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.

February's Birthstone - Amethyst

February’s Birthstone – Amethyst

 

 

 

February’s birthstone is the amethyst which symbolises stability, peace, balance, courage, inner strength, sincerity and gives the person a calmness of character. if you wear an amethyst you will be urged to develop the  highest, the purest goals in humanity. Your relationships will be strengthened and you will receive the courage to achieve your goals.
 

Amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethyein, which means not drunk. Ancient Greeks wore amethysts to protect against drunkenness, evil thoughts, black magic and homesickness. Historically, amethysts have been linked with various myths, legends, religions, and cultural beliefs.  Throughout the middle ages English and European ceremonial dress was decorated with amethysts particularly as a sign of royalty because during this era only royals were able to wear this gem. The finest amethysts worn by royalty were found in Russia. 

 

 

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

 

Amethysts are used during meditation and to bring inner peace, balance, courage, and inner strength. They are used in India by Buddhist monks to help them meditate because they can bring psychic insight, spiritual opening and internal surrender as well as stimulating the third eye. Amethysts have calming energy that can control the emotions and provide mental clarity. It is said amethysts keep the wearer clear-headed, quick-witted and peaceful.

 

Amethysts have several healing powers and are used particularly to help with withdrawal symptoms from any sort of addiction. In fact the amethyst is often called the sobriety stone because it is alleged to thwart drunkenness and it helps to treat alcoholism and other types of addictions. Amethysts can also provide relief from headaches, insomnia, edginess, arthritis and provide pain relief. They are also helpful in regulating blood sugar imbalance, circulatory system issues and provide general healing powers.

 

From a protection point of view, February’s birthstone –the amethyst attracts justice and provides protection against burglars and thieves.  They ward off danger and protect the wearer from violent death.

The amethyst gemstone is made of quartz.  Its color is usually a beautiful blend of violet with red and a range of color from pale lilac to deep purple. A rarer variety of amethyst, called prasiolite is green February’s birthstone – the amethyst provides the wearer with tranquillity and is the ideal gift for someone who needs a sense of calmness in their lives. They make amazing engagement rings.

 



 

"The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear."