In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus tells the story of the Breastplate of Aaron, used in religious ceremonies. (Aaron...just in case you were absent from Sunday school that day...was the Biblical figure who performed, at Moses' direction, the miracles that confounded Pharaoh and his magicians.)
Aaron's breastplate was adorned with four rows of gemstones, three gemstones in each row, in the following pattern: Sardius, topaz, carbuncle; emerald, sapphire, diamond; ligure, agate, amethyst; beryl, onyx, jasper. These twelve gemstones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve positions were later co-opted by astologers who linked them to the twelve months of the calendar year and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The Traditional Birthstone List contains these older birthstones and represents birthstone traditions heralding back to the 15th century. The Modern Birthstone List was created by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912 in Kansas City, Missouri. Gemstone purists complained that the NAJ list was devised solely for commercial purposes (they probably didn't believe in Santa Claus either!). As a result, astrologers who prescribed gems often substituted alternate or secondary stones. The Mystical Birthstone list below originated in from Tibet over a thousand years ago. The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is derived from age-old Ayurvedic Indian Medicine, a practice of native people for more than a century.
- Month Modern Traditional Mystical Ayurverdic
- January Garnet Garnet Emerald Garnet
- February Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst Bloodstone
- March Aquamarine Bloodstone Jade Bloodstone
- April Diamond Diamond Opal Quartz
- May Emerald Emerald Sapphire Agate
- June Pearl Alexandrite Moonstone Pearl
- July Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby
- August Peridot Sardonyx Diamond Sapphire
- Sept. Sapphire Sapphire Agate Lapis Lazuli
- October Opal Tourmaline Tourmaline Jasper
- November Yellow Topaz Citrine Citrine Pearl
- December Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Onyx Ruby
Astrologically speaking, your place on the Zodiac is more meaningful than your birth month for tapping into your "power," which has led to the creation of the following list of "Star Stones" related to the star under which you were born, rather than the day.
- Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Ruby, Agate, Garnet
- Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal, Amethyst,
- Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) - Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Bloodstone
- Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) - Bloodstone, Diamond
- Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) - Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald
- Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20) - Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
- Cancer (Jun. 21-Jul. 22) - Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby
- Leo (Jul. 23-Aug. 22) - Tourmaline, Sardonyx, Onyx
- Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) - Jasper, Carnelian, Jade, Sapphire
- Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) - Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot
- Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) - Aquamarine, Topaz
- Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - Sapphire, Amethyst, Turquoise, Topaz
So whether you choose an emerald from the Breastplate of Aaron, a moonstone from Tibet's mystical birthstone list, an opal for its ayurvedic birthstone properties, or your very own "star sign" representative...may the force (of the birthstone) be with you!
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.
- March Birthstone: Aquamarine
- Birthstone Properties: Bestows courage, insight, and victory
- Alternative Birthstone: Bloodstone
Aquamarine is the traditional birthstones for March. It is also the accepted anniversary gem for the 19th year of marriage. Aquamarine is mined primarily in Brazil, Nigeria and Zambia.
Water Baby
Created by combining Latin words for water (aqua) and sea (mare), aquamarine does indeed resemble the bottomless blue of seawater. Like Emerald, aquamarine is a variety of beryl (a mineral that crystallizes within large rocks on the earth's crust).
Aquamarine varies in color from blue-green to a light sky blue, and for generations, those stones containing green are often heat-treated to remove this less desirable color. Surprisingly, unlike other coveted gemstones, the majority of aquamarines are flawless. As a gift, aquamarine is unsurpassed in its legendary abilities to preserve and enhance mutual love, to ensure truth in relationships and to maintain a good marriage
When In Rome...
Ancient Romans believed the magnificent gemstone was sacred to Neptune, the god of the sea. Some legends say that it was gift from mermaids, while others suggest that Neptune retrieved it after it fell from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore. Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea.
The association with water led to the belief that the Aquamarine was particularly powerful when immersed. Water in which this gemstone had been submerged was used in ancient times to heal a variety of illnesses of the heart, liver, stomach, mouth and throat. Aquamarines were also used to reverse poisoning and to aid in fortune telling.
Heal Me
Many believe that aquamarine helps dependence on drugs, is an aid in digestion, and can be used as remedy for swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth.
On the non-physical plain, aquamarine is believed to release anger and negativity replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. It has been used as an aid in meditation and to assist in self-expression.
A Gift of Love
To dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends. To wear aquamarine brings love and affection. To give aquamarine is to offer the gift of knowledge, foresight and individual inspiration. It is a universal symbol of youth, fidelity, hope and health.
Ideal for carving into cameos and beads, the "blue sea" stone is said to aid seafarers so it is a wonderful gift for sailors, fishermen, and everyone who spends time at sea. A a gift of aquamarine symbolizes safety and security, especially within long standing relationships.
Caveat Emptor (Buyer beware): The beautiful light blue to blue-green color of aquamarine may fade upon prolonged exposure to light, so it is especially important to purchase this gem from a reputable source.
