Birthstones have been around since ancient times,
and in those days were believed to possess some magical force that could
protect the owner or wearer of the stone. These birthstones were
traditionally linked to the Zodiac.
However, modern birthstones
are linked to calendar months, and each month has its own unique
birthstone, with its own fabled properties. Many people love to wear
jewellery set with their birthstone, as the ancient meanings and
associations with these stones still intrigue them.
You can get
many types of jewellery containing birthstones, such as birthstone
rings, a birthstone pendant and birthstone earrings. Giving someone an
item of jewellery set with their birthstone is a touching and wonderful
gift, and whether you give them a birthstone ring, a birthstone pendant
or a birthstone brooch, it is something that they are likely to treasure
forever because it has real meaning and significance.
Below you will find a listing of each of the birthstones used today.
January
The
birthstone for this month is the garnet, which was once thought to be
connected with the blood. This stone is supposed to protect the wearer
from nightmares and offer guidance through the dark.
Garnets are
long lasting and durable gems, with a fiery, ravishing beauty. This is
type of gem that the wearer will treasure forever, no matter what item
of jewellery it is set into. Garnets are traditionally thought of as
deep red, but actually come in a wide range of colours, so there is
something to suit every taste for this month.
February
The
birthstone for this month is the amethyst, and the folklore attached to
this gem associates it with sobriety, tranquillity, protection and
peace. This birthstone as also been linked to improving the skin and
preventing baldness, as well as protection from deceit, so it has a lot
to live up to!
The amethyst birthstone comes in varying shades
of purple, and can be a pale lilac in colour. On the other end of the
scale, you can also get deep violet amethysts, which means that you can
enjoy a birthstone that is as subtle or as rich as you like. This
birthstone is very hardwearing, and its strength and durability will
ensure that it lasts for a very long time.
March
This
month's birthstone is aquamarine, which has been linked to the making
of new friends as well as affection and love, hope and health. This
stone was once also thought to protect those at sea.
As the name
of this birthstone suggests, it is a green-blue in colour and has a
rich, sparkling look. You can get aquamarine birthstones in a variety of
shapes and sizes, and you can also get this stone in varying shades of
green-blue.
April
One of the most popular
gems throughout history, diamonds are the birthstone for this month, and
these stones are linked to love, eternity and strength. This has
contributed towards diamonds being the most popular gems of all time
when it comes to romance, such as engagement rings and wedding bands.
Diamonds
are very strong and hardwearing, making them the perfect birthstone to
wear on a daily basis. You can enjoy many different cuts of this stone,
and the fiery, glamorous sparkle given off by diamonds is positively
captivating.
May
This month's birthstone is
the beautiful emerald, once linked to health and the curing of ailments,
as well as being associated with the ability to see in to the future,
giving them an almost bewitching, magical reputation.
These fiery
green gems are amazing to look at, and can be found in a variety of
shapes and cuts. The beauty and richness of this stone makes it the
perfect gem for birthstone jewellery, and is something that the wearer
can show off and take pride in for a long time.
June
The
elegant pearl is the birthstone for the month of June, and this gem has
been linked with chastity and modesty, making it something of an
angelic, pure birthstone. They are also linked to successful and happy
marriages.
These round, stunning birthstones come in a variety of
colours, and a range of sizes. Pearls can look spectacular yet modest
in all manner of jewellery from birthstone rings, to earrings and
necklaces, making them a perfect gift.
July
The
birthstone for this month is the ravishing ruby, a stone traditionally
linked with protection and harmony. This birthstone has been mined since
ancient times, and boasts a spectacular beauty.
Deep red in
colour, rubies are stunning birthstones that will liven up and enhance
any piece of jewellery. These gems have a unique, vivid and fiery
appearance that would delight anyone.
August
The
birthstone for the month of August is peridot, which was commonly
linked with protection against evil and night terrors, as well as a gem
that enhanced the properties of healing drugs.
Lime green in
colour, this birthstone is a by-product of volcanic action, and comes in
all sorts of shapes and sizes. This birthstone gives off its own unique
energy, and is strong and durable.
September
Sumptuous
sapphire is the birthstone associated with September, and this gem has
been linked with faith and purity, as well as foresight. It was thought
that the stronger the sparkle of the gem, the more faithful and honest
the wearer.
These birthstones look stunning in all types of
jewellery, especially in white gold and platinum metal. However,
sapphires can come in other colours as well as blue. These are strong
and durable gems that will last for years to come, and can be passed
down to future generations.
October
The
birthstone of October is the opal, a stone that has been linked to
purity, hope and innocence. This gem has also been linked to healing
forces, friendship and emotion, so it has experienced its fair share of
folklore over the years.
This type of birthstone comes in white
or black, and both variations have remnants of other colours within
them. Opals have a unique look and beauty, making them a very
interesting birthstone with a strangely exquisite appearance.
November
The
birthstone for this month is topaz, once linked with sanity, healing,
and life, as well as being connected to strength by the ancient Greeks.
This stone has even been linked to an ability to make the wearer
invisible in dangerous situations.
This birthstone comes in a
range of colours, all of which will enhance any jewel with a fiery
sparkle. Colours include golden, blue, pale green, pink and red, as well
as some other rare colours. A stunning gem, topaz boasts both beauty
and strength.
December
The given birthstone
for December is turquoise, and this precious stone was once linked to
happiness, fortune and luck, making it a very popular gem in centuries
gone by.
Turquoise can range in colour from mid-blue to a
green-blue or light green colour, and this birthstone is unusual and
beautiful, making it a very distinctive and unusual addition to any
jewellery collection.
Summary
Giving a
birthstone to someone special as a gift means giving so much more than
just a piece of jewellery. The ancient meanings associated with each of
these birthstones make them extra-special, giving them a quality that is
impossible to achieve with any other gem.
Whether you decide to
give a birthstone ring, necklace earrings or any other piece of
jewellery, you will always find stunning pieces where the precious metal
and the birthstone complement one another perfectly. Birthstone
jewellery makes a unique, beautiful, and affordable gift with real
sentiment behind it.
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