| |
| |
| Our birthstone jewellery information not
only gives you the different gemstones for each respective month, it also
provides you with history on each birthstone, their healing powers and legends
associated with them. |
| For more jewellery information on the birthstones
for each month, click on the month of the year. |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
Discover Your Birthstones: |
| Wearing a birthstone
was believed to bring good luck or health. It is of ancient belief that
supernatural powers could be attributed to gemstones. |
| |
January's Birthstones:
|
The Garnet Birthstone: |
| The history
of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age (more than 5,000 years ago), when
it was considered a very popular birthstone. Garnet birthstones are known
for their regenerative and protective properties. According to Christian
and Jewish mythologies, during the Great Flood a bright red garnet guiding
Noah on his journey, leading his ark to salvation. Garnets are available
in a wide range of "warm" tones such as reds, oranges, yellows
and burgundies, as well as various shades of green. |
| |
The Rose Quartz Birthstone: |
| Rose quartz
has been carved and faceted since early times to provide birthstones of
good brilliance. It is valued for its pale to rich pink color. Rose quartz
is considered to be a natural healer and has also been named the 'love
stone' of birthstones. |
| |
| |
| |
February's
Birthstones: |
The Amethyst Birthstone: |
| Amethyst's intense
purple color and beauty has made this birthstone very popular throughout
the centuries. Egyptian craftsmen over 4500 years ago were fashioning
amethyst in their jewellery. This gem was also popular since Pre-Roman
times when the wine-loving Greeks believed amethyst birthsontes could
prevent intoxication. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets
as protection in battle and help calm their fears. Amethyst has been used
since ancient times for carved figurines and shapes. |
| |
The Onyx Birthstone: |
| There is a variety
of onyx which is used in carved cameos and figurines because its layers
can be cut to show a color contrast between the design and the background.
Onyx has the capability of aiding self-control which in turn can produce
a lessening of stress and stress-related conditions. This birthstone is
said to contain magical powers and if worn will defend a person from evil
intentions of others.
Black onyx is a popular birthstone used in rings, earrings
and pendants. |
| |
| |
| |
March's
Birthstones: |
The Aquamarine Birthstone: |
| For centuries,
it was considered that the ocean's energy was captured within aquamarine
gemstones. When amulets made of this precious birthstone were worn, sailors
believed that unmatched bravery would be instilled in their souls. Today,
this gem is used in inspiring serenity, peace and love, resulting in greater
understanding. Aquamarine is a hard gem variety, making it a good choice
for frequently worn jewellery, especially in rings, earrings and pendants
where its delicate color and clarity can be easily noticed. |
| |
The Bloodstone Birthstone: |
| Bloodstone
appears as an opaque dark green stone with bright red spots. During the
Middle Ages, many Christians held the belief that the red spots were drops
of Christ's blood that fell on green jasper at the foot of the cross.
Also known as the "martyr's stone", it was often used in Medieval
times to carve scenes of the crucifixion and martyrs. |
| |
| |
| |
April's
Birthstones: |
The Diamond Birthstone: |
| Diamonds have
always been known to be a 'Girl's Best Friend'. The word diamond comes
from the Greek word adamas meaning the unconquerable. 80% of
the world's gemstone market is composed of diamonds.
Diamonds have a great variety of legends and stories attached
to them, throughout many years of history. One such legend has it that
the first diamonds were discovered by Alexander the Great, approximately
350 BC. The diamonds were supposedly hidden in a valley, guarded by venomous
snakes. Alexander's soldiers polished their shields so intensely that
when the snakes saw their own reflection, they turned upon themselves.
In Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament, Abraham was reputed to
have carried a diamond, which was thought to possess great healing powers.
