Colored Gemstones and Birthstones

Colored Gemstones and Birthstones

Colored Gemstones are basically the pieces of different mineral crystals which are cut and polished to be used with jewelry. Generally, all the gemstones are hard but sometimes some of the softer crystals are also used owing to their lustre and aesthetic properties. The difference in the colors of the gemstones is due to the difference in their atomic structure. Gemstones that are associated with the month or zodiac sign of people are called Birthstones. They are often worn as jewelry in the form of a ring or a pendant. Wearing Birthstones is thought to bring good luck, good health, and protection.

Gemstones and their conceivable healing properties

The grandeur and richness of colored gemstones has attracted a lot of attention as well as fascination among all the jewelry lovers and collectors. They portray a significant amount of beauty, lustre and elegance of the jewelry artwork. Although they have not gained any exponential popularity but gemstones were in demand right from the ancient time. Along with beauty, they were conceived to have certain mystic effects enriching the holder with vitality as well as healing, magical, therapeutic, and symbolic properties. Here’s a list of a few gemstones and their properties:

GARNET

Rated 7 to 7.5 on the hardness scale, Garnet is the birthstone of January. It comes in a large spectrum of colors including Fiery orange, Mandarin Garnet, Tsavorite Garnet and the most widely known Pyrope Garnet. It is believed to aid circulation, heart and lungs. In addition to that, it is considered to improve friendship, romanticlove, sensuality, passion and intimacy.

AMETHYST

Amethyst, the birthstone of February, is a genre of quartz having a spectacular Purple color which varies from deep violet and red to a lighter lilac hue. It has a remarkable history and was popular even in the era of ancient Greeks. Amethyst is thought to alleviate insomnia, arthritis and circulatory issues. It is often contemplated as the gemstone of meditation, peace, balance, courage, and inner strength. As per an ancient Greek feeble, it is also the gemstone that helps significantly in protection against drunkenness.

AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin word ‘aqua marina’ which means seawater. It is majorly found in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais. Reckoned to aid the liver, throat, stomach, jaw, teeth, eyes, and ears, Aquamarine is the birthstone of March. Its shade ranges from pale to deep blue and evokes the color of the sea. It is durable enough for everyday wear as it is graded 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Aquamarine is believed to release fear, incite calmness and draw metal clarity. Also, it has been regarded as the symbol of youth, health and hope for a long period of time.

DIAMOND

Adopted from the Greek word ‘adamas’ meaning ‘Invincible’, Diamond is accounted to be the birthstone of April. Diamond along with being the hardest material on the planet comes in a varied range of colors that include black, blue, green, pink, red, purple, orange and yellow. This variation in the color is due to the presence of various impurities present diamonds. During the middle ages, it was conceived that diamonds help in curing the ailments stemming the pituitary gland and brain. Also it is a prevalent notion that like Amethyst, it can provide clarity and balance.

EMERALD

For the people born in May, Emerald is their birthstone. With a rich green color, this gemstone radiates a beautiful lucid vibe of spring and also positive energy. Esteemed as the rarest gemstone, Emerald is popularly mined in Columbia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. It symbolizes love and rebirth. Being the gem of Venus, it also arguably aids in fertility. Deeper the color green of the Emerald more is the value. The most valuable Emerald has a deep bold green color along with a bluish hue.

ALEXANDRITE

Alexandrite is the birthstone of the month of June. It is a very rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color as per the change in lighting. The most pricedAlexandrite show a vivid green to bluish green during daylight and intense red to purplish red in incandescent light. First significant amount of the Alexandrite was found in 1830 in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Today most of the Alexandrite is recovered from Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Rated 8.5 on the Mohs scale, this gemstone is said to balance oneself emotionally, to provide confidence and to increase self-esteem. Also it is considered to intensify the sensuality and feeling of love.

PEARL

Along with Alexandrite, Pearl is also reckoned as a prominent birthstone for June. Pearl is popularly known for its calming properties, whereas purity, charity, integrity, and loyalty are also aided to its wearer. Astrologically, it increases the power of the moon, which signifies softness, family love and steady mind.

RUBY

Ruby is said to be the birthstone of July. Aiding emotions is the main aspect associated with this birthstone. Deemed as the king of the gems, Ruby represents love, health and wisdom. Enhancing the properties of integrity and devotion in the beholder are well knit into its features. The color of the Ruby is its prime feature; it is available in various hues from purplish to bluish red to orange red.

PERIDOT

It is believed that the gemstone Peridot brings remarkable healing properties. It is marked as the birthstone of the month, August. It is also perceived to bring abundance and prosperity while alleviating the relationship stress, anger and jealousy. Peridot comes in various colors having its spectrum from yellowish green to brown, but the lime and olive green shades are more sought after.

SAPPHIRE

Sapphire is the Greek word for the color Blue. It is the September birthstone. Blue Sapphire has over the time served as the symbol of promise and honesty. They also come in pink, orange, peach, yellow and violet colors. Mitigation of pain, enhancement of inner peace and meditation are the ailments linked with this birthstone.

TOURMALINE

The birthstone of October, Tourmaline was discovered in 1980 from the ocean shores of Paraiba. Yet it managed to gain a lot of popularity and became one of the most valuable gemstones. Its vivid blue and green colors look surreal to the eyes. It is said that Tourmaline can boost the immune system, promote detoxification, increase alertness and decrease stress in a person.

CITRINE

November birthdays are associated with Citrine. Generally it is found in warm colors and is considered to have healing properties for auditory issues. In ancient times, Citrine was reckoned as protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. Presently, it is referred to as the Merchant Stone and it stands for prosperity. It is generally of the color yellow and ranges to bright orange-brown.

TURQUOISE

Turquoise are the birthstones linked with December. It happens to be one of the first ever gemstones to be mined. Its color can be sky-blue, greenish-blue or apple-green depending upon the amount of constitution of elements. Its pure form is just the 3% of the entire Turquoise market. It is a relatively softer stone and is graded 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Its significance is associated with healing and balancing.

AMBER

Amber is basically fossilized tree resin and is used as gemstone in jewelry and also as a healing agent in folk medicine. It is coupled with aiding memory loss, mitigating headaches, and bone and heart problems.

TOPAZ

Considered as one of the most powerful gemstones, Topaz assists the balance of emotion and purifies oneself off greed. It is also believed to give the wearer increased strength and intellect.