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
|