Any ill person who viewed the gem was instantly cured. Diamonds are believed
to be the gemstone of love, strength, healing and courage, whcih makes
them a great birthstone. |
| |
The Rock Crystal Birthstone
(Quartz): |
| The word crystal
comes from the Greek word krystallos meaning ice and from kryos
meaning frost. This is because rock crystal was believed to be eternally
frozen. The natural abundance and huge variety of the quartz family have
made it the most widely used gem for a birthstone. Rock crystal has and
is still being used for making delicate bowls and imitating diamonds.
|
| |
| |
| |
May's
Birthstone: |
The Emerald Birthstone: |
| Emeralds were
first mined more than 3,000 years ago, in Ancient Egyptian during the
reign of Princess Cleopatra. Emeralds are one of the only stones where
inclusions within the gem are considered part of their natural beauty.
Emeralds without inclusions are considered exceptionally rare and it is
by their inclusions that help to identify the gemstone as genuine. Some
of the best gem quality emeralds have come from the Muzo mine North West
of Bogota in Columbia. Other deposits have been found in Zambia, Central
Africa. The Columbian emerald is known for its green to yellow-green colour,
whereas the Zambian emerald is known for its green to blue-green colour.
Emerald birthstones are said to have a powerful effect
on both the conscious and unconscious mind, improving memory and increasing
spiritual awareness. |
| |
| |
| |
June's
Birthstones: |
The Alexandrite Birthstone: |
| Discovered
in 1830 in the Ural mountains, on the birthday of Czar Alexander II. When
alexandrite is viewed under sunlight, it appears green, while under artificial
light, it appears red to violet. The Alexandrite birthstone is considered
one of the most expensive gemstones to diamond. This birthstone gem is
considered to bring a great deal of luck and fortune when worn. |
| |
The Pearl Birthstone: |
| There are three
main types of pearls being freshwater, salt water and cultured. Pearls
originate from oyster type mussels and are never perfectly round. the
Hope pearl is the largest pearl ever found, named after a former owner,
weighs 90.8 grams and is 2 inches (5cm) long. This pearl can be found
in the South Kensington Museum in London.
The Chinese closely related dragons and pearls. Through Chinese history,
during thunderstorms, it was believed that the dragons were fighting within
the clouds and the raindrops were dragon tears, which were then swallowed
by oysters.
Pearls are closely associated with the gods such as Neptune, Venus, Isis
and Poseidon. The oldest known pearl jewellery is a necklace found in
the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died around 500 BC. |
| |
The Moonstone Birthstone: |
Moonstone is associated with lunar phases and has long been dedicated
to the moon goddess. This birthstone is said to possess a wide variety
of mystical qualities such as relieving anxiety and nightmares, especially
in children and offers a path to inner wisdom. The Romans thought moonstone
formed from moonlight.
|
| |
| |
| |
July's
Birthstone: |
The Ruby Birthstone: |
| The first
known mining of rubies occurred more than 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka.
Mystics have held the belief that rubies held extraordinary powers within
its intense red colour. Some of the world's greatest source of rubies
comes from Burma and the ancient Burmese believed that rubies generated
a mystical force, protecting the wearer from accidents and attacks. When
rubies were worn, they were once believed to contain powers to predict
the future based on changes in their color intensity. |
| |
| |
| |
August's
Birthstone: |
The Peridot Birthstone: |
| The Red Sea
island of Zebirget (St. John's Island) about 50 miles off the Egyptian
coast, was the primary source of peridot and was used by the ancient Mediterranean
civilizations. It has been mined for over 3500 years but was forgotten
for many centuries and only rediscovered around 1900. Peridot was known
by the ancient Egyptians as the "gem of the sun". This birthstone
gem is believed to have powers of protection, health, sleep and wealth
as well as once believed to possess the power to break evil spells. People
during the Middle Ages wore Peridot to gain foresight and divine inspiration.
In 1749 a meteorite fell in eastern Siberia, which contained peridots
that have since been cut. |
| |
| |
| |
September's
Birthstone: |
The Sapphire Birthstone: |
| Contrary to
popular belief, sapphires come in many different colours the most well
known one being blue. Other colours include yellow, orange, pink, light
red, purple and greenish blue, which are referred to as fancy sapphires.
