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Birthstones and Lore of Gemstones

TamaraVoetsch • Mar 26, 2018

There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and their therapeutic influence. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. For the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve and alternate them monthly.


January
window reflection earrings garnet
January birthstone is garnet and thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. It was also used as a talisman for protection both by warriors going into battle and to those who wanted to ward off pestilence and plague. Some ancient healers and wise men even placed garnets in wounds and praised its healing powers.

February birthstone is Amethyst and is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. Leonard da Vinci once said that amethyst helps to quicken intelligence and get rid of evil thoughts. Other qualities like peace, stability, courage and strength are said to be derived from this gemstone.

March Aquamarine was thought to cure heart, liver, and stomach diseases—all one had to do was drink the water in which the gem had been soaking.  aquamarine pendant

 

 

 

 

April Diamond diamond, in addition to being a symbol of everlasting love, was once thought to bring courage.

 

May Emerald It has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love.


June   Moonstone often associated with love, passion, and fertility, it is a crystal to nurture new love and rekindle old flames. Also known as the Traveler’s Stone, it can protect travelers at night.18k gold south sea golden tahitian pearl diamond ring

June Pearl  has long been a symbol of purity. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy from Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

June Alexandrite; According to legend, this gemstone was named for Alexander II because it was discovered on the future czar’s birthday in 1834. Because alexandrite’s red and green hues matched Russia’s military colors, it became the official gemstone of Imperial Russia’s Tsardom.


July Ruby was regarded by ancient Hindus as the “king of gems.” It was believed to protect its wearer from evil.

August Peridot symbolizes strength. It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color.

September Sapphire was once thought to guard against evil and poisoning.


October Tourmaline Egyptian legend tells that tourmaline found its famed array of colors when, on its journey up from the earth’s center, it passed through a rainbow.

October Opal  According to Arabic legend, opals fell from the sky in bolts of lightning. Australian aborigines, meanwhile, believed that the creator came to earth on a rainbow, leaving these colorful stones where his feet touched the ground.

 

November Topaz symbolizes love and affection. It is believed to give the wearer increased strength and intellect.18k gold Octave Reflection blue Zircon pendant

December Zircon  is considered a grounding stone that increases confidence and compassion.

 

December Tanzanite; Tiffany & Co. recognized this blue gem’s potential to rival more expensive sapphire, and agreed to become its main distributor. Instead of publicizing “blue zoisite” – which sounded a little too much like “suicide” – Tiffany named the gem tanzanite to highlight its exclusive geographic origin, and introduced it with a promotional campaign in 1968.

Courtesy of American Gem Society    americangemsociety.org

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