| Month |
Gemstone |
Lore/Myths |
Flower |
| January |
Garnet |
Garnets were once believed to hold medicinal powers. In Medieval
times, it protected its wearer against poisons, wounds and bad dreams,
and cured depression. Red garnets relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory
diseases. To modern users, the garnet symbolizes a light heart, loyalty
and enduring affections. |
Carnation |
| February |
Amethyst |
The early Egyptians believed that the amethyst possessed good powers,
and placed the stones in the tombs of pharoahs. During the Middle Ages,
it was used as medication, believed to dispel sleep, sharpen intellect,
and protect the wearer from sorcery. It was also believed to bring victory
in battle. In Arabian mythology, the amethyst was supposed to protect the
wearer from bad dreams and gout. The amethyst was also the stone of royalty,
representing power. |
Violet |
| March |
Aquamarine |
Beginning in the Roman period, the aquamarine was believed to possess
medicinal and healing powers, curing ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws
and throat. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to be an effective
antidote against poison. Aquamarines were thought to be the source of power
for soothsayers, who called it the "magic mirror", and used it for telling
fortunes and answering questions about the future. It is said that Emperor
Nero used it as an eyeglass 2,000 years ago, and much later, aquamarines
were used as glasses in Germany to correct shortsightedness. In fact, the
German name for eyeglasses today is "brille", derived from the mineral
beryl. |
Jonquil |
| April |
Diamond |
Diamonds are a wonder of nature. Their cold sparkling fire has held
us
spell-bound for centuries, inspiring rich passionate myths of romance,
intrigue, power,greed, and magic. Ancient Hindus, finding diamonds
washed out of the ground after thunderstorms, believed they were
created by bolts of lightning. In our place and time, the diamond
is a symbol of enduring love, and often grace engagement rings. |
Sweet Pea, Daisy |
| May |
Emerald |
There are many myths associated with the emerald. The stone was
once believed to prevent epilepsy, stop bleeding, cure dysentery and fever,
and protect the wearer from panic. Its magnificent green color was said
to rest and relieve the eye. To the ancient Romans, emeralds were dedicated
to the goddess Venus because it symbolized the reproductive forces of nature.
Early Christians saw it as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ. In the
Middle Ages, emeralds were believed to hold the power to foretell
the future. |
Lily of the Valley |
| June |
* 3 Different
Birthstones
Pearl |
Pearls were also widely used as medicine in Europe until the 17th
century. Arabs and Persians believed it was a cure for various kinds of
diseases, as well as insanity. Pearls have also been used as medicine as
early as 2000 BC in China, where it was believed to represent wealth, power
and longevity. Even to this day, lowest-grade pearls are ground for use
as medicine in the Orient. |
Rose |
| June |
Moonstone |
The ancient Roman natural historian, Pliny, said that the moonstone
changed in appearance with the phases of the moon, a belief that persisted
until the sixteenth century. The ancient Romans also believed that the
image of Diana, goddess of the moon, was enclosed within it. Moonstones
were believed to have the power to bring
victory, health and wisdom to those who wore it. In India, the moonstone
is considered a sacred stone, often displayed on a yellow cloth, also considered
a sacred color. The stone is believed to bring good fortune, brought on
by a spirit that lives within the stone. |
Rose |
| June |
Alexandrite |
This stone is named after Prince Alexander of Russia (which is why
the "A" in Alexandrite is capitalized), who was to later become Czar
Alexander II in 1855). Discovered in 1839 on the day of the prince's birthday,
Alexandrite was found in an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains of Russia.
