There is a variety of colored gemstones waiting for you to discover! Below is information of the history and characteristics of some popular gemstones.
Amethyst, February’s birthstone, is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The name comes from the Ancient Greek words meaning (not intoxicated). Ancient Greeks wore amethyst and made drinking vessels decorated with the gemstone, in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. It is one of the several forms of quartz found all over the world. It is believed to assist with addictions to alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
Aquamarine is a blue/green variety of beryl. The deep blue in the aquamarine is called maxixe. While it is commonly found in the country of Madagascar, Aquamarine also comes from Colombia and Brazil. It has been called “Water of the Sea”, because of its color. The aquamarine is the stone of sailors, believing it would provide protection for them while at sea. It is also said to be an excellent stone for use in meditation.
Black Onyx is a banded variety of the mineral chalcedony. Agate and onyx are both varieties of layered chalcedony that differ only in the form of the bands: agate has curved bands and onyx has parallel bands is said to help release negative emotions such as sorrow and grief. Black onyx stones are said to have protective energies.
Citrine, November’s birthstone is a variety of quartz who’s color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Brazil is the leading producer of citrine, with much of its production coming from Minas Gerais. Sometimes citrine and amethyst can be found together in the same crystal, which is then referred to as ametrine. Citrine has been referred to as the “merchant’s stone” or “money stone” due to a superstition that it would bring prosperity.
Emerald, May’s birthstone is green beryl. Most emeralds are highly included so their brittleness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. Emeralds are a classic stone of love and romance and are reputed to bring both passion and domestic bliss with unconditional love. It is also said to be a stone that brings balance within relationships, as well as friendships. In the vent of heartbreak, emeralds are sometimes used to heal the heartbreak and put one back on the path to love.
Garnet, one of January’s birthstones have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms but differ in chemical composition. Emotionally, considered a stone of increasing commitment, honesty, hope, and faith. It is a stone of positive thoughts which is said to dispel and relieve depression. Garnet is also used to overcome crisis and trauma. It is also used to bring one away from a sense of helplessness or victimization and impart courage.
Rose Quartz is a type of quartz which exhibits a pale pink to rose red hue. The first crystals were found near Rumford, Maine, and in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rose Quartz is a pink quartz crystal that represents love. This may be why this stone is symbolic of love, peace, and calming energies. One of the reported benefits to keeping Rose Quartz is its effectiveness at healing personal relationships. This pink quartz crystal has a powerful effect to aid your emotional healing and is said to help heal relationship problems.
Ruby, July’s Birthstone and Sapphire are both corundum that form in blue, yellow, purple, orange, green or in this case, Ruby red in color. Ruby is told to be a high energy stone and is considered in crystal healing to be very protective of home, worldly possession, children as well as psychic protection. It is also said to protect against unhappiness and lightning.
Sapphire, September’s birthstone is typically a blue gemstone variety. They are utilized in jewelry and in some non-ornamental applications including; scientific instruments, high-durability windows, wristwatch crystals and movement bearings. Sapphire gemstones symbolize truth, faithfulness and honesty. It is said to increase the ability to communicate, release depression and bring calmness, mental clarity, clear vision and peace.
Tiger Eye is a soft gemstone that is usually a metamorphic rock that is a golden to red-brown color, with a silky luster. Tigers Eye is said to stimulate taking action and helps you to make decisions with discernment and understanding. Traditionally, it was carried as an amulet against curses or ill-wishing, and is known to give you courage, self-confidence, and strength of will.
Topaz is a hard gemstone found in many parts of the world. Quarter sized clear to yellow stones are the most common, but occasionally light blue stones are found near sources of significant heat. Clear topaz is used as a birthstone for April and blue topaz is used for a December birthstone. Topaz can also be treated to turn it pink for Octobers birthstone and treated and plated to make a beautiful mystic topaz for June’s birthstone.
Tourmaline is a mineral that is classified as a semi-precious stone and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is said to soothe panic attacks, especially those caused by dark or confined spaces, or in places where the atmosphere is frightening. It’s said to also help control fears of doctors or dentists. Tourmaline is reported to be a stone of purification, cleansing the emotional body of negative thoughts, anxieties, anger or feelings of unworthiness. It may be beneficial in treating obsessive or compulsive behaviors, and in relinquishing chronic worry.
Moonstone is a variety of feldspar known as orthoclase. This type of feldspar forms in microscopic layers that are roughly the size of a wavelength of light. This causes light to refract across these layers creating a sheen of luster called adularescence. In Hindu mythology, moonstone was created from solidified beams of moonlight. It is also a secondary birthstone for June.
Red Jasper is a part of the chalcedony mineral classification. It is an impure variety of silica and is most commonly red in color due to the presence of iron-oxide. Red Jasper typically breaks into a smooth surface, creating sharp jagged edges in the process. As a result of this quality, it was used by indigenous peoples to craft arrowheads, spearpoints, and other sharp tools.
Sodalite is, funny enough, a member of the sodalite mineral group. These minerals are most often blue and can be found in the popular lapis lazuli. Unsurprisingly, sodalite is often confused with lapis as both can have inclusions of calcite. The key way to tell them apart however, is lapis’ gold colored pyrite inclusions. Sodalite is known as a stone of wisdom and is said to clear the mind and provoke deep thought.
Smoky quartz is a variety of quartz that’s color comes from natural radiation reacting with aluminum impurities in the crystal. In Scottish lore, smoky quartz was considered a stone of power. It was also used to craft early sunglasses in 12th century China.