May's Birthstone: Emerald
- Birthstone Properties: Symbolizes serenity and peace of mind.
- Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire
Emerald is the birthstone for May and also the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage. Some people believe wearing an emerald brings wisdom, growth...patience. It is perhaps this last attribute that may explain why a gift of emerald for an anniversary -- or any occasion -- is symbolic of love and fidelity.
All Eyes on Emeralds
Emeralds were once prescribed for eye diseases because the green color was believed to be soothing to the eyes. Early stone cutters kept emeralds at their tables to gaze upon as a way to give their eyes a break. Even 21st Century color specialists agree that green is soothing, restful, and relaxing for the eyes.
Today's versatile emeralds continue to be "easy on the eyes," used in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other body adornment.
The Color of Spring
An emerald shines like green lightning, filling us with the same wonder as the civilizations that came before us. Ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in the eastern desert region 2,000 years before Cleopatra's birth, yet today recent finds in North Carolina may provide a new source for quality emeralds in the U.S. Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia are where most emeralds are mined in the 21st Century.
May's birthstone seems perfectly suited to the rites of Spring, matching the colors of the season with its own bottomless green. In fact, the Egyptians engraved emeralds with symbols for Spring foliage to represent eternal youth, and then buried the jewels with their dead. Elsewhere in the ancient world, the Romans associated emeralds with fertility and the rebirth brought about each Spring. Nero, it's said, watched the gladiators through emerald glasses
The Incas worshiped emeralds...as long as they could. In the 1500's, they were invaded by Spanish Conquistadors who stole their gemstones and pillaged their mines. As a result, many of the world's most magnificent emeralds were lost at the bottom of the sea inside shipwrecked Spanish galleons.
It's Not Easy Being Green
The word "emerald" is a variation of the Greek word "smaragdos," which means "green stone"...perfectly appropriate for a gemstone that is, in fact, the green variety of the mineral beryl. Emeralds range from strong bluish-green to green hues, although some emeralds have a slightly yellowish green. If the hue is too yellow...or too blue...it loses its "emerald" status and is simply a different variety of beryl.
Colombian emeralds are generally agreed to be among the most beautiful gemstones in the world, with a grass-green coloring highlighted by a touch of blue.
April Birthstone: Diamond
- Birthstone Properties: Enhances competence, trust and love
- Alternative Birthstone: Opal
Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply crystallized carbon. April's birthstone is the perennial first choice for engagement rings, but is it also the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage when eternity bands and other diamond-detailed rings replace original wedding bands.
The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were the tears of the Gods or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew drops. In fact, the exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery, even to scientists and geologists.
India is thought to be the first river-bed source of diamond mining. The ancient Hindus called the diamond "Vajra," (lightening) because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its invincible strength. Arguably the most beautiful gemstones on the planet, diamonds are also harder than any other substance on earth and found today in Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa.
Dr. Diamond
Diamonds have long been credited for having certain medicinal properties. During the middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if the ailing person took the diamond into bed to warm it up first!
Of Kings and Queens, Archdukes and Duchesses
Legend has it that Cupid's arrows were tipped in diamonds and over the centuries, this magnificent gemstone has acquired a well-deserved reputation as the ultimate gift of love.
In less democratic times, diamonds were reserved for royalty...the only people "entitled" to their symbolism of strength, courage and invincibility. But in 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and before long the tradition of diamond engagement rings was one embraced by even the most humble brides-to-be and their suitors.
The diamond's white hue signifies life, joy and innocence. But diamonds may be nearly any color in the rainbow plus a wide range of browns, grays, and white. Shades of yellow are most common, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, and greenish are more valuable (some extremely so).
P.S. I Love You
It's interesting to note that a woman wears her diamond on the third finger of her left hand because early Egyptians believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger, left hand
A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the history.
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Here you find more list about Birthstone and gemstone:
January Birthstone
January Gemstone: Garnet
January Birthstone Color: Deep Red
February Birthstone
February Gemstone: Amethyst
February Birthstone Color: Purple
March Birthstone
March Gemstone: Aquamarine, Bloodstone
March Birthstone Color: Pale Blue
April Birthstone
April Gemstone: Diamond
April Birthstone Color: White, Clear
May Birthstone
May Gemstone: Emerald
May Birthstone Color: Green
June Birthstone
June Gemstone: Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
June Birthstone Color: White or Purple
July Birthstone
July Gemstone: Ruby
July Birthstone Color: Red
August Birthstone
August Gemstone: Peridot, Sardonyx
August Birthstone Color: Pale Green
September Birthstone
September Gemstone: Sapphire
September Birthstone Color: Deep Blue
October Birthstone
October Gemstone: Opal, Pink Tourmaline
October Birthstone Color: Multi-color, Pink
November Birthstone
November Gemstone: Citrine, Yellow Topaz
November Birthstone Color: Yellow
December Birthstone
December Gemstone: Blue Topaz, Turquoise
December Birthstone Color: Blue
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Rpresented By Azim Uddin For Crazy Items
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Rpresented By Azim Uddin For Crazy Items
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