Because it is a relatively recent discovery, there has been little time
for myth and superstition to build around this unusual stone. In Russia,
the stone was also popular because it reflected the Russian
national colors, green and red, and was believed to bring good luck. |
Rose |
| July |
Ruby |
In the Middle Ages, rubies were thought to bring good health, as
well as guard against wicked thoughts, amorous desires and disputes. Rubies,
along with other types of red stones, were said to cure bleeding. And it
was believed that the ruby held the power to warn its owner of coming misfortunes,
illness or death, by turning darker in color. It is said that Catherine
of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, predicted her downfall in seeing
the darkening of her ruby. |
LarkSpur |
| August |
*2 Different
Birthstones
Peridot |
The peridot was regarded since ancient times
as the symbol of the sun. The Greeks believed that it brought royal dignity
upon its wearer. During the Middle Ages, peridot was pierced, then
strung on the hair of an ass and attached to the left arm to ward off evil
spirits. The Crusaders thought that peridots were emeralds, and brought
them back to Europe where they were featured as ornaments in churches. |
Gladiolus |
| August |
Sardonyx |
Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans (objects bearing a sign of
astrological influence to guard from evil and bring good fortune) engraved
with heroes such as Hercules or Mars, god of war. They believed that the
stone would make the wearer as brave and daring as the figured carved on
it. During the Renaissance, sardonyx was believed to bring eloquence upon
the wearer and was regarded with great value by public speakers and orators. |
Gladiolus |
| September |
Sapphire |
The sapphire was said to represent the purity of the soul. Before
and during the Middle Ages, it was worn by priests as protection from impure
thoughts and temptations of the flesh. Medieval kings of Europe valued
these stones for rings and brooches, believing that it protected them from
harm and envy. Warriors presented their young wives with sapphire necklaces
so they would remain faithful. It was believed that the stone's color would
darken if worn by an adulterer or adulteress, or by an unworthy person.
Sapphires were once believed to be protection against snakes. It
was said that if poisonous reptiles and spiders were placed in a
jar containing the stone, the creatures would immediately die. The French
of the 13th century believed that sapphire transformed stupidity to wisdom,
and irritability to good temper. |
Aster |
| October |
*2 Different
Birthstones
Opal |
To ancient Romans, the opal was a symbol of
love and hope. Orientals called it the "anchor of hope." Arabs say it fell
from the heavens in flashes of lightning. It was believed to make its wearer
invisible, hence the opal was the talisman of thieves and spies.
During the Medieval period, a change in color intensity of an opal
was
believed to indicated if its wearer was ill or in good health. The
opal was supposed to maintain a strong heart, prevent fainting, protect
against infection, and cleanse foul-smelling air. The stone, as in ancient
times, was still regarded as a symbol of hope.
But the opal's reputation changed in the mid-14th century. The Black
Death swept across Europe, killing one quarter of its population. The gem
was believed to be the cause of death. When worn by someone struck with
the deadly plague, it would appear brilliant only until the person died.
Then it would change in appearance, losing its luster. In reality, it was
the sensitivity of this stone to changes in temperature that altered its
appearance, as the heat from a burning fever gave way to the chill of death. |
Calendula |
| October |
Tourmaline |
Compared with other gemstones,tourmalines are a relatively recent
discovery. Hence, it lacks the rich lore that accompanies many other precious
gems. However, among some people, the stone is known as the "peace stone,"
believed to dispel fear and make its wearer calm. |
Calendula |
| November |
Topaz |
The name topaz, birthstone for the month of November, comes from
a Sanskrit word meaning "fire." And in ancient lore, it
could be used to control heat. It was said to have the power to
cool boiling water, as well as excessive anger. As medication,topaz was
used to cure fever.
Topaz was once thought to strengthen the mind, increase wisdom,
and prevent mental disorders. It was thought to guard against sudden death.
Powdered topaz added to wine was used to prevent asthma and insomnia. A
cure for weak vision called for immersing the stone in wine for
three days and nights, then rubbing the liquid on the eyes. |
Chrysanthemum |
| December |
*2 Different
Birthstones
Turquoise |
There are many superstitions associated with
the turquoise. In the Third century, it was believed to protect its owner
from falling off a horse. A change in color revealed the infidelity of
a wife. Twelfth century Arabian writings said "The turquoise shines when
the air is pure and becomes pale when it is dim. They also believed that
its color changed with the weather. Persians said that the reflection of
the new moon on a turquoise stone brought good luck, and guarded against
evil. It was said to have a healing effect on the eye -- merely looking
at it strengthened the eye, while placing
it on an inflamed eye brought a cure. A 15th century philosopher
attributed its change of color to its ability to attract poisons.
It was a barometer of its user's health, turning pale in illness
and losing color in death, yet regaining its original beauty in the
hands of a new and healthy owner. |
Narcissus, Holly |
| December |
Zircon |
Zircon was regarded as the amulet for travelers in the Eleventh
century, protecting them from disease, injury, and insomnia, as
well as assuring a cordial welcome wherever their travels would
take them. The gem was also believed to hold magic powers to fight
evil spirits. During the Fourteenth century, zircon was popular as a safeguard
against the Black Death, the great plague that wiped out one quarter of
the population of Europe. The stone was believed to possess healing powers.
It was prescribed to insomniacs to induce sleep, used as an antidote against
poison, and as an aid to digestion. |
Narcissus, Holly |
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