Rocks Gemstones

“By far the most precious and coveted of the birthstones, diamonds are formed deep within the earth where there is enough intense heat and pressure for carbon to crystallize. Diamonds are the main choice for engagement rings. The diamond also symbolizes the 10th and 60th years of marriage.

Diamonds are so beautiful that ancient Greeks believed they were splinters of stars that had fallen to earth. Some even believed that there were tears of the Gods. The exact origin of diamonds is a mystery to scientists and geologists.

India is thought of as having the first large source of diamond mining. Ancient Hindus called the diamond Vajra, meaning lightening because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its incredible strength. By far the most beautiful stone on the planet, it is also known as the hardest substance in the world.

Diamonds are found today in Australia, Botswana, Russia, and South Africa.

For quite some time diamonds have been known for having certain medicinal properties. In the middle ages gemstones were thought to heal illness if the person took the diamond in their bed with them.

It is believed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds so it makes sense that over the years this beautiful stone has gotten a reputation as being the gift of love.

Diamonds used to be reserved for only royalty and others who were entitled to their symbolism of strength and courage. In 1477 Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and set a tradition of diamond engagement rings.

Interestingly enough early Egyptians believed that the vena amoris also known as the vein of love ran directly from the heart to the third finger on the left hand.

Giving a diamond for any reason is sure to be appreciated.”

Gemstone Names April, Birthstone, Diamond

“The signature February birthstone is amethyst which is characterized by its many variations of purple. When amethyst is subjected to extreme heat it changes color to a yellow colored amethyst referred to as burnt amethyst.

Amethyst is made up of several different varieties of quartz mineral. Amethyst comes from the Greek word amethystos which means sober. It is common belief that the name was made after the color of wine.

You are able to mine amethyst is South American countries that include Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. You are also able to mine it in African countries such as Zambia, Argentina, and Namibia.

There are a few key locations you can find certain amethyst. In Guerrero, Mexico you can find dark deep purple amethysts, known to be one of the most precious in the world. Also in Vera Cruz, Mexico you can find pale crystallized amethysts that have grown in light colored rocks.

In Maraba, Brazil the crystal is generally medium or pale colors. These amethysts are commonly cut. In Rio Grande de Sul, Brazil you can find amethyst stones from large volcanic rocks and is generally big.

North Carolina, USA offers some beautiful blue-violet colored amethysts. Maine, USA used to hold amethysts but they aren’t for distribution any more.

Amethyst is thought to have powerful calming effects on the owner. It is believed to enhance a person’s ability to learn new ideas quicker. It is can help you stabilize you mind and balance of emotional, mental, and physical states.

Amethyst is commonly known for being the gemstone for those who are the zodiac signs Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, and Capricorn. It also symbolizes the gemstone for the 17th wedding anniversary.

These stones are beautiful and colorful, and for that reason usually pretty expensive. Amethyst has been cherished for quite some time, dating back as far as 25,000 years ago.”

Gemstone Names Amethyst, Birthstone, February

“Emerald is the birthstone for May and is known for being the 20th and 35th wedding anniversary stone. Many believe wearing emerald brings you wisdom and growth. This is commonly given as a gift for an anniversary or as a symbol of love and fidelity.

At one point in time emeralds were prescribed for eye diseases because the beautiful color of green was thought to be quite soothing to the eyes. In fact early stone cutters kept emeralds at their working tables to look at as a way of giving their eyes a break.

The ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in the eastern region. In more recent times North Carolina is where the new source of quality emeralds can be found. You can find more emeralds in other areas of America, Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia.

Egyptians engraved emeralds with the symbols of spring foliage to represent eternal youth and buried the stones with the dead. The ancient Romans thought emeralds were associated with fertility and rebirth.

The Incas worshiped these beautiful emeralds. In the 1500’s they were invaded by the Spanish Conquistadors who savagely stole their precious gemstones and even raided the mines. Now many of the world’s greatest emeralds are lost at the bottom of the ocean inside Spanish ships.

Emerald is made up of the Greek word smaragdos which means green stone. Emeralds can vary from a deep blue-green to green hues and some have are a yellowish green. If the color is too yellow or blue then it loses its emerald title and becomes a different type of beryl.

The most beautiful emeralds are most commonly found in Colombia. They are known to have a deep grass green coloring with a highlighting of blue. Emeralds are sure to please anyone as a gift.”

Gemstone Names Birthstone, Emerald

• Gemstones may have been treated to improve their appearance or durability and may require special care.

Amazon.com Product Description
Celebrate a February baby with this darling handprint pendant, made from 925 sterling silver and detailed with a purple amethyst, February’s birthstone. The small circle pendant is suspended from an 18-inch sterling silver rolo link chain. It’s a great choice for a new mom or grandmother.

