Birthstones: We all know the basics of the birthstone. Each month has a special stone assigned to a particular month of the year you were born - your natal stone. Natal stones were derived from the 12 stones assigned to the twelve tribes of Israel. In the 18th century birthstones were worn regularly in Poland. At the time, gemstones were worn for medical healing. The current birthstone list dates back to 1912. Here is a list of birthstones including some interesting facts and beliefs from across the globe.
January - garnet
•Signifies trust and friendship. •Garnet was known in ancient times as carbuncle. It was thought that carbuncle was one of the four stones given to King Solomon by God.
The Beauty... The Lore
guarantee a safe voyage. •As legend tells, bloodstone was created when drops of Christ’s blood stained some jasper at the foot of the cross.
April – diamond
May – emerald
June – Alexandrite, pearl, & moonstone
August – peridot & spinel
September – sapphire
October – pink tourmaline & opal
November – citrine & yellow topaz
December – turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite
•A diamond is said to signify a person’s honesty, by growing dim if the wearer lies. •The theft of a diamond is said to bring bad luck on any who possess the stone. •Egyptians believed that emeralds stood for rebirth, fertility, and that it could ease childbirth. •Early gemstone cutters would gaze at emeralds to rest their eyes.
•Alexandrite is always capitalized because it was named after Prince Alexander of Russia who later became Czar Alex February – amethyst ander II in 1855. It was discovered in Russia on the prince’s •It was believed by ancient Romans that amethyst could birthday in 1839. ward off drunkenness if placed in the mouth during con •As the story goes, Cleopatra told Marc Anthony she sumption. could consume the wealth of an entire nation in one meal; •It was once reserved for royalty. the value worth thirty million Sesterces (“the price of a king dom in one mouthful”). So, she crushed a magnificent pearl, March – aquamarine & bloodstone added it to her glass of wine, and drank it. •The color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. July – ruby •Aquamarine was believed to protect sailors as well as •Ruby is said to bring serenity, and protect against injury. •The ruby was said to be the most precious of the twelve stones God created. •When God created all things, a ruby was placed on Aaron’s neck by God’s command. •Peridot was once thought to lessen thirst during fever, if held under the tongue. •Peridot was also thought to have the power to break evil spells, and drive away evil spirits. •Some famous “rubies” in the crown jewels were later found to actually be spinel. •It has been said that Moses was given the ten commandments on tablets of sapphire, making it the most sacred gemstone. •Tourmaline is believed to strengthen the body, and spirit, especially the blood and nervous system. •Opal was once thought to have the power to preserve the color and life of blond hair. •Citrine was known as the healing quartz. •The Greeks believed that topaz had the ability to make its wearer invisible. •Warriors would fix turquoise to the end of their bows to insure accurate shots. •Zircon was thought to prevent nightmares. Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography
Oh BABY! | 41