December’s Birthstones - Tanzanite

The second of December’s birthstones is Tanzanite. 

Tanzanite is a comparatively new stone in gemmology because it was just found in the 1960s in Tanzania.  It is found only in a small area of Tanzania. The American Gem Trade Association nominated it as a December’s birthstone in 2002 when it was recognized as a powerful violet flame crystal which facilitates healing and transformation.  

Tanzanite crystals possess a high vibration level which makes them very precious stones for metaphysical healing. It promotes the development of  psychic powers and accelerated spiritual growth. Tanzanite is believed to have mellowing properties and provide balance in busy, stressful lives.

Although tanzanite is valued for its deep violet-blue color, the fact is that it in reality it has to be heat treated to bring out the blue violet of the natural stone.  The color varies from blue to purple, but the most valuable tanzanites are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue. 

Tanzanite is renowned for its tendency to trichroism. This means it looks sapphire blue, violet or burgundy depending on the crystal orientation. Natural tanzanite is   a reddish brown in its untreated state and is very rare.  

 Tanzanite was first used as a more affordable sapphire substitute, but it has grown in popularity and now valued for its own beauty and brilliance. It makes fabulous affordable jewellery and is perfect for gifts.

It is interesting to note that TURQUOISE, the oldest gemstone known and TANZANITE the youngest, are both December’s birthstones.

December’s Birthstones - Turquoise

December‘s Birthstones include Turquoise, Tanzanite and Blue Topaz.

Blue turquoise is one of the December’s birthstones. It is rich in wisdom and tradition and has been adopted my many different ancient cultures since at least 6000 BCE. Used for the production of jewelry and idols it was popular with people of the Middle East, Egypt, Persia (Iran), India, the Aztecs in Central America, and the Native American Indians. 

Over the many centuries it has been used to make necklaces, beads, rings, scarabs and was even used in the construction of the Taj Majal. Turquoise is a holy stone revered by American Indians even to this day, who believe that the turquoise is a magic stone providing protection against harm. Turquoise rings, in particular, are believed to keep away the evil spirits. This ancient protective stone protects both horse and rider on long journeys and guarantees success and power to men.   

Turquoise is a symbol of beauty. During the Middle Ages it was used to offer women a sense of happiness and contentment making them more virtuous and loyal. Turquoise is regarded as a love charm as well as a symbol of good fortune, prosperity and success. Turquoise has always been a favorite with royals.

 

The traditional metaphysical properties offered by the turquoise are open communication, protection against all diseases, regeneration, and strengthening. It is used to boost creativity, serenity, spiritual bonding and relieves negative feelings and improves low self-esteem.

Turquoise said to be a master healer. Turquoise can be used to treat diseases of the throat, lungs, asthma, teeth, depression, eye disorders and general infection. It aids the absorption of nutrients and strengthens the body, relaxes the mind and  protects against environmental pollutants.

Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones used in jewellery and idols. Its name   came from the 13th century French expression Pierre tourques which stands for Turkish stone.

Turquoise is a blue stone which ranges in color from a greenish-blue to sky-blue, and its may vary from translucent through to opaque. Turquoise is a still a particular favorite in the American Southwest where the native community design and produce an outstanding array of turquoise jewellery.

 

If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do

November’s Birthstone - Citrine

The other November’s birthstone is the Citrine 

November’s birthstone, the Citrine, symbolizes truth and integrity. Citrine gets its name from the Latin word citrina which means yellow. The warm yellow color supports vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth. Citrine encourages success, abundance, clear thinking and creativity.

 

Citrine is known as the healing quartz.  It removes negative vibrations and eliminates self-destructive tendencies. It strengthens the heart, the kidneys, the red blood cells, the digestive tract, the liver and is a muscle healer. It has been used to cure appendicitis and gangrene.  Citrine has been known to help hearing.  In ancient times it was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.

Citrine is a type of quartz found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is reasonably rare to find natural citrine  so most gems on the market are heat-treated amethysts or smoky quartz. 

Visually it is almost impossible to differentiate between citrine and yellow topaz. But they are unrelated mineral species. Historically all yellow gems were once incorrectly called topaz. Sometimes citrine and amethyst can be found together in the same crystal which is called ametrine. 

  November’s birthstone citrine makes beautiful jewellery and exquisite, affordable engagement rings and a perfect gift.

November’s Birthstone – Topaz

  November's birthstones are the  yellow TOPAZ and the CITRINE 

One of November’s birthstones is the yellow topaz, one of the most powerful gemstones which have been used for many thousands of years. Historically the yellow topaz has been associated with Jupiter and was used as a symbol of the power and wisdom of a ruler.  It got its name from the Indian Sanskrit word tapas meaning fire or from the Arabic word topazos meaning found. The Bible describes yellow topaz as one of the protective stones of the New Jerusalem. In ancient Mexico the yellow topaz was used to determine the truth.

Topaz symbolizes love and affection. Topaz is associated with reliability, loyalty, faithfulness and friendship. It gives the wearer increased strength and intellect, opening a person’s mind to higher wisdom and guidance and helps them to find their true pathway in life. It stands for the joy of life.

The traditional metaphysical properties of topaz relate to strength, release of tension and the balancing of emotions. It helps in times of stress, enhancing spiritual rejuvenation and feelings of joy and happiness. It also provides protection from greed and calms passions. It is a useful aid for meditation.

Topaz helps to relieve health problems involving the following conditions - asthma, gout, blood disorders, haemorrhages, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and insomnia. It can help reverse aging by general tissue regeneration and by stimulating the endocrine system.

Topaz comes in a wide range of colors - yellow, pink, purple, orange, and the many popular blue tones. November’s birthstone is the yellow topaz. The most popular color is the Imperial topaz with its magnificent orange body with pinkish undertones. Topaz makes such fabulous jewellery.

 Who first comes to this world below
With drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

October’s Birthstones - The Tourmaline

Another of October’s birthstones is the tourmaline. 

Tourmaline is well-known for its charisma and ability to raise vibrations and understanding of the universal law. Tourmaline improves both concentration and eloquence. It dispels fear and negativity. It is used to help the  grieving process for those who have lost, calming nerves  and providing tranquil sleep to those who need rest. 

 

From a health point of view the tourmaline offers relief with genetic disorders, cancer and regulates hormones.  Similar to opals the tourmaline's curing powers are associated to their color:

• Black tourmalines are specifically used to cure symptoms arising from arthritis, dyslexia, syphilis, heart diseases, anxiety and disorientation. They enhance unselfishness, stop negativity and thwart bad energies such as resentment and insecurity.

• Red tourmaline otherwise known as rubellite enhances creativity. It is also used to cure fertility problems and soothes a passive or aggressive nature.

•  Green tourmaline opens the heart chakra. It has a good effect on the immune system, blood pressure and asthma. It balances, getting rid of conflict from within and other psychological problems. It induces creativity.

•  Blue tourmaline otherwise known as indicolite helps disorders of the lungs, larynx, thyroid and the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Watermelon tourmaline is a heart chakra healer, stimulating a sense of humor. It is eliminates guilt and insecurity and provides self-containment.

Tourmaline is available in a wide range of fabulous colors. Individual stones are also found in multi-colors, bi-colors or tri-colors.  Tourmaline stones which contain many color combinations and have clear distinct tones are highly valued.  Watermelon tourmaline features green, pink, and white bands and when the gemstone is cut into thin slices they have a pink center, white ring, and green edge. 

Tourmaline, one of October’s birthstones are magical stones which make really interesting jewellery and are a good alternative for the opal if you are a little bit superstitious

October’s Birthstone- The Opal

 October's Birthstones are the opal and tourmaline

 One of  October’s birthstone is the opal which symbolizes hope, innocence and purity. But beware, many people believe it is a portend of bad luck and witchcraft and say it should only be worn if it is your birthstone.

 

In mythology the gods cherished opals as the magical personification of all the beauty of all precious gemstones wrapped into one.  In India and the Far East the opal is worn as a lucky charm and a symbol of eternal hope. Opal necklaces are worn to repel evil and to protect eyesight.

The opal’s name comes from the Latin word opalus, meaning precious jewel or the Greek word Opallos, meaning to see a change of color. The magic of the opal lies in is ability to reflect various colors.

Opals are amazing gems which range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, pink, turquoise, cherry red, and blue. An opal's beauty is attributed to the contrast between its color play and its background. The fire opal is particularly beautiful with the red-orange sparkles in it. The most valued opal of all is the white opal with its milky white background with its gentle rainbow iridescence. 

The traditional metaphysical properties attributed to the opal are happiness, inspiration, faithfulness, loyalty and confidence. Opals enhance visualization, imagination, dreams and healing.  

 The opal has powerful healing properties and is particularly good for the eyes and eye infections. However their healing properties however relate to their color

·         Cherry opals are good for blood disorders as well as depression, apathy, lethargy, intuition. They offer joy.

 

 ·         Dark opals are good for the reproductive organs, the spleen, pancreas and bone marrow as well as red and white blood cell production. They are used to treat depression and sexual dysfunction. They help to balance emotions and enhance creativity and innovation.

 ·         Jelly opals help cure diseases of the spleen, abdomen, particularly with the absorption of nutrients, and also with cellular reproductive problems. They minimize mood swings and enhance spiritual thoughts.

 ·         Light opals balance the left and right brain hemispheres in neuro disorders. They cure abdomen, pituitary and thymus diseases, and stimulate white blood cell production. They enhance mystical experiences. 

 Opals which are one of October's birthstones are the most amazing stones and make beautiful jewellery. Give opals is a gift for your love born in October but if she is at all superstitious she will not want to wear an opal if October is not her birth month. Give a tourmaline instead.

.

 October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

September’s Birthstone – The Sapphire

September’s birthstone is the sapphire, which symbolizes both purity and wisdom.

Medieval clergy wore the sky blue sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the sapphire blessed them with heavenly blessings. Throughout history sapphires have been held in high esteem by priests, kings and emperors and references in the Bible likens them to the blue of the sky. 

The word sapphire comes from the Hebrew word sapir. Sapphires are said to have received their protective power from Saturn and enhance the influences of Venus. It was once thought that sapphires guard against evil and poisoning.  

The Sapphire’s blue color symbolize the sky and represent faith, friendship and loyalty. A person wears a sapphire to improve self-confidence, balance emotions and cure mood swings.  Sapphires are used to protect your loved ones from envy and harm.

The traditional metaphysical properties of sapphire are thought to be associated with clairvoyancy, telepathy, astral projection, insight, interpretation, spiritual enlightenment and they are used to banish evil thoughts. It is associated with truth, sincerity and constancy. It is the gemstone used to improve creative expression and give inner peace through meditation.

Health wise sapphire is used to lower fevers, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. It is an aid in the curing of hearing problems, cancer, burns, colic, rheumatism, mental illness, pituitary and glandular functions. Sapphires can also be used as an anti- depressant.

So far only sky blue sapphires have been referred to but in actual fact pure blue sapphires can range from very light to very dark, with the most popular color being  a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violet-blue.

 

However sapphires aren’t just blue. They actually occur in a rainbow of colors including pink, purple, green, orange, yellow and red. These colored variants are known as fancy colored sapphires and are identified by their color, such as pink sapphire, green sapphire.  Together with the ruby and the blue sapphire, the colored sapphires all belong to the gem species known as conundrum.  A ruby could also be called a red sapphire.

Star sapphires are particularly beautiful and romantic - representing a star in the sky. Star sapphires come in blue and in the same color rage as the fancy colored sapphires.

September’s birthstone is a sapphire of any color, so the choice is amazing. Blue or fancy colored sapphires make fantastic engagement rings and heavenly gifts.

 

A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
To bring her joy and peace of mind

The Second of August’s Birthstones is Sardonyx.

The second of August’s birthstones is the sardonyx. 

Amulets made of sardonyx were carried  by ancient Greeks and Romans soldiers into battle to bring them courage and victory. These amulets were often engraved with images of heroes such as Mars or Hercules.

 Similar to in ancient times, sardonyx is still handcrafted by masters to craft fine-looking cameos with carved raised figures. Intaglios are crafted in the reverse of cameos. Cameos and intaglios are works of art with lasting beauty.

 

The carving of cameos is a traditional art passed on from the Greeks to the Romans and is still flourishing today. It takes a five to six year apprenticeship to become  a master artisan. Each precious cameo is a unique hand- crafted piece of jewellery of lasting beauty. Cameos usually depict Roman or Greek Goddesses, heroes or princesses.

 

 Sardonyx is a form of onyx and is associated with the root chakra.  Onyx fosters spiritual inspiration, controls emotions and passions as well as eliminates negative thoughts, apathy, stress and grief.  It promotes wise decision making, and encourages happiness and good fortune.  Its healing powers are associated with disorders of the heart, kidney, nerve, capillary, hair, eye as well as with neurological disorders and it can be used as a nail strengthener.

 

 Sardonyx is differentiated from onyx by attractive layers of sard or reddish brown and white banding. Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony but its bands are parallel to each another, as opposed to the more hap hazard banding found in agates. 

 Black onyx is perhaps the most famous variety of onyx, but the black is not as common as onyx with colored bands. Since ancient times, onyx has been treated artificially to produce both the black color in black onyx, and the reds and yellows in sardonyx. Most black onyx on the market is, in actual fact, artificially colored,

Cameos and intaglios made from sardonyx are made into beautiful jewellery pieces. They make ideal gifts and are of course one of August's birthstones. 

Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone