Birthstones - April to June.
April's Birthstone
Secrets Revealed by Sam Serio and brought to you by Whatupay.co.uk
April Birthstone: Diamond; Birthstone Properties: Enhances competence, trust and love; Alternative Birthstone: Opal
April's birthstone, the diamond, is one of the most popular gemstones, and part of the reason is the ongoing belief that it passes on remarkable powers to its wearer. People believe that some stones and minerals are imbued with special powers. Certain months of the year have become associated with certain stones and minerals, hence these stones have been called "birthstones," and you don't have to have been born under the month of that stone to enjoy its benefits
Everyone treasures the diamond. There is a reason it is prized as the stone in special items of jewellery, such as engagement rings. This same reason is why we call the 75th anniversary of anything the "diamond anniversary." April's birthstone symbolizes longevity and reliability. Ever heard the phrase "a diamond is forever"? It comes from the fact that a properly preserved diamond never loses its luster.
April's birthstone also represents strength. It is said to be the "ultimate gemstone" because it is the hardest mineral in existence, even tougher than the sapphire or the ruby. It is, however, not invincible. The diamond has four "directions of cleavage," or places where it chips or splits. Expert gemcutters know exactly which directions these are, and are able to avoid them in order to create perfectly shaped gems.
Another trait the diamond proudly flaunts is clarity. The purest diamond is so transparent and colorless that no other stone or mineral in the world can compare. Whenever light strikes a diamond, the particles of light are so evenly dispersed that it seems a bright "flame" burns inside the stone. Clarity of thought and purity of heart is what this trait represents.
Because the diamond is so clear, it goes well with any metal. People who choose platinum, titanium, gold or silver metal bases for jewellery need not fear that their diamond-enhanced apparel will not look good. The diamond is the ultimate expression of class. A single tiny diamond, as long as it is properly cut and with sufficient carat weight, is enough to lend sophistication to any accessory or attire.
This is why jewellery enhanced with the presence of April's birthstone are so highly cherished - apart from the fact that is one of the most expensive gemstones in the market. It speaks of a preference for honesty, integrity and fidelity. A person who gives the precious gift of diamond jewellery says she or he thinks very highly of the receiver of the gift, as he or she is able to appreciate these fine qualities in a person. On the other hand a person who wears diamond jewellery says to the world that he or she has a perfect eye for quality and desires to be surrounded only with the very best.
Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply crystallized carbon. April's birthstone is the perennial first choice for engagement rings, but is it also the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage when eternity bands and other diamond-detailed rings replace original wedding bands. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were the tears of the Gods or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew drops.
In fact, the exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery, even to scientists and geologists. India is thought to be the first river-bed source of diamond mining. The ancient Hindus called the diamond "Vajra," (lightening) because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its invincible strength. Arguably the most beautiful gemstones on the planet, diamonds are also harder than any other substance on earth and found today in Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa.
Dr. Diamond - Diamonds have long been credited for having certain medicinal properties. During the middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if the ailing person took the diamond into bed to warm it up first!
Of Kings and Queens, Archdukes and Duchesses - Legend has it that Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds and over the centuries, this magnificent gemstone has acquired a well-deserved reputation as the ultimate gift of love. In less democratic times, diamonds were reserved for royalty…the only people "entitled" to their symbolism of strength, courage and invincibility.
But in 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and before long the tradition of diamond engagement rings was one embraced by even the most humble brides-to-be and their suitors. The diamond's white hue signifies life, joy and innocence. But diamonds may be nearly any color in the rainbow plus a wide range of browns, grays, and white. Shades of yellow are most common, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, and greenish are more valuable (some extremely so).
P.S. I Love You - It's interesting to note that a woman wears her diamond on the third finger of her left hand because early Egyptians believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger, left hand. A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the history.
