January . . . Garnet
Garnet, the January birthstone, derived its name from the Latin word granatus, meaning like a grain referring to how their crystals resemble seeds embedded in the matrix. Garnet comes in many colors, but a reddish brown is the most common. The use of garnets as a gemstone can be traced to prehistoric times. Noah is recorded using a garnet lantern to steer his Ark through the darkness of the night. Garnets are found in jewelry from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras. Travelers wore garnets as they were considered talismans and protective stones, because it was believed garnets illuminate the night and wore off evil. Said to remove nightmares and depression. Today science says the proverbial luminosity of garnet is caused by its high refraction. I have several garnet necklaces are scattered thru-out my collection.
February . . . Amethyst
Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and the purple color is due to traces of iron. Colored purple-to-lilac, and ranging from opaque to transparent. Named from the Greek word “amethustos”, meaning without wine. Amethyst is an especially powerful stone, a symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind. It protects, reduces negativity and brings spirituality - hence the name “Pope Stone”. The Christian crusaders attached it to their rosaries. A stone of divine love. Although some say amethyst is less powerful than fluorite, which also carries the purple ray, linked with the zodiac it can help psychic knowledge. Healers of times gone by suggest this stone could help dream inspiration if placed under the pillow at night. Legend even says drinking from an amethyst chalice will prevent intoxication. Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and the purple color is due to traces of iron. Colored purple-to-lilac, and ranging from opaque to transparent. Named from the Greek word “amethustos”, meaning without wine. Amethyst is an especially powerful stone, a symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind. It protects, reduces negativity and brings spirituality - hence the name “Pope Stone”. The Christian crusaders attached it to their rosaries. A stone of divine love. Although some say amethyst is less powerful than fluorite, which also carries the purple ray, linked with the zodiac it can help psychic knowledge. Healers of times gone by suggest this stone could help dream inspiration if placed under the pillow at night. Legend even says drinking from an amethyst chalice will prevent intoxication.
March . . . Aquamarine
From lightest sky-blue to the deep blue of the sea, aquamarines show all these shades of an exceptionally beautiful range of usually light blues. It is a truly fascinating stone. Women all over the world covet it because of its fine blue colour, which suits almost any complexion or eye-colour to perfection, and creative gemstone artists get their inspiration for new cuts more often from aquamarines than from other stones. Its light blue arises feelings such as sympathy, trust, harmony or friendship. These are good feelings, which involve a partner or companion, and prove their vale in long-lasting relationships. Aquamarine blue is a divine and eternal colour, since it is, after all, the colour of the skies. Aquamarine blue, however, is also the colour of water with its life-giving properties. And in fact aquamarine seems to have managed to embody the light blue of the seas. This is not surprising, for according to legend it has its origin in the treasure chest of the legendary mermaids, and has for ages been reputed to be a lucky stone for sailors. Its name has been derived from the Latin terms “aqua¿ meaning water, and “mare¿ or sea. Allegedly its powers develop best if the stone is immersed in sun-drenched water. However, it seems a wiser course to carry it, because according to ancient traditions, carrying an aquamarine is supposed to guarantee a happy marriage and to make its owner happy and rich. The ideal gemstone, not only for lovers and married couples. I have several bracelets and necklaces in my collection some very fine Aquamarines.
April . . . Diamond
Discovered about 2,500 years ago in India, the ancients believed they were splinters from the stars, or maybe crystallized lightening or hardened dew drops. Herkimer Diamonds they’re quartz formations which because of their brilliance and diamond shape have been given the name. Mined only in Herkimer, NY. Herkimer diamonds help release energy blockages and also help enhance dream recall.
May . . . Emerald
The emerald was thought to cure a wide range of ailments, including low IQ, poor eyesight and infertility, it also enabled the wearer to predict the future. They are characterized by a garden of included crystals trapped within, known as the “jardin”, because under magnification, you will see lovely patterns resembling foliage in a garden. Emeralds are found mainly in Columbia, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
June . . . Pearl
Everyone loves pearls! Pearls have always been popular - a classic that never go out of style. They were dedicated by the Romans to Isis and they were worn to obtain her favor. In early Chinese myths, pearls fell from the sky when dragons fought among the clouds. And today there are some beautiful strands with amazing shapes and colors in freshwater pearls. Pearls have the powers of love, money, protection, and luck. Natural freshwater pearls occur in mussels for the same reason saltwater pearls occur in oysters. Foreign material inside a mussel can’t be expelled. To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the intruder with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre. To cultivate a pearl, farmers slit the mussel and insert small pieces of live tissue from another mussel. The ancient Chinese practiced this technique, but the first real cultured freshwater pearls originated in Japan. In the 1930’s, Japanese farmers by Lake Biwa achieved natural colors unseen in saltwater pearls. However, water pollution today has virtually destroyed pearl production there. China has the resources that Japan lacks: many large lakes, rivers, and a low-cost work force. The first Chinese cultured pearls were basic, until the 1990’s when China revolutionized pearling. Shapes, luster, and colors of the new Chinese pearls now surpass Biwa quality. I have used many types of pearls in my collection South Sea to tihitian baroque and coins. I have even used pearls in some of my clasps and findings.
July . . . Ruby
Known as the “Lord of the Gems”, the ruby is said to protect their owners from all kinds of misfortune. A fine ruby assured its owner that he would live in harmony with his neighbors. Many ancients believed the ruby possessed an inner flame that burned eternally. Rubies are found in Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan and India.
August . . . Peridot
Peridot (pronounced pair-a-doe) is the gem variety of Olivine, which is composed of two minerals favalite and forstente. Peridot is perhaps derived from the French word peritot meaning unclear, due to its inclusions and cloudy nature. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for at least four thousand years and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of pitdah. It’s also thought to be included in the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priest. The Greeks and Romans called Peridot topazion and topazius, the later called topaz, to end the confusion with the two gems. And legend tells that Peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. Peridot has also been confused with emerald and many jewelers refer to it as “evening emerald. However, Peridot is a beautiful, widely popular gemstone in its own right.
September . . . Sapphire
The sapphire was honored by ancient priests and sorcerers for it was said to enable them to foretell the future. Ancients believed the Ten Commandments were written on a sapphire tablet. Dark blue sapphire will allow one to use their full creative potential. It’s like a mother stone because it tends to your needs as your creative juices flow so that you do not become scattered about but remain grounded. It is also good for helping solve problems, sexual relationships because it tends to make deep bonding between people and creates loyalty.
October . . . Opal
Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity throughout the ages. Medieval writers believed opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose. It is though to banish evil spirits and favor children, the theater and friends.The name Opal could have came from many places. In Greek “opallios”, translates as “color change”, and to the ancient Romans “opalus”, was a stone from several elements. Pliny, a Roman author, wrote that opal combines the sparkle of Almandine, the shining purple of Amethyst, the golden yellow of Topaz, and the deep blue of Sapphire. Fine opals shine and sparkle in a continually changing play of colors called “opalising”. Most opal has this play of colors except “Common Opal”, a name give to all others, like Pink Opal. Because demand outstrips supply, fine opalising opal is very very expensive, so is sold in individual beads for hundreds of US dollars each. I have one or two pieces on my web site pink peruvian opals. Due to 2 to 6% water, opals easily become brittle and if stored too dry or exposed to heat over a longer period of time, they will show fissures and the play of color will fade. Therefore, Opal jewelry should be worn as often as possible, for then the gemstone will receive the needed humidity from the air and from the skin of its wearer. In earlier days opal’s sensitive surface was oiled, but today they are sealed with clear resin.
November . . . Topaz
The Topaz holds the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers. Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry. Usually golden brown to yellow color. Greek legend has it that topaz could make the wearer invisible and would change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink. It is the birthstone of November.
December . . . Turquoise
Turquoise is a soft, opaque gemstone. Ranging from blue-green, to yellow-green with grey, black or brown veining. Turquoise was used for artistic carving and jewelry, which has always been popular in the Orient. In China, Turquoise dates to the thirteenth century A.D. Although most brought from trade with the Persians, Turks, Tibetans, and the Mongols. Tibet had its own source of turquoise usually a green cast, very hard stone with significant amount of spider webbing. The Tibetans highly revered turquoise and was used in many areas as currency. Ancient doctors thought turquoise prevented injury through accident, and would place perfect stones over the eyes to prevent blindness. They also ground it into a powder to cure stomach disorders, internal bleeding, ailments of the hip and bites and stings. Turquoise is believed to protect the wearer from danger. In various countries, it is believed to fade when illness or danger is near. Another belief is that a fading stone indicates a lover’s faithlessness or a friend’s disaffection.