Sapphire has been called the "gem of the heavens". This precious
birthstone was believed to contain the power of wisdom by ancient people
and those who wore it were able to find the correct solutions to challenging
obstacles. The most desired sapphires used to come from Kashmir, India,
where deposits were found at heights of 16,500 feet (5000 meters). Most
of the deposits have now been fully mined. |
| |
| |
| |
October's
Birthstones: |
The Opal Birthstone: |
| Known as the
"rainbow stone" due to the variety of colours contained within
one gem. The name opal possibly derives from the word upala,
an Indian word for "precious stone". Black opal is especially
rare and valuable. Some of the finest gem birthstone opals have been mined
in Australia. Opals were worn in jewellery by the Romans for centuries
and considered them a symbol of hope or purity. The early Greeks believed
this birthstone held the powers of foresight or prophecy. While the imaginative
Arabs thought that opals must have fallen from heaven in flashes of lightning
giving them their unique play of color. Opals have been worn by mystics
to aid their spirit when imparting from their body as a method of protection. |
| |
The Tourmaline Birthstone: |
| Out of all the
birthstones, tourmaline has been nicknamed "rainbow gemstone"
and "chameleon gemstone" because it is found in all spectrums
of colour. This bithstone's colour varies from greens to yellows to reds
to pinks to blues to multi-colours within one stone. Tourmaline has been
known in the Mediterranean region for eons though the Dutch only started
importing it in 1703 from Sri Lanka to Western and Central Europe. The
stone was given a Singhalese name, Turamali, which is thought
to mean "stone with mixed colours". Tourmaline has been referred
to as the "muses stone" as it was believed that its rainbow
colours contain inspirational powers. |
| |
| |
| |
November's
Birthstones: |
The Topaz Birthstone: |
| Traditionally
topaz is known as a yellow to orange birthstone, however out of the different
colours, blue topaz stands out the most. The ancient Egyptians associated
this birthstone gem with the sun god Ra whereas the Romans associated
it with Jupiter, also the god of the sun. This made topaz a powerful amulet
that protected one against harm and strengthened the mind.
Fine quality topaz's have found their way into royalty such as the giant
specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the Braganza. |
| |
The Citrine Birthstone: |
| Citrine gives
off warmth and affection. It is believed to assist in relieving pain and
tension thus dissolving stress. Citrine birthstone originates from the
French word citron meaning lemon due to one of its most popular
colour shades being lemon-yellow. In olden times, this gemstone was used
to ward off evil thoughts and protect against snake venom hence its great
repute in removing toxins from the body. Natural citrine is rarer than
amethyst and deposits have been found up in Scotland. |
| |
| |
| |
December's Birthstones: |
The Tanzanite Birthstone: |
These gemstones are fairly new to the jewellery industry
and with their unique blue and purple colour make them truly unique.
Originally found by Massai herdsmen in Tanzania, South Eastern Africa,
in the 1960's. The first gem bithstones were given to the high class
New York Jewellers Tiffany who introduced them to the world. This gemstone
can only be found in Tanzania, which makes it a very expensive and rare
stone.
|
| |
The Zircon Birthstone: |
Zircon possibly derives its name from the Persian word
zargun meaning "gold-coloured". However, the zircon
bithstone is found in a wide range of colours such as green, dark red,
yellow, brown, orange and most commonly in blue. It's name has been
derived from its intense sparkle. Because of its brilliance, clear zircon
has been mistakenly identified for diamond. Zircon can be used in place
of diamonds as an alternative.
In the middle ages, this birthstone was believed to aid sleep and thus
relieve stress from insomnia; bring wealth, honour and wisdom to those
who wore it.
|
| |
The Turquoise Birthstone: |
| The word turquoise
could have been derived from two origins: one from the Persian name for
turquoise, firouze, since it has been mined in Persia for thousands
of years; the other from the mistaken belief that it came from Turkey.
Nevertheless its colour is so distinct that this birthstone has been named
as such (turquoise). Due to the high copper content in turquoise this
birthstone has been given the title of master healer.
Turquoise has been mined for many centuries being one of the oldest birthstone
used in jewellery. As a result some deposits in areas of Egypt had been
completely mined out around 4,000 BC. |
| |
| |
| |
Cart is empty