Birthstone gemstones
Birthstones are very significant in the life of people of today. First of all people associate them with the 12 signs of zodiac. Mothers make their children wear such stones to indicate their birth dates. But the most interesting explanation of their appearance is the legend of their representation of each of 12 tribes of Israel about in 1300 BC. These gemstones were engraved with the twelve sons of Jacob.
Through the years all of that almost lost its sense. These twelve signs of zodiac, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve months of the year have very slight reference with the jewelry of today. For the consumers of today birthstone gemstones are nice gifts for birthdays, holidays and anniversaries.
As I have mentioned before there are twelve birthstones that correspond to the months of the year.
January stone is called garnet. Usually they are red colored, however even green colored garnets exist. In ancient time it was favorite stone of military men. They believed that this stone held some kind of mystical warrior energy.
Amethyst is the gemstone assigned to February. This purple stone partly made from quartz considered to be the stone of power and royalty.
Aquamarine ("the blue sea" stone of March) in its color varies from deep blue to blue green. Ancient Romans believed that it was the gift to Neptune, the god of sea and therefore is to protect sailors at sea.
The birthstone gemstone of April is hardest of them all. It is diamond. It consists mostly of carbon and can be produced in laboratories. Such gems are made for industrial purposes.
If we are talking of a green gem we mean the emerald, May birthstone. Maybe you have heard that Ireland is called the Emerald Island for its verdant landscapes. Like aquamarines emeralds are also partly made of beryl and can change the coloration when heated.
The pearls, June birthstones were brought from India and were believed the tears of heaven. In ancient times the weapons were encrusted with the pearls as the symbol of sorrow they bring. Unlike the diamonds pearls have organic origin and can be grown in special labs in mollusk shells. The color range of the stones may vary greatly.
The Ruby gem is assigned to July. They are very rare and are valued even more than diamonds though have the same origin as sapphires. They say the stone helped to predict the future of the owner.
Peridot is the birthstone gemstone of August. For its green color this gem always was often recognized as emerald. It is said that the first beads were made of peridot gem.
The gemstone of 9th month of the year is sapphire. Due to the iron substance it is as red as ruby. In ancient times sapphires represented purity and believed to protect their wearers from evil thoughts and impure intentions.
Opals are birthstone gems of October. They greatly vary in colors and therefore have mixed reputation (depending from color). It could be both the stone of hope and the of the death presage.
The topaz gemstone of November gets its name from the Sanskrit "fire". It can be colorless, but if it has chromium in its makeup, it can be pink or red. It is considered on of the hardest precious gems along with diamonds.
The birthstone assigned for December is turquoise. This is wedding stone very popular in Russia symbolizes love