Pearl: June Gemstone Birthstone

A pearl is unique because it is the only gemstone to be created from a living
creature. The colour of a pearl depends on the type of mollusc and the environment
in which it grows. Pearls range from black to white, the most prized being the
Indian Rose Pearl. Other colours include cream, black, grey, blue, yellow, lavender,
green, mauve and champagne. Pearls are often acknowledged as symbols of purity and
modesty. Pearl is said to help one see himself and help improve self-worth. As an
emblem of modesty, chastity and purity, the Pearl symbolizes love, success, and
happiness. They often symbolize a happy marriage and in many countries are used as
a wedding gift. The ancient Chinese believed that pearls were conceived in the
brains of dragons. In imperial China, the natural black pearl was regarded as a
symbol of wisdom. As such, it was guarded between the teeth of a dragon, which had
to be slain before the pearl could be taken.  One of the most romantic legends
tells how the moon bathes the ocean in its light to attract the oysters to the
surface so that it may impregnate them with heavenly dew. Polished by time, this
drop of light holds this heavenly radiance within its heart and cloaks itself in
a garment with blue, green, pink and golden reflections that shine and blend
in harmony.

Ruby: July Gemstone Birthstone

The ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum , the second hardest natural
mineral known to mankind. Rubies come from all over the world but good gemstones
are found at Thailand, India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, North Carolina in the U.S.,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Kampuchea, and perhaps most
notably, Burma. Ruby is also used as the stone for 15th and 40th marriage
anniversaries. Ruby was named for the Latin word 'ruber' which means red. Ruby
is supposed to cure inflammation and predict the future. Rubies are thought to
induce strong dreams that provide guidance and teaching in ones life. Ruby, which
represents devotion, desire and passion, is said to be an antidote to poison, and
was a stone of prophecy. The stone was supposed to darken when you were in danger.
When rubbed on the skin a ruby is thought to restore youth and vitality.
  

Peridot: August Gemstone Birthstone

Peridot One of The Oldest Green Gemstone Known to Man! Peridot is a brilliant green
gemstone know to humans for more than two thousand years. Peridot is one of the
favorite gemstone of Cleopatra and Egyptian kings. Peridot is available all over the
world. The best comes from Arizona (U.S.A), Afghanistan, Pakistan and Burma. Peridot
is considered for success, peace and good luck. Peridot is birth stone of August.
Peridot is also the 16th marriage anniversary gemstone. The Egyptians called it the
gem of the sun and thought it cured diseases of the heart. It was searched for at
night because of a belief that the moonlight made it easier to see. Powers attributed
to peridot include: protection from negativity, a health aid for the entire body, a
stress reducer, a relaxant, and a fever reducer. Powdered peridot is said to cure
asthma.

Saphire: September Gemstone Birthstone

Sapphire is often associated to the color blue, however Sapphires comes in various
colors. When it’s red color we called it Ruby. Sapphires and Ruby’s are actually
the same minerals. The word sapphire comes from the Greek Sappheriros which means
blue in Greek. The current production of Sapphires comes from Sri Lanka, Burma,
Thailand, Montana (USA), Australia and Africa, the most valuable color is orange-
pink or pinkish-orange which is called Padparadscha sapphire, this can be more
expensive than diamonds. The Persians in ancient times believed that the planet
Earth rested on a gigantic Sapphire whose reflections gave the sky its blue color.
The people from Sri Lanka believe that the star Sapphire protects them from Witch
crafting, it’s also believed that Sapphires protects from envy and attract favor,
Sapphire was considered as the gemstone of truth and sincerity. It is also believed
that wearing a blue Sapphire balances your soul with your body.


Opal: October Gemstone Birthstone

Opal is said to enhance insight and dispels dread, and is the birthstone of October.
Opal is also the 14th wedding anniversary gemstone. Opal gets it name from the Greek
word opallus which means to see a change in color. Opal has the ability to reflect
light for a prismatic effect. There are more than a dozen different colors of opals.
Opals are mined mainly in Southern Australia, but there are still areas where you can
find small amounts such as Mexico, Nevada, Brazil, and Czechoslovakia. The early
Greeks believed opal bestowed its owner with the powers of foresight and prophesy.
Romans perceived opal as a token of hope and purity. Arabs believed it fell from
heaven. Medieval peoples, however, associated opal with the Evil Eye and even the
Black Plague or thought it made a person invisible when the gem was wrapped in a bay
leaf. Queen Victoria boosted opal's popularity by making it a court favorite. More
recently, as October's birthstone, opal is thought to bring luck, but only to those
born in October. Opal is considered a mineraloid because this structure is not truly
crystalline. The chemistry of Opal is primarily SiO2 and varying amounts of water.
The amount of water varies from 5 -10% and greater. This water can help geologists
determine the temperature of the host rock at the time the opal formed.

Citrine: November Gemstone Birthstone

The name Citrine comes from an old French word, "citrin", meaning lemon.  One of the
more rare forms of quartz, this gemstone ranges in color from the palest yellow to a
dark amber named Madeira because of its resemblance to the red wine. Citrine is an
amber-colored gemstone. It is a form of quartz with ferric iron impurities, and is
rarely found naturally. Most commercial citrine is in fact artificially heated
amethyst or smoky quartz. Brazil is the leading producer of naturally mined citrine,
with much of its production coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In ancient
times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.
The hardness of citrine is 7, and appears on the Moh scale as quartz. Citrine is
believed to help the heart, kidney, digestive tract, liver and muscles. It promotes
creativity, helps personal clarity and eliminates self-destructive tendencies.
Known as "The Merchant's Stone", Citrine is said to bring prosperity when placed in
a cash register as if drawing the money there.

Turquoise: December Gemstone Birthstone

Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper
and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. It is rare and valuable
in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of
years owing to its unique hue. The substance has been known by many names, but the
word turquoise was derived around 16th century from the French language either from
the word for Turkish (Turquois) or dark-blue stone (pierre turquin). This may have
arisen from a misconception: turquoise does not occur in Turkey but was traded at
Turkish bazaars to Venetian merchants who brought it to Europe. The color, however,
has been employed extensively in the decorative tiles adorning Turkish places of
worship and homes for hundreds of years, beginning with the Seljuks, and the
association quite possibly has caused the name to take root. Turquoise is one of the
oldest known gem materials. The Egyptians were mining turquoise in 3200 BC in the
Sinai. The blue shade of turquoise was thought to have powerful metaphysical
properties by many ancient cultures.