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The name “garnet” comes from the Roman word “granatus” meaning “seed,”
as the gems were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds. When most
people think of this gem, they picture the dark red bohemian garnet
that was popular in Victorian times. You may be surprised to learn that
garnets are found in every colour except blue, including brilliant
green tsavorite garnet, raspberry pink rhodolite garnet, and orange
malaya garnet. Bright red “anthill” garnets are found in Arizona. The
Tsars of Russia favoured rare green damantoid garnets.
Legend holds that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for illumination.
It reportedly also gives its wearer guidance in the night, protection
from nightmares, and according to the Egyptians, is an antidote for
snakebites and food poisoning. Until the 18th century, garnets were
often worn by soldiers to heal wounds and stop blood flow, as red
stones were thought to influence the blood. They were also said to
promote true love, warn of danger by changing color, and protect the
wearer's home from fire and lightning.
Garnets are found in the U.S., Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India.
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FEBRUARY
AMETHYST
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Amethyst is a variety of quartz, and comes in pale lilac to rich, deep
purple shades. Ideally, it is a deep medium purple with rose-colored
flashes that give amethyst its beauty and fire.
The ancient Egyptians believed that amethyst could keep a person from
being poisoned and Greek folk legend held that it would prevent
intoxication. This sobering effect on the wearer was said to influence
those who were overexcited by love's passion as well. In medieval
times, amethyst was often placed under one's pillow to cure insomnia
and bring pleasant dreams.
It has symbolized peace, protection and tranquillity. Some say it will
prevent baldness and improve the complexion, as well as protect from
treason and deceit. Because royalty has always adored the colour
purple, amethysts abound in the ornaments of ancient Greeks and
Egyptians, and in the British Crown Jewels. It is found mainly in
Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia.
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The ideal colour of aquamarine is a refreshing pastel sea blue. Stones
with a clear blue colour without green or grey are generally the most
valuable. It is a member of the important beryl family, which also
includes emerald.
In ancient times, the stone was said to aid seafarers; thus it is an
excellent gift suggestion for sailors or one who takes frequent
cruises! Even today, many people who believe in the spiritual
properties of gemstones wear aquamarine to give them religious and
mental inspiration, provide inner calm and enhance both verbal and
written communication.
To dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends; to wear
aquamarine earrings brings love and affection. It is a universal symbol
of youth, hope and health.
Aquamarine is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and Ukraine.
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APRIL
DIAMOND
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“Diamond” comes from the Greek word “adamas” which means unconquerable
- suggesting the eternity of love. In fact, diamonds have been the
traditional symbol of love since ancient Greece.
Although diamonds are associated with being a colourless stone, they
are occasionally found with a strong, bright colour—green, red, pink,
blue, canary yellow and amber. These “fancy” coloured diamonds are
highly prized.
Discovered about 2,500 years ago in India, the ancients believed they
were splinters from stars, crystallized lightening or hardened
dewdrops. Most diamonds are over 100 million years old, and many are
over three billion years old, making diamonds the oldest of all
gemstones. They are also the hardest substance known to man, made of
carbon that is crystallized deep within the earth.
Diamonds are found in Australia, Russia, Botswana and South Africa.
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Emerald is one of the most highly-prized of all the gems. The name
comes from the Greek “smaragdos” which means green stone. The most
prized is pure grass green.
Emeralds are often characterized by a garden of included crystals
trapped within, known as the “jardin,” because under magnification you
will see all sorts of lovely patterns resembling foliage in a garden. A
flawless, clear emerald is very rare and is usually found in only small
sizes. The world's largest emerald, 7,052 carats was discovered in 1969
in Colombia.
According to legend, the wearing of emerald not only cured a wide range
of ailments, including low IQ, poor eyesight and infertility, but also
enabled the wearer to predict the future. They were mined near the Red
Sea during the time of Cleopatra, who wore her emeralds lavishly.
Emeralds are found mainly in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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JUNE
PEARL
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A pearl is the product of an oyster's defence mechanism. When a foreign
irritant is introduced either by man (cultured) or naturally, the
oyster immediately surrounds it with layers of a substance called
nacre. This forms the exquisite gemstone know as pearl.
Pearls come in a wide range of colours. They should be as perfectly
round as possible and relatively free from skin blemishes. The higher
the lustre, or “orient,” the more valuable the specimen. The larger the
pearl, the greater the value.
Ancient mythology connected the pearl to the moon because of its soft,
glowing appearance and the belief that pearls were teardrops from the
moon that fell into the sea. Ancient Chinese believed pearls had the
power to perpetuate eternal youth. Even to this day, pearls are often
ground up and used in Chinese cosmetics and serums to promote youthful
looking skin.
Pearls have been recognized as the emblem of modesty, chastity and
purity. They have come to symbolize a happy marriage.
MOONSTONE is sometimes used as an alternative by those born in June since it physically resembles some pearls. |
Ruby has been the gem of passion and the heart's desire since the dawn
of time. It is known as the “Lord of the Gems” because of its rarity
and beauty. Derived from the Latin word “Tuber,” it simply means red.
Ruby, like sapphire, is a variety of corundum and only exists as a true
red in colour. The finest colour is a vivid, almost pure spectral red
with a very faint undertone of blue, as seen in Burmese rubies, which
are considered the finest.
Many believed rubies possessed an inner flame that burned eternally.
Rubies were considered the wedding stone through the Middle Ages and
early Renaissance, as they were supposed to keep passion alive and
promote lasting love and contentment in marriage.
As part of the customary fashioning process, virtually all rubies are
heated to permanently improve their colour and appearance. The finest
rubies emanate from Burma, having been mined there since ancient times.
Other sources include Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania,
Cambodia, Afghanistan and India.
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AUGUST
PERIDOT
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A gem variety of the mineral olivine, Peridot should be a lively lime
green.
Favoured by pirates who believed it would glow in the dark whenever it
was near buried treasure, peridot was considered a powerful amulet
against all evil, and when set in gold, was said to protect the wearer
from the terrors of the night. It had medicinal uses, too. If fashioned
into a chalice from which medicines were drunk, it intensified their
effects. Cleopatra was a great admirer of the stone and by Renaissance
times, peridot had become a love stone, worn to attract romance.
Originally mined on St. John's Island (also called Zebirget) in the Red
Sea, today's most important source of peridot in the world is the San
Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Globe, Arizona, where it is mined
by native Americans. Other sources include Mexico, Norway, Kenya and
Burma.
This wonderous stone is the child of volcanic action. Tiny peridot
crystals can be combed from the black sands of the Hawaiian shoreline. |
Though sapphire grows in the ground like most gemstones, it is often
washed down into riverbeds where its bright blue colour would easily
catch the eye of ancient treasure hunters.
Sapphire comes in all colours except red, but is especially popular in
deep blue. Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's
engagement ring. Fancy coloured sapphires - including pink, green,
orange, and golden yellow - are magnificent when combined in a necklace
or bracelet.
Ancient priests and sorcerers honoured sapphire above all gems, for it
enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future. Ancients
believed the Ten Commandments were written on a sapphire tablet.
Marriage partners put great faith in the stone. If its lustre dimmed,
one knew his or her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to
shine when worn by the wicked or impure.
Sapphire is found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma),
Kasmir, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and the U.S.
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OCTOBER
OPAL
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The well-known Roman naturalist Pliny, described the opal as being made
up of the glories of the most precious gems...“the gentler fire of the
ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald,
glittering together...”
White opal has a white or light body colour with flashes of many
colours. Black opal has a black, dark blue, dark green or grey body
colour with vivid flashes of colour such as red, pink and bright green.
Long known as the Wish Stone, opal is supposed to promote love and
romance and to grant wishes and personal happiness. Medieval writers
believed opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose. It
was also said to have a beneficial effect on eyesight and banish evil
spirits. Opal sources are Australia, Mexico and the U.S.
Sometimes TOURMALINE ,
another multi-coloured gemstone, is used as a birthstone for October.
It is not as fragile as opal and is sometimes selected by those who
prefer faceted stones. |
The name topaz is derived from the Greek word meaning, “to shine” and
also implies “fire.
Most people think of topaz as a transparent golden yellow gemstone.
However, this gemstone occurs colourless as well as orange-yellow, red,
honey-brown (dark sherry), light green, blue and pink. Orange-red
“Imperial” topaz and pink colours are rare and most valuable.
Topaz holds the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest range
of curative powers. The Greeks felt it gave them strength. In addition,
it supposedly cooled tempers, restored sanity, cured asthma, relieved
insomnia, strengthened breathing, and even warded off sudden death.
Topaz is said to make its wearer invisible in time of emergency. It
proved the loyalty of associates by changing colour in the presence of
poison. Topaz is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
and China.
CITRINE is
often used as an alternative to topaz because it appears in many of the
same colours as topaz. Unlike topaz, citrine is readily available and
inexpensive even in large sizes.
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DECEMBER
TURQUOISE
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The word turquoise means “Turkish stone” because the trade route to
Europe came via Turkey. The best qualities are found in northeast Iran,
however, the southwest United States is now the world leader in
production.
Colours in turquoise range from sky blue (most desirable colour) to
blue green and apple green. Egyptian turquoise graced the necks of
Pharaohs, and Cleopatra probably ground-up this gemstone for eye paint.
Tutankhamen's tomb was filled with examples of turquoise inlay, beads,
sculpture, and slabs used in everything from jewellery and furniture to
the great sarcophagus.
During the 16th century, turquoise was used as currency by the
Southwest Indians. They believed the gemstone could bring spoils to the
warrior, animals to the hunter, and happiness and good fortune to all.
BLUE TOPAZ has become a popular alternative in recent years for those who prefer faceted stones. |
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