Sterling Silver Amethyst February Birthstone Handprint Pendant, 18″

Gemstone Names Amethyst, Birthstone, February, Handprint, pendant, Silver, Sterling

Most experts are unable to agree on where stones were adopted from or initially began to be used for any given month. There are historians that think that this practice originally began over 4500 years ago with Sumerians or Egyptians that carried stones as amulets. They did this after a consultation with astrologers who acquired magical powers that were associated with certain stones. The time of an individual’s birth and the relationship to the properties and movement assigned to planets is what determined the color stone that should be worn to protect against sickness and suffering. The stones were also thought to have magical abilities that would attract good fortune.

The Western birthstone system probably originated out of the writings of two early authors. They were Josephus (writing in the first century AD) and St. Jerome (writing during the fifth century AD). Both of them trace the custom of wearing certain types of gems to the stones that stood for the 12 tribes of Israel. They also made a connection between the 12 zodiac signs and the 12 months in the year that were shown an the Breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest’s. The breastplate was originally said to be worn by Aaron, the brother of Moses (as referred to in Exodus 28:15-20).

One example of the stones mentioned in this system follows:

+ Stone 1 – Aries was represented by Carnelian

+ Stone 2 – Taurus has been symbolized using Peridot

+ Stone 3 – Gemini was regarded to use Emerald

+ Stone 4 – Cancer was demonstrated by Ruby

+ Stone 5 – Leo used the gemstone Lapis Lazuli

+ Stone 6 – Virgo has been associated with Onyx

+ Stone 7 – Libra used beautiful Sapphire

+ Stone 8 – Scorpio was represented by Agate

+ Stone 9 – Sagittarius was symbolized by Sapphire

+ Stone 10 – Capricorn was shown with Yellow Topaz (Citrine)

+ Stone 11 – Aquarius was displayed by Beryl

+ Stone 12 – Pisces was exhibited by Jasper

The stones that have been associated with each month have changed frequently throughout the years. One reason is that the actual identification of gemstones has been haphazard and was often based on the description of the color, not the actual mineral composition of the stone. This led to confusion between gems like garnet and ruby.

Even today, historians argue over exactly what stones appeared on the breastplate, depending on which translation of the Bible is consulted. The custom of wearing birthstones eventually began to die after the mid-1500’s in Europe, but some sources indicate that the custom was revived again in Poland during the 18th century.

As the early movement of Christianity begins to spread throughout pagan lands, a transition from stones that were linked with star signs, planets, and astrological signs that were chosen for specific months began. The church worked to do away with the influence of astrology, particularly among pagan converts and began to link the stones with the 12 apostles. Sometime thereafter, a belief that all people born in a certain month became wards of a specific guardian angel arose where specific gems were assigned to each angel, adding to existing birthstone lore.

The American National Association of jewelers officially adopted the most common list of birthstones in 1912 to help with jewelry sales. This is generally the list of birthstones referred to in the US. Once people become interested in wearing birthstones again, less costly gemstones were specified as alternatives for some of the very rare gems. These alternates were chosen because the color is very close to the original stone on the list.

Even the official list provides a great deal of leeway for several of the months. As an example, a person that is born in the month of June can choose pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite, and an individual with a March birthday can choose either bloodstone or aquamarine. Tanzanite was added as an alternative for December by the American Gem Trade Association in October of 2002, but was virtually unknown when the original list was compiled.

You can also choose your birth gemstones by colors as follows:

* January — Dark Red

* February — Purple

* March — Pale Blue

* April — Clear

* May — Bright Green

* June — Cream

* July — Bright Red

* August — Pale Green

* September — Deep Blue

* October — Variegated

* November — Yellow

* December — Sky Blue

If you find you don’t like the stone for your birth month, you can also choose a birthstone based on the day of the week you were born on. Stones that correspond include:

* Sunday – Topaz (any color)

* Monday – Pearl

* Tuesday – Ruby

* Wednesday – Amethyst

* Thursday – Sapphire

* Friday – Carnelian

* Saturday – Turquoise

Cheaper stones like Swarovski crystals in the color of a gemstone let almost anyone afford to wear a stone that simulates the color of the gem assigned to their birth month or day.

Gemstones jewelry Birthstone, Lore

In India, you birthstone is based not on the month of your birth as it is here in America, but on the numerological date of your birth.

Start by taking the date of your birth and reducing the number to a single digit by adding the digits together to arrive at a single number. The 23rd (my birthday) is 2 + 3 = 5. Someone born on the 19th would be 1 + 9 = 10 which further reduces to 1 + 0 = 1.

