Garnet
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Garnet species are found in every color, with reddish shades most common. Blue garnets are the rarest. Garnet is the birthstone of January. It is also the birthstone of Aquarius and Capricorn in tropical astrology. Garnet symbolizes perseverance and strength and is known as a “commitment stone,” which reinforces tenacity and commitment. The ancient Egyptians hailed garnets as a symbol of life. The stone was used for various medicinal purposes in the Middle Ages. In Persia this birth gem was considered a talisman from nature's forces like storm and lightning. |
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Ruby |
Ruby is a pink-ish red to blood-red colored. Ruby is the traditional birthstone for July and is usually pinker than garnet, although some rhodolite garnets have a similar pinkish hue to most rubies. Rubies have always been held in high esteem in Asian countries. They were used to ornament armor, scabbards, and harnesses of noblemen in India and China. Rubies were laid beneath the foundation of buildings to secure good fortune to the structure. A traditional Hindu astrological belief holds rubies as the "gemstone of the Sun and also the heavenly deity Surya, the leader of the nine heavenly bodies (Navagraha)." The belief is that worshiping and wearing rubies causes the Sun to be favorable to the wearer. |
Amethyst
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Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light lavender or pale violet, to a deep purple. The meaning of amethyst varies from time to time and culture. The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication, while medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed. In ancient China, it was also used as a powerful tool to remove negative energies and drive away the hazards of daily life. Amethyst is the traditional and modern birthstone for February. |
Sapphire
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Although blue is the best-known sapphire color, they occur in other colors, including gray and black, and also can be colorless. Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September and is mostly known as the wisdom stone and holiness for royals. Sapphire is associated with royalty, it is believed to attract abundance, blessings, and gifts. In an engagement ring, a sapphire means faithfulness and sincerity, too. |
Emerald
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Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the primary hue necessarily being green. Only gems that are medium to dark in tone are considered emeralds; light-toned gems are known instead by the species name green beryl. As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald is a life-affirming stone. It opens the heart chakra and calms the emotions. It provides inspiration, balance, wisdom, and patience. It is said to promote friendship, peace, harmony, and domestic bliss by enabling the wearer to both give and receive unconditional love. |
Peridot
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Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color — an olive-green. The color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow, to olive, to brownish-green. In rare cases, peridot may have a medium-dark toned, pure green with no secondary yellow hue or brown mask. In the Middle Ages, the gemstone was considered a stone that could provide healing powers, curing depression and opening the heart. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. |
Turquoise
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Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral. Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined, and many historic sites have been depleted, though some are still worked to this day. Ancient peoples believed in its profound power to protect, as well as its tranquil energy and its association with enduring love. In Western culture, turquoise is also the traditional birthstone for those born in the month of December. |
Tourmaline
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Tourmaline can be found in a wide variety of colors. Most commonly black, but can range from colorless to brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink, or hues in between; can be bi-colored, or even tri-colored; rarely can be neon green or electric blue Tourmaline has been said to be a stone of reconciliation, a stone that fosters compassion and cool headedness, radiates the energy that attracts money, healing and friendship, and is used for grounding purposes, to stabilize, and reaffirm our Earth roots. |
Pearl |
Pearls are unique among gemstones because they don't arise from the depths of the earth but from the sea. They require no special cutting or polishing to maximize their lustrous beauty, which has been treasured since ancient times and ensures that pearl jewelry is always in style. The color of pearl can be white, pink, silver, cream, brown, green, blue, black, yellow, orange, red, gold, purple, iridescent. The very best pearls have a metallic mirror-like luster. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes can occur, known as baroque pearls. According to history and the myths, pearls are symbolic of wisdom gained through experience. It is a symbol of hope and salvation. The pearl and what it holds of wealth represents a great potential for the family and so their ambitions grow big. |
Quartz
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Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal or clear quartz, is colorless and transparent or translucent. Quartz can be found colorless through various colors to black. These color differentiations arise from the presence of impurities which change the molecular orbitals, causing some electronic transitions to take place in the visible spectrum causing colors. Wearing quartz crystals has been associated with balance, clarity and energy, and credited with benefiting overall health and spiritual well-being. Because it clarifies thought processes and emotions, it can increase inspiration and creativity. It can also help with concentration, studying and retaining what one learns. |
Topaz
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Although it is often associated with golden yellow and blue, it comes in a variety of colors, including colorless. The rarest are natural pinks, reds, and delicate golden oranges, sometimes with pink hues. An English superstition also held that topaz cured lunacy. The ancient Romans believed that topaz provided protection from danger while traveling. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that attaching the topaz to the left arm protected the owner from any curse and warded off the evil eye. In Europe during the Middle Ages, topaz was believed to enhance mental powers. |
Citrine
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Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Citrine has been referred to as the "merchant's stone" or "money stone", due to a superstition that it would bring prosperity. |
Onyx |
Onyx is formed of bands of chalcedony in alternating colors. Onyx and agate are both varieties of layered chalcedony that differ only in the form of the bands — onyx has parallel bands and agate has curved bands. The colors of its bands range from black to almost every color. Onyx eliminates negative thinking and is believed to sharpen the wits of the wearer.” Black onyx helps improve concentration and devotion which is why many rosaries are made of black onyx. Since onyx is a strength-giving stone, it assists with confidence and is useful for athletes or people under stress. |
Month | 15th-20th Century Traditional | Modern Britain | Modern U.S. |
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January | Garnet | Garnet | Garnet |
February |
Amethyst Hyacinth Pearl |
Amethyst | Amethyst |
March |
Bloodstone Jasper |
Bloodstone Aquamarine |
Bloodstone Aquamarine |
April |
Diamond Sapphire |
Diamond Rock Crystal |
Diamond |
May |
Emerald Agate |
Emerald Chrysoprase |
Emerald |
June |
Cat's Eye Turquoise Agate |
Pearl Moonstone |
Pearl Moonstone Alexandrite |
July |
Turquoise Onyx |
Ruby Carnelian |
Ruby |
August |
Sardonyx Carnelian Moonstone Topaz |
Peridot Sardonyx |
Peridot Spinel |
September | Chrysolite |
Sapphire Lapis Lazuli |
Sapphire |
October |
Opal Aquamarine |
Opal |
Opal Tourmaline |
November |
Topaz Pearl |
Topaz Citrine |
Topaz Citrine |
December |
Bloodstone Ruby |
Tanzanite Turquoise |
Tanzanite Turquoise Zircon |
Sign | Date | Stone |
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Aquarius | 20 January - 18 February | Garnet |
Pieces | 19 February - 20 March | Amethyst |
Aries | 21 March - 19 April | Bloodstone |
Taurus | 20 April - 20 May | Sapphire |
Gemini | 21 May - 20 June | Agate |
Cancer | 21 June - 22 July | Emerald |
Leo | 23 July - 22 August | Onyx |
Virgo | 23 August - 22 September | Carnelian |
Libra | 23 September - 22 October | Chrysolite |
Scorpio | 23 October - 21 November | Beryl |
Sagittarius | 22 November - 21 December | Topaz |
Capricorn | 22 December - 19 January | Ruby |
Day of the Week | Stone(s) |
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Sunday |
Topaz Diamond |
Monday |
Pearl Crystal |
Tuesday |
Ruby Emerald |
Wednesday |
Amethyst Lodestone |
Thursday |
Sapphire Carnelian |
Friday |
Emerald Cat's Eye |
Saturday |
Turquoise Diamond |