energy and turn it into positive energy; ultimately helping couples deal with one another in a more calm manner. The majority of Aquamarine in the marketplace is a more pale hue but it is the darker color that is considered more valuable. For jewelry and gemstones experts, an aquamarine with a pure blue with no specks of green or grey is the best specimen. Aquamarine that have a tinge of green are often heated to remove the yellow component in the gemstone's color. Because of it's association with peace and tranquility, aquamarine is often known as the calming stone. |
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Diamonds are the most popular gemstones in the world. Their beauty has been hailed by many cultures for centuries. It's name is derived from the Greek word "adamas" which means unbreakable. "Adamas" is derived from the root word for the term "adamant" which referred to an extraordinary hard metal. Historians believe that diamonds were first mined in India, during a time when many of the gemstones adorned the likenesses of the ancient gods and goddesses. Mystical powers have been attributed to diamonds since their discovery. Ancient Romans believed that diamonds were the by-product of fallen stars while the ancient Greeks thought they were tears of the gods on Mt. Olympus. Are you curious about how popular diamonds are? Every year, almost 130 million carats are mined with a total value of $9 billion. Even cubic zirconia, a simulated diamond, is increasing in popularity. Nearly 220,000 pounds are made each year. Traditionally, the less color a diamond has the more value it has. Now, the even rarer fancy colored diamonds are becoming in vogue. Jewelers are making beautiful jewelry out of canary yellow, pale blue and pink diamonds. |
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Emeralds are dazzling gemstones that have a pale to dark green hue. They look gorgeous in jewelry pieces because of their rich color and are great for everyday wear because of their durability. The term emerald comes from the Greek word "smaragdos", derived from the Sanskrit term "markata" which means emerald or green. This radiant gem has been hailed as a powerful stone from cultures all over the world for centuries. In South America, the ancient Incas and Aztecs regarded the emerald as a holy stone. The ancient Indians wrote about emeralds in their Vedas, or holy scripture, referring to them as stones of good luck and enhancers of well being. Emeralds, along with other colored gemstones, are judged by the four c's: color, cut, clarity and crystal. For an emerald to be considered high quality, it must have exceptional color and transparency. Typically, emeralds tend to have a lot of inclusions and fissures, so a stone without any of these is considered flawless. One of the largest emeralds ever found was unearthed around 1695. The "Mogul Emerald" weighs approximately 217.80 carats and features floral ornaments and prayer scrolls engraved on each side. This remarkable emerald was sold to an unidentified collector by Christie's of London for $2.2 million. |
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This extremely rare gemstone was named after the Russian tsar Alexander II, after the first crystals were unearthed in 1834 the emerald mines near Russia's Tokovaya River near the Ural Mountains. Alexandrite became the signature stone of Russia because it radiantly displayed the colors red and green, which were significant colors in Imperial Russia. The play on colors is what makes this gemstone so rare. Alexandrite has the ability to change colors. In the daylight, it is a greenish-blue color and it night time it turns a shade of purplish-red. Alexandrite is considered be a good omen for whomever finds the stone or owns it. Some cultures believe that it increases it's owners intuition, fosters creativity and helps one create a positive pathway to a conclusion when facing a difficult decision. The best specimens of alexandrite are still being found in the Ural Mountains and can weigh up to five carats. However, there are some large alexandrite stones that have been unearthed weighing 30 carats. |
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The ruby's rich red color has captured the hearts of a myriad of cultures for centuries. At one point, a ruby was considered the most valuable gemstone in the world. India has long been regarded as the place where rubies were discovered. Historians have traced the name ruby to a Sanskrit term "ratnaraj" meaning "king of the gems". In ancient India, whenever an extraordinary ruby was unearthed in the mines, it was immediately sent to the high ranking officials for inspection. Ultimately, these gems would end up in royal households. Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones in the world, along with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. These gemstones rose to stardom among the ancients because of their extraordinary color, brilliance and durability. Rubies are second in hardness behind the diamond, which is considered to be the hardest gemstone on this Earth. A ruby consists of aluminum oxide, chrome and other trace elements depending on where it was formed. It is the chrome element that gives the ruby its fiery color. Although these gems are rare, a star ruby is even more scarce. A star ruby is formed when the mineral rutile helps form a star-shaped deposit in the ruby, also called an asterism. When these rubies are cut into a cabochon shape, a six-point star emerges across the surface of the stone. |
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Peridot is one of the few gemstones of the world that come in one color, olive green with just a hint of gold. The word peridot comes from the Greek word "peridona" which means to give richness. Historians have traced the first use of this gemstone to the ancient Egyptians. They used peridot to adorn their jewelry as far back as the 2nd millennium B.C. The ancient Romans were so fond of peridot they called it the "emerald of the evening". Peridot is said to bring it's owner peace, success and good luck. Although the stone was popular with many ancient civilizations, it faded into oblivion until the mid-1990's when one of the richest deposits of Peridot was discovered in Pakistan. Peridot is found in mafic rocks, ultramafic rocks, lava and is the only gemstone known to man that can be found in meteorites. At an auction in 2008, a Pallasite Meteorite containing peridot crystals was listed at $3 million. They are a fairly tough stone, ranking a 6 to 6.5 on the Moh's scale of hardness. Peridots are great for everyday wear and do not require much upkeep, but these gemstones are not easy for jewelers to work with. The crystals are easily cracked and contain tricky inclusions. However, their affordable price in comparison to emerald and their striking color makes them a formidable force in the world of gemstones. |
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The rich, velvety color of sapphire has long been the subject of adoration and mystery for centuries. Sapphires are a type of corundum, one of the hardest minerals in the world behind the diamond, and is related to the ruby. The finest sapphires must contain no more than 15 percent of a violet or purple hue and at least 85 percent of a blue hue. Many cultures have associated the color blue with heart-felt emotions that signify a long duration of time. Loyalty, everlasting love and life-long friendship are all qualities that have been attached to the sapphire. Some cultures believed the sapphire protected it's owner from jealousy and attracted divine favor. Although, blue is the most common variety of sapphire in the marketplace, this mysterious gemstone comes in other fascinating colors. Fancy sapphires are the term for varieties of the gemstone that are not blue, such as pink, yellow, orange and purple. The "Paparadscha Sapphire" is a fiery orange color with a pink undertone and its name is derived from the Sinhalese term for lotus blossom. Like it's sister stone the ruby, sapphires containing a rutile deposit can form an six-pointed star in the center called an asterism. When cut into a cabochon shape, the asterism seems to glide across the surface creating what jewelry experts call a star sapphire. The Star India is the largest known star sapphire known to man. The 182-carat gemstone is on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. |
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Opals are hailed for their iridescent hues and ability for some varieties to seem like they are changing colors right before your eyes. These silky gems are found in the fissures of rocks such as sandstone, limonite and rhyolite. They are not rocks nor crystals, but a hardened form of a mineraloid gel. They are somewhat soft, ranking a 6 to 6.5 on the Moh's scale of hardness and can contain up to twenty percent of water. It's colors can range in a myriad of colors such white, yellow, green, grey, red, orange and black to name a few. White and green opals tend to be the most common and red against black are the most rare. Opals that are considered to be "fine" are the ones that can change color, or what experts call "opalizing". Historians believe the term opal comes from a Greek term "opallios" that is a derivative of a Sanskrit term "upala" which simply means stone. Ancient Romans referred to opals as "opalus" which meant a stone of several elements. They were clearly referring to the opals ability to change colors. The striking array of vibrant colors led some ancient cultures to believe that opals gave it's owner the ability to be able to consider all possibilities. What causes this magnificent play on colors? A group of Australian scientists analyzed opals and discovered that silica gel is what causes the refraction and interference appearances, which are responsible for the change of colors. Australia happens to be home to over 95 percent of the world's finest opals. |
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Topaz are fascinating gemstones that come an a wide array of colors such as yellow, light blue, green, red, pink and colorless. The most commonly found topaz is yellow; however the most popular color is light blue, also known as sky blue topaz. These gemstones are not only popular because of the myriad of colors available but also their durability. Topaz rank an 8 on the Moh's scale of hardness making it extremely tough as well a widely used gemstone for jewelers. Although there are several theories surrounding where the term topaz came form, some historians believe that it is derived from the Sanskrit word "tapas" meaning fire. Several cultures have attached mystical properties to topaz. It is said to bring it's owner strength, wisdom and courage. Ancient cultures used to carve falcons out of topaz and give them to members of royalty in an effort to get in their favor. Topaz is also believed to help quell anger, dispel sadness and insomnia. |
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High quality turquoise has been a valuable gemstone for thousands of years. The word "turquoise" is derived from the 16th century French term "turquois" which meant Turkish. The French named the stone after the Turkish because they used to sell turquoise at the bazaars to Italian merchants who then brought it to Europe. The name may have been coined by the French, but evidence of its use has been discovered as far back as 3,000 B.C by the ancient Egyptians. Many believed that turquoise gave its owner a "shield of protection". Ancient Persian and Arab cultures would wear it in their turbans to protect themselves from the evil eye. In North Americans, the Native Americans still believe that turquoise is the embodiment of the connection between the sky and the sea. Turquoise is one of the softer gemstones, ranking a 6 on the Moh's scale of hardness. Because of their softness, turquoise is often treated with wax and then hardened to make it more durable for everyday wear. It comes in hues of sky blue to a blue-green with an opaque transparency and a waxy luster. The finest turquoise must have a pristine blue color and may turn green when treated with heat. For the last 2,000 years, the finest turquoise specimens come from Iran. Turquoise can also be found in large quantities in Sinai, the United States, China, Australia, Afghanistan and Chile. |
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