Month
|
Gemstone
|
Description
|
Healing Properties*
|
Color
|
Hardness
Mohs Scale
|
January
|
Garnet
|
Garnets as gemstones can be traced
back to prehistoric times.
Traditionally, a garnet signifies
lasting friendship and trust. Garnets
are minerals that come in many
colors. Main sources of garnets are
India, Madagascar, Russia, Australia,
Sri Lanka and the U.S.
|
Garnets are said to be good for
balancing the physical and
ethereal bodies, repelling
negativity, and guards against
depression and melancholy.
|
dark red
|
6.5 – 7.5
|
February
|
Amethyst
|
Amethysts were worn throughout
history to aid in quick thinking. They
are associated with many cultures,
myths and legends. Amethyst is
purple quartz that is found all over
the world and in sizes from small to
huge. Most amethysts used in jewelry
is heated to enhance it's color. Brazil,
Uruguay and Zambia are major
sources.
|
Amethysts is said to strengthen
the endocrine and immune
systems, balance emotional
highs and lows and to purify
healing and spiritual energies. It
is said to be good for insomnia,
headaches and hangovers.
|
purple
|
7
|
March
|
Aquamarine
|
Aquamarine is derived from the Latin
word "aqua" (water) and "marina"
(the sea). It was believed to protect
sea travelers. Aquamarine is beryl in
shades from blue-green to blue. Main
sources are Brazil, Zambia,
Madagascar and Nigeria.
|
The aquamarine is said to be
soothing to help relieve
anxieties and help give insight
and perception when dealing
with people and relaxation on
journeys.
|
Pale blue
|
7.5
|
April
|
Diamond
|
At the top of the Mohs hardness
scale at a 10, diamond is the hardest
of all gemstones. They are colorless
and appear in rarer "fancy" colors.
Major sources of diamonds include
South Africa and Australia.
|
The diamond symbolizes peace,
innocence and serenity. Some
believe diamonds can draw out
toxicity, brings confidence, and
guards against brain diseases.
|
Colorless
|
10
|
May
|
Emerald
|
The emerald is beryl with medium to
medium dark green coloring. They
symbolize rebirth, and were mined in
Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Emeralds
are mined in Colombia, Brazil,
Zambia and Russia.
|
Emeralds are associated with
alleviating mental illness,
enhancing memory, increasing
psychic abilities and eliminating
negativity. They are said to
bring harmony to all aspects of
life.
|
Bright green
pale green
|
7.5
|
June
|
Pearl
|
Pearls have been used for
adornment for centuries. They are
unique in that they are the only gems
that come from living sea creatures
and usually have not been altered
with polishing or cutting. Natural
pearls are nearly impossible to find
these days; cultured pearls have
taken their place. Not minerals in
origin, so they are not on the Mohs
scale of hardness.
|
Some believe that pearls
protect against fire, and ward
off evil. Ruled by the moon,
pearls let you see the good
parts of yourself to better allow
you to love and be loved. An
emotional balancer, pearls help
aid in stomach, spleen, and
intestinal problems.
|
Cream
|
n/a
|
July
|
Ruby
|
A ruby is red corundum (other colors
of corundum are called sapphires).
Rubies are said to arouse the senses
and stir the imagination. They are
harder than any natural gemstone
except diamond, making it perfect as
a gemstone in jewelry. High quality
rubies come from Myanmar (Burma)
although Kenya, Pakistan, Vietnam,
Thailand and Madagascar are also
sources.
|
Rubies are said to bestow
happiness, peace of mind,
stimulate sexuality, and bring
health and good luck. Some
believe that rubies promote
loving, nurturing, wealth and
protection.
|
Red
|
9
|
August
|
Peridot
|
Peridot, or chrysolite, varies in
shades of light green and are said to
have magical powers to protect
against nightmares and bring power
and influence to the wearer. Some
historians suspect that some of the
"emeralds" worn by Cleopatra were
actually peridot. Peridot is brought to
the surface of the earth by
volcanoes, so in Hawaii, the stone
symbolizes the tears of Pele
(goddess of fire). Major sources are
Arizona, Pakistan, Burma, and China.
|
Peridot was used by ancient
Egyptians to cleanse and heal
the heart, stomach, and liver.
They are said to help one better
understand relationships and
alleviate depression, anger,
jealousy and fear. Some believe
it fosters emotional balance,
and helps physical detoxification.
|
pale green
|
6.5
|
September
|
Sapphire
|
Sapphires symbolize peace, sincerity
and faithfulness and has been
popular since the Middle Ages for
adornment. They are said to protect
you from envy and harm. They range
in shades, although the blue
corundum is the color most
associated with sapphires. Ruby is
the red variety of corundum,
|
Sapphires are said to bring
happiness, contentment and
protect against misfortune and
fraud. Star sapphires were once
regarded as a very powerful
talisman, a guiding star of sorts
for travelers. They were said to
continue to protect the wearer
even after being passed on to
someone else. Some believe
sapphires bring fulfillment, joy,
inner peace and beauty to
one's life.
|
blue
|
9
|
October
|
Opal and Pink
Tourmaline
|
October is the month for two
traditional birthstones. The term opal
derives from the Greek Opallos,
meaning "to see a change." It has
long been a valued gemstone with a
wide range of colors. A phenomenon
called "color play" distinguishes opals
from other gems. It is somewhat
fragile. Major sources are Australia,
Mexico, Brazil and the U.S.
Tourmaline is available in many
colors. Legend has it that the
tourmaline, on its journey up from the
center of the Earth, passed over a
rainbow and took on the rainbow's
colors. It is still called the "gemstone
of the rainbow" today. Tourmaline
can also display two or three colors
in the same stone. Tourmaline comes
from many countries including the
U.S., Brazil, Afghanistan, Africa. The
pink tourmaline is the October
birthstone.
|
Early Greeks believed opals
gave powers of foresight and
prophecy. They are said to
dispel fear and negativity, and
used as an aid to concentration
and to calm nerves. Opals are
used to provide a clearer
understanding of oneself, and
sharpen clairvoyant and healing
powers. Black opals are
considered especially lucky.
|
Variegated
|
6, 7.5
|
November
|
Yellow Topaz
|
Topaz is another gem that comes in
a variety of colors. It is brilliant and
durable and commonly heat treated.
Historically topaz was associated with
the color yellow, and the term
"precious topaz" is used for gems
that show an intense orange to
reddish color. Egyptians believed
topaz guarded one from harm. The
major source for yellow topaz is Brazil.
|
Topaz it is said can dispel
enchantment and improve
eyesight. Ancient Greeks
believed it had the power to
increase strength and make you
invisible. They believed it could
cure insomnia, asthma, and
hemorrhages. The topaz is
attributed with a cooling, styptic
effect.
|
Yellow
|
8
|
December
|
Turquoise
|
Turquoise is one of the oldest known
stones. It is an opaque blue to blue
green gem. Long associated in the
U.S. with Native American silver
jewelry, sources actually include
Mexico, Iran and the U.S. It is
somewhat fragile and often imitated.
|
It is said that turquoise is a very
spiritual stone that enables you
to see more clearly and is
beneficial for the whole body,
giving strength and protection
especially for the respiratory
and immune systems. Some
people believe it relieves regret,
develops inner strength and
enhances communication and
creativity.
|
sky blue to
blue-green
|
6
|
