Know your BIRTHSTONE and its MEANING!!

Posted on 14/09/2013 I by: Suruchi

Birthstones have long fascinated people - ever since certain precious stones were linked to the zodiac and were fabled to have certain protective powers, meaning and significance.These days birthstones are linked to calendar months and people still believe certain precious stones assigned to your birth month can have a whole host of qualities that affect your destiny. So if you’re interested in learning more about birthstones and their meanings, or simply want to choose a personal bit of jewellery then check out this month-by-month explanation of birthstones and their fabled meanings.

January – Garnet
Garnet stones come in nearly every colour although most often people associate garnet with a red gemstone.
This means that often garnet stones are mistaken for other precious stones like rubies or emeralds but in fact they are often much more durable and sometimes less expensive.Traditionally garnet was associated with faith, love and constancy and so was one of the more temperate stones. It was also believed that wearing garnet could calm anxiety and could keep you safe whilst travelling.A pretty and protecting little gem.

February – Amethyst
A more well-known precious stone is amethyst. If you love to feel like a princess then this is the stone for you.At one time, only royalty could wear amethyst and to this day the Pope will always wear an amethyst ring -- probably more appealing if it was Kate Middleton but we beggars can’t be choosers.Amethysts were supposed to signal strength of character and, when worn, could strengthen relationships and give courage and peace to their owner.

March - Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Aquamarine is supposedly the poor man’s diamond but frankly we’d love an aquamarine ring. Resembling a light, cool blue – or aqua colour – this is an incredibly popular gemstone.It's held dear for lots of reasons - at one time aquamarine gemstones were believed to cure heart, liver and stomach diseases. It is a symbol of youth, love and hope and was thought to bring happiness to its wearer.We know we’d be pretty happy with one. Bloodstones aren’t as notorious but are also associated with the month of March. They are dark green with strong spots of red and are said to have origins in the Crucifixion – hence the blood.Wearing a bloodstone is supposed to have healing powers.

April – Diamond
Ah April, we think you might win the birthstone lottery with diamond as your gemstone.Traditionally the symbol of eternal and everlasting love and faithfulness, the diamond has long been seen as the perfect gift to represent your love for another person.And as one of the most expensive and precious of all the gemstones, we can see why.Wearing a diamond is supposed to bring courage to its owner, so better get down to Tiffany’s now.

May – Emerald
Emerald is one of the most regal stones in the whole collection, and was said to be Cleopatra’s favourite gem --Elizabeth Taylor here we come.This dark green stone symbolizes a whole host of qualities, including fertility, rebirth and love. Wearers of emeralds are supposed to gain wisdom, growth and patience.It doesn't get much more elegant and refined than an emerald.

June – Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
Pearls are the only gemstones that do not need to be polished or cut to make them jewellery-worthy, making them really the only gem that is naturally beautiful.For centuries the pearl was valued as one of the most hotly desired jewels and is associated nowadays with old school regality and symbolizes purity.

Moonstone is another of June’s birthstones and is another gorgeous stone that has an almost magical appearance with a range of colours shining at any one time, lucky old June.In Ancient India moonstone was seen to have magical properties and to this day moonstone is supposed to bring good fortune to all who wear it.

Alexandrite may be a lesser-known gemstone but it might be one of the most unique. In normal light it shines a lovely green colour but in incandescent light it changes to purple!

July – Ruby
Move over diamond, the ruby is in town. July’s birthstone is ruby and with its deep, powerful red tones it was once seen as the only stone to give as a declaration of your love.In fact, in Ancient Hindu the ruby was seen as the “king of gems”. Symbolising peace and harmony, the ruby is supposed to bring strength of character to its wearer as well as guaranteeing wisdom, health and wealth.It’s also one of the most durable gems for everyday wear, and one of the rarest too.

August – Peridot
Peridot is like the spring-time emerald, a light refreshing green or olive coloured gem which not that many people know about.Originally most peridots were formed in Hawaii and brought to the surface by volcanoes in Hawaii, but now they are mostly shipped in from China and Arizona.Peridots are supposed to be great protectors and are believed to have magical healing powers.Wearing peridots is supposed to ward off depression and bring power and influence.

September – Sapphire
According to folklore, September’s birthstone sapphire is supposed to guard your family and loved ones from harm.They range from a very light to very dark violet blue, but the most popular and prized colour is the deep dark blue.Sapphires symbolize dignity, loyalty, serenity, faith, purity and are also supposed to bring their owner wisdom.So if you’ve bagged yourself a sapphire, there's more than one reason to feel pretty lucky!

October – Opal and Tourmaline
Opals are one of the most interesting gemstones around due to their colouring. Deriving from the Greek meaning "to see a change (of colour)", no opal looks exactly the same.They range from white to black with shots of orange, blue, green, red and blue and yellow.
They are said to give faithfulness and confidence and guard against harm – they were even thought to protect eyesight.Tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstones and can come in almost every colour and so suits almost everyone!It can even have more than one fused together so can be totally personal to you.

November – Topaz and Citrine
November has two main birthstones associated with it - topaz and citrine.Topaz comes in a small variety of colours and can range from orange to pink to blue!Originally topaz gems symbolized love and affection and were said to give the wearer of the gem strength and intellect of body and mind.It also is supposed to help good mental health -- bonus. Citrine is another gem that was thought to have healing properties and was supposed to encourage energy and good health in the wearer.It’s also one of the most affordable of all the gemstones and can be orange, yellow or brown in colour.

December -Turquoise and Zircon
One of the oldest known gemstones, turquoise is a gemstone with something a little extra about it.Rather than your token sparkles, turquoise stones are usually opaque robin’s egg blue in colour. They symbolize good fortune and success, relax the mind and protect its wearer from harm.Zircon might not have the prettiest name but it is still a stunning gemstone, it was even used as a substitute for diamonds for years.
Zircon gems are supposed to guard travellers, guarantee peaceful nights and relieve pain and injury. In a range of colours from blue, yellow, red, orange and green it’s certainly not a substitute anymore - that’s for sure!