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New Display Item~BirthstonesTraditionally, certain gems have been associated with different months of the year and thought to perhaps bring luck to a person born under their influence. It is believed the custom of wearing birthstone jewellery first started in 18th century Poland, and has since become popular all over the world. January / February / March / April / May / JuneJuly / August / September / October / November / December January // GarnetGarnets have been popular gemstones for over 5,000 years. Many courageous discoverers and travellers have worn garnets for protection as they were considered talismans and protective stones. For this reason, many on the Crusades had garnets set in their shields and buckles. It was believed in those days that garnets illuminate the night and prevent their wearer from any sort of evil. In fact, according to legend, Noah used a garnet as a lantern to safely steer his Ark through the darkness of the night. Today, science explains to us that the proverbial luminosity of garnet is caused by its high refraction of light. Garnet is believed to energise the bloodstream and pituitary glands. Some believe the garnet is a healing stone, which can relieve skin irritations and inflammations, and combat depression and tiredness. Strange but true: Garnets are often used as the abrasive grit on sandpaper. [ Top ] February // AmethystAmethyst is a popular gemstone because it is widely available and therefore a cheaper gemstone to buy and wear. It is a type of quartz, often thought of as a regal stone because royalty has loved the deep purple of the amethyst for thousands of years. The Greek word for amethyst is emthystos meaning “not drunk”, as it was believed that holding an amethyst gemstone beneath the tongue would prevent the drinker from becoming intoxicated. In ancient Rome, many wine drinkers used amethyst cups to prevent drunkeness through overindulgence. Amethyst is also said to be the stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid. As we all know St Valentine's Day is still celebrated on the 14th of February, making amethyst jewellery an ideal present for a loved one. Beads of amethyst have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. Its reputed calming qualities have led it to be believed that amethyst gives a soothing effect in those who suffer from addictions. As a stone of great healing and meditative powers, amethyst is a purifier and dictator of energies of the mind, body and spirit. [ Top ] March // AquamarineThe word aquamarine comes from the Latin for Aqua meaning water and Mare meaning sea. Aquamarine is a transparent, light blue or sea-green stone that closely related to the emerald. The first documented use of aquamarine stones is by the Greeks around 300 BC. Aquamarine amulets were engraved with the god Poseidon on a chariot. Aquamarine beads have also been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians, who believed they would ensure safe passage through the next world. King Solomon's breastplate is said to have contained an aquamarine gem, and Emperor Nero is said to have used the gem as an eyeglass over 2000 years ago. Aquamarine is said to help reduce dependence on drugs, to aid in digestion, and is used as a remedy for swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth. It's also used by some to help treat ailments of the throat, spleen, heart, immune system, thymus, lymph nodes, mouth, and ears. [ Top ] April // Diamond“A girl's best friend” and the most famous, sought after and precious gemstone. The name diamond comes from the Greek word adamas meaning unconquerable, perhaps because it is the hardest of all natural minerals known to man. Diamonds are formed more than 50 miles underground, which makes them difficult to mine. The Romans thought diamonds were splinters of stars that had fallen to Earth, and Greeks believed diamonds were tears from the Gods. The quality of a diamond is graded by the “Four C's”: cut, clarity, colour and carat weight. The word carat originates from “carob”, as the seeds from the carob tree were originally used to weigh diamonds. A carat is divided into 100 points; therefore half a carat is 50 points. Today lasers are used to cut diamonds, as the only mineral that can cut a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are traditionally worn in engagement rings, symbolising eternity as they are the hardest and therefore the most long lasting of gemstones. One of the most famous of all diamonds is the Koh-i-Noor. It was a 186 carat stone that originated in the subcontinent of India. The diamond was later given to Queen Victoria, who had it recut to 108 carats to increase it's brilliance, and it is currently set in the crown of Queen Elizabeth. “Koh-i-noor” is Persian, meaning “Mountain of Light”. [ Top ] May // EmeraldThe name comes from the Greek smaragdos, meaning “green stone”. Emeralds are one of the four “precious stones”, and second only to the diamond in value. It was known that Cleopatra had emerald mines back in Egypt in 2000BC. The ancient Romans dedicated emeralds to the goddess Venus because they symbolized nature's reproductive powers. Early Christians associated them with the resurrection. In the Middle Ages, believers thought they held the power to foretell the future. According to legend, wearing an emerald cures “illnesses” such as low I.Q., poor eyesight and infertility. The most prized Emerald colour is pure grass green. A flawless, clear emerald is very rare and is usually found in only small sizes. [ Top ] June // PearlNature's gem, produced inside the living tissue of the oyster. Natural pearls are very rare. Most are cultivated in large oyster farms where a small “seed” is placed in the oyster and allowed to become coated with nacre (“mother of pearl”), which the oysters use to protect