Emerald is May's Birthstone By: Sam Serio
May's Birthstone: Emerald; Birthstone Properties: Symbolizes serenity and peace of mind; Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire
Emerald is the birthstone for May and also the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage. Some people believe wearing an emerald brings wisdom, growth…patience. It is perhaps this last attribute that may explain why a gift of emerald for an anniversary -- or any occasion -- is symbolic of love and fidelity.
All Eyes on Emeralds - Emeralds were once prescribed for eye diseases because the green color was believed to be soothing to the eyes. Early stone cutters kept emeralds at their tables to gaze upon as a way to give their eyes a break. Even 21st Century color specialists agree that green is soothing, restful, and relaxing for the eyes. Today's versatile emeralds continue to be "easy on the eyes," used in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other body adornment.
The Color of Spring - An emerald shines like green lightning, filling us with the same wonder as the civilizations that came before us. Ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in the eastern desert region 2,000 years before Cleopatra’s birth, yet today recent finds in North Carolina may provide a new source for quality emeralds in the U.S. Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia are where most emeralds are mined in the 21st Century.
May's birthstone seems perfectly suited to the rites of Spring, matching the colors of the season with its own bottomless green. In fact, the Egyptians engraved emeralds with symbols for Spring foliage to represent eternal youth, and then buried the jewels with their dead. Elsewhere in the ancient world, the Romans associated emeralds with fertility and the rebirth brought about each Spring. Nero, it's said, watched the gladiators through emerald glasses.
The Incas worshiped emeralds…as long as they could. In the 1500's, they were invaded by Spanish Conquistadors who stole their gemstones and pillaged their mines. As a result, many of the world's most magnificent emeralds were lost at the bottom of the sea inside shipwrecked Spanish galleons.
It's Not Easy Being Green - The word "emerald" is a variation of the Greek word "smaragdos," which means "green stone"…perfectly appropriate for a gemstone that is, in fact, the green variety of the mineral beryl. Emeralds range from strong bluish-green to green hues, although some emeralds have a slightly yellowish green. If the hue is too yellow…or too blue…it loses its "emerald" status and is simply a different variety of beryl. Colombian emeralds are generally agreed to be among the most beautiful gemstones in the world, with a grass-green coloring highlighted by a touch of blue.
Pearl is June's Birthstone By: Sam Serio
June's Birthstone: Pearl ; Birthstone Properties: Truth and beauty; Alternative Birthstones: Moonstone and Alexandrite
Pearl is the official birthstone of the month of June. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. Pearls have adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a favorite of Cleopatra, yet there are perfectly suited to young girls and are a popular gift for first communion.
Pearls come in a wide range of colors from delicate rose white to black. The higher the luster or “orient,” the more valuable the specimen. Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. In Arab legend, pearls were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops. Ancient Chinese thought that these gems originated from the brains of dragons.
Whatever their origins, pearls are magnificent! Round Pearl…and Her Shapely Sisters It's hard to believe that the coveted pearl comes naturally from one of the humblest of life forms -- the mollusk. Divers find natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as in the waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California. Besides the popular round shape most people associate with pearls, there are also large hemispherical cultured pearls (called mabe), fresh water pearls (elongated in interesting shapes and colors) and South Sea cultured pearls (from Australia and Indonesian waters) that grow to 10 mm and up!
Gems of unsurpassed beauty and elegance, pearls have been a passion and even an obsession of people throughout the ages. They have been ground up and used in cosmetics and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach conditions. Some cultures swear by pearls as an aphrodisiac. Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewellery, but eventually these gems were seen among all classes of people. They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.
Pearls are nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown.
Alternate Birthstones - Moonstone is a type of feldspar that earned its name because of its resemblance to the iridescent sheen of the moon. Varying in color from clear to blue-white or peach, it was believed to endow the wearer with great spiritual understanding. A gift of this stone is symbolic of health and longevity.
Alexandrite - A yellowish or brownish green in color, this gemstone has the unique characteristic of changing color to a red hue when exposed to a glowing light source, such as candlelight. Because of this quality, it has been characterized by poets as "an emerald by day, a ruby by night."