Find your number in the list below to learn which gemstones and colors will bring positive influences into your life.

If you are a 1 …

Your color is red and gemstones like ruby, garnet and red agate bring positive influences into your life.

You are a go-getter, full of life, a passionate person that is hard to keep down. You are determined and aspire to greatness. Red is a power color that is full of fire and used to bring action and enthusiasm into your life.

If you are a 2…

Your color is cream and pearls or any beige gemstone like many jaspers and agates will bring positive influences into your life.

You are a creative person, that sometimes can be moody and tempermental. You tend to have plenty of insight and intuition. Use your cream colored stones to help balance out the rough spots so you can be even more insightful.

If you are a 3…

Your color is yellowish-pink and gemstones like coral or sunstone will bring positive influences into your life.

You are an ambitious person looking to achieve higher goals. You love discipline, duties and responsibilities. You can use your stones to bring calm and relaxation into your life that your drive to succeed has caused.

If you are a 4…

Your color is green and gemstones like peridot or emerald will bring positive influences into your life.

You are a talker, with great communication skills, but you tend to not make friends easily. You can use your green stones to bring balance in situations where any types of emotional upset are present.

If you are a 5…

Your color is yellow and gemstones like yellow topaz or lemon quart will bring positive influences into your life.

You are a powerful person that loves to learn and you have a high intellect. You make decisions quickly, often without forethought. Use your yellow stones for relief from burnout and to calm your nerves.

If you are a 6…

Your color is white or clear and gemstones like diamond or quartz crystal will bring positive influences into your life.

You are a romantic that loves to surround yourself with beauty. You tend to be dramatic and are drawn towards drama, music & cinema

poetry and the arts.Use your white or clear stones to help keep all that is not beautiful away so you can be peacefully within your palace.

If you are a 7…

Your color is blue or violet and gemstones like lapis lazuli or amethyst will bring positive influences into your life.

You are the strength behind everyone around you and stay grounded to handle responsibilities even when others are forgetting theirs. You are independent, love change and love to travel. Use your stones to allow you to stay calm, cool and collected during times of stress.

If you are an 8…

Your color is yellow and gemstones like citrine and fire opal will bring positive influences into your life.

You are curious, love to explore new things and are a deep thinker. You try hard to obtain greatness and aspire to lead others. Use your orange stones increase your creativity and spice things up a little bit.

If you are a 9…

Your color is any color with an eye, like tigers-eye or cats-eye. They are perfect for bringing positive influences into your life.

You are a service oriented person and commit yourself whole heartedly into projects, especially if they involve helping others. You are mentally strong and courageous but tend to create enemies. Use your eye stones to bring clarity of perception and stability into your endeavors.

Gemstone Names Birthstone, Boost, Happiness, Health, Numerological, peace, strength

A delightful mix of colors, what we would call the best of all worlds, is what an opal truly is and you couldn’t agree more with Pliny’s words above. In fact early Romans valued opals more than even diamonds or pearls due to their iridescent quality. The name opal in itself echoes the characteristics of the stone. In Sanskrit ‘upala’ means precious stone and in Greek ‘Opallios’ means ‘to see a change of color’.

Opal is the birthstone for the month of October. Called the queen of gems opal was considered by the Romans to be a symbol of purity and hope. It was also said to cure one from diseases, being fortified with strong therapeutic powers. Some believed it brought ill luck if those not born in October wore opal. Sadly, opal has been an infamous stone and believed to bring devastation to the entire family of one wearing it. This myth came along with a few unfortunate incidents that coincidentally happened to those sporting opal. This superstition most likely stemmed from the fact that these stones being dry broke during the process of cutting and polishing and hence were considered ominous. 

There were some who did not much bother about these fallacies the best example being Queen Victoria. She truly fancied opals and wore them generously besides having a personal collection of these fine gems. She also gave them away as wedding gifts to all her five daughters.

Truly a gem of the royals opals were quite generously used in crowns. The striking ‘Orphanus’ adorned the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor and is said to have been safeguarding the regal honor. In fact Napoleon gifted a red one with dazzling flashes called ‘The Burning of Troy’ to his Empress Josephine.

The Romans are said to have been in love and in complete awe of opals. So much so that Mark Antony in his quest for a particular opal belonging to Senator Nonius dismissed him on being refused to buy the mesmerizing jewel from him. It was after all meant to be a gift for his lady love Cleopatra and no way would he accept an answer in the negative. They were so sought after that another Roman Emperor is believed to have traded one third of his kingdom in exchange of a sole opal.

I honestly feel a painter’s palette when crystallized would resemble an Opal. The gem has a unique quality of portraying multiple colors at the same time. Who can after all resist these flickering beauties. Agreed it is a gemstone for all of you born in the month of October but it definitely wouldn’t be fair to deprive others of its charm. Not to forget, royalty from all across the world fell easy prey to the charisma of these distinctively exclusive gems.

Gemstone Names Birthstone, October, Opal

• African-American Miss Garnet Barbie doll – January
• African-American Miss Amethyst Barbie doll – February
• African-American Miss Aquamarine Barbie doll – March
• African-American Miss Diamond Barbie doll – April
• African-American Miss Emerald Barbie doll – May

Product Description

Birthstone Beauties Barbie doll is available as a beautiful and stunning African-American doll. The precious pearl, a shimmery off-white, is June’s birthstone. Equally lovely is Miss Pearl Barbie doll, paying tribute to the lustrous stone in faux pearl jewelry, a sassy lace dress, matching bolero jacket and heels, all in the enchanting creamy hue. Even the precious puppy’s leash and crown come in the same birthstone shade. How brilliantly beautiful!!

Barbie African-American Birthstone Beauties Collection Doll. The fabulous new Birthstone Beauties Collection, a new series of “Pink Label” dolls celebrating the precious gems symbolizing the months of our birthdays!

Each Birthstone Beauties doll wears a glittery lace dress with bolero jacket and sassy strapless heels, in shades designed to complement the necklace with faux gemstone pendants and matching earrings. And then they mix it up each doll features a different combination of hair color and style, eye color, make-up and nail polish! But the cutest part isn’t an accessory it’s the well-behaved princess puppies with each of the Birthstone Beauties, with matching leashes, collars, and crowns.

With such a dazzling array of dolls, this is a truly fun way to celebrate your birth month – or someone else’s – in style!

What does your birthstone reveal about your life? Does it stand for a light heart and enduring affections? Glamor and regal elegance? Or even the gifts of health, wealth, and wisdom? If you want the answers, then check out the fabulous new Birthstone Beauties Collection, a new series of Pink Label dolls celebrating the precious gems symbolizing the months of our birthdays!

The Complete Birthstone Beautie Collection (Barbie Collector Pink Label):

* African-American Miss Pearl Barbie doll – June * African-American Miss Ruby Barbie doll – July * African-American Miss Peridot Barb

Barbie African-American Miss Pearl June Birthstone Beautie Collection

Gemstone Names AfricanAmerican, Barbie, Beautie, Birthstone, Collection, June, Miss, Pearl

The crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called an AMETHYST.  It is mined from alluvial deposits and often has a feint strip which is caused by liquid filled canals.  It is a crystalline variety of silicon dioxide or quartz, and is one of the most valuable forms of quartz.This gemstone has traditionally been associated with the month of February. It’s recongised as the birthstone of February.  This lovely stone was said to be the favourite of St Valentine whose commemorative day falls on February 14th.

The AMETHYSThas been thought of as the perfect stone for Royalty and Churchmen alike.  Moses, in the first testament describes the AMETHYST as ‘The symbol of the spirit of God’ and because of this the church has adopted it as the stone worn by its Cardinals and Bishops.  Catherine the Great, of Russia so desired this stone that she sent hundreds of men to search for it in the inhospitable Siberian wastes, and many of them gave their lives in its quest.  Her desire for the stone was not only because of its great beauty but because of its reputation for having restorative properties.  Catherine believed, as do many others, that the AMETHYST has special properties which protect against stomach upsets.  The stone is said to sober and cleanse the body, to prevent drunkenness and even more desirable to Catherine, it was reputed to beautify the skin.

Certainly wearing an AMETHYST will enhance the creamy texture of the skin, giving a glow to the surrounding area and reflect the sparkle in the eyes.

South America and Africa are the currently the largest producers of amethysts. Must of the amethyst gemstone on sale in the UK are mined in Africa.

Gemstone Names Amethyst, Birthstone, February, Guide, Information

• Diamond color is J-K. Diamond clarity is I2-I3.
• Gemstones may have been treated to improve their appearance or durability and may require special care.

Amazon.com Product Description
This dainty October birthstone pendant highlights a cushion-shaped created opal with a delicate rainbow shimmer. The cabochon opal is held in a prong setting of 10 karat yellow gold and surmounted by a small pyramid made up of rhodium beads and a single diamond accent (.005 ct). A delicate 18-inch rope chain completes this design.

10k Yellow Gold, October Birthstone, Created Opal and Diamond Pendant

Gemstone Names Birthstone, Created, Diamond, Gold, October, Opal, pendant, Yellow