themselves from such irritants. Pearls come in a wide range of colours, and in ancient times were thought to be tears of the gods.The larger the pearl, the greater the value. Pearls represent modesty, chastity and purity. They have also come to symbolize a happy marriage. [ Top ] July // RubyOne of the four precious stones, Ruby is known as the “Lord of the Gems” because of its rarity and beauty. Ruby is the second hardest gemstone after diamond. Its name comes from the Latin word “ruber” meaning red. Burmese rubies are considered to be the finest.Rubies bring love, confidence, loyalty, and courage. It is a good stone for removing blocked energies in the reproductive system. It re-energizes one after exhaustion and it's also good for balancing blood sugar. [ Top ] August // PeridotAlso known as olivine, it is a transparent lime or olive green stone. Archaeologists have found valuable peridots in Alexandria, Egypt, which must have come from the original source, the island of Zebargad (zebargad being the Arabic word for peridot). Faceted stones have also been found in the ruins of ancient Greece and attributed to the same source. Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) explained in his book “Natural History” that Zebargad was explored in the fourth century BC and it was known as “The Serpent Isle” since its many poisonous snakes interfered with mining activity. Eventually, an Egyptian ruler had the snakes killed and kept the miners isolated at work on the island. The peridots were so coveted, guards of the deposits were told to kill any unauthorised travellers approaching the island. Pirates considered peridot powerful amulets against all evil, and when set in gold were said to protect the wearer from the terrors of the night. According to folklore, the peridot will bring its wearer success, peace, and good luck. [ Top ] September // SapphireOne of the four precious gemstones. Historically, the best sapphires came from Sri Lanka and Burma. One of the most famous of all the stones is the Logan Sapphire, which weighs an amazing 422.99 carats and is set in a brooch surrounded by 20 diamonds. One superstition linked to sapphire is that if its lustre dims, a spouse has been unfaithful. Blue has traditionally been the most favourite colour of sapphire, however in modern times pink sapphires become very popular. Sapphire is believed to offer healing properties for rheumatism, colic, and mental illness. It is also considered an antidepressant. [ Top ] October // OpalOpals are semi-precious stones that are luminous, iridescent, and contain many inclusions of other minerals. In the light these slivers of inclusions give off a colourful display, known as “fire” of an opal. The Roman historian Pliny described opals as having “the fire of the carbuncle, the brilliant purple of the amethyst and the sea green colour of the emerald, all shining together in incredible union.” The Romans considered opal a symbol of hope, an appropriate attribute for a gem with a rainbow locked within it. The Arabs believed opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning, thus acquiring their fiery colours.Often people think Opals are unlucky. This myth can be traced back to a 19th century opal, which was involved in the plot of a novel by Sir Walter Scott, “Anne of Geierstein”. The heroine owned an opal that burned fiery red when she was angry and turned ashen grey upon her death. Queen Victoria finally dispelled the myth by giving opal jewellery wedding presents to her relatives. A black opal is considered to be the most valuable of all the opals. Many opals have high water content - they can actually dry out and crack if they are not cared for well. [ Top ] November // TopazToday most people think of topaz stones as being blue, but in fact topaz can also be yellow, orange, brown or pink in colour. In Victorian times pink topaz stones were especially popular. Ancient Egyptians believed that yellow topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the sun god, Ra. They made amulets from topaz to protect the wearer against harm. The Romans thought wearing topaz would improve their eyesight! Topaz is said to stimulate creativity and gives you the ability to trust in your own decisions. Blue topaz these days is divided into three different shades; the lightest colour which is called Sky Blue, a medium colour called Swiss Blue, and finally London Blue being the darkest. Topaz is a very hard gemstone but it can be split with a single forceful blow. Try and avoid hard knocks or you could chip your topaz. The best way to clean topaz is simply with warm, soapy water. [ Top ] December // TurquioseTurquoise has been mined and worn in jewellery for many thousands of years. Egyptians used it for beads as early as 5500 B.C. The Aztecs were extremely fond of turquoise; the stone represented fertility and life, and they used it to adorn ritual masks. For the Native Americans turquoise was a popular stone, and it was often carved in the shapes of animals and birds. They placed these carved stones in their tombs to bring beneficial spirits to guard the dead. Turquoise was also used by medicine men for healing, and warriors fixed turquoise to the end of their bows to ensure accurate shots. As a healing stone, turquoise is among the crystal healing “master stones”. New Age followers believe turquoise can benefit the whole body, with special strengths in healing ailments of the immune, respiratory, waste and skeletal systems. Crystal healers recommend it for detoxification of alcohol, poison, pollution or radiation in the body, treatment of high blood pressure, asthma, infections and dental problems. Turquoises are relatively soft gemstones and thus quite sensitive. Turquoise should be protected from cosmetics, heat and bright daylight. Clean it from time to time after wearing with a soft cloth. [ Top ]~~~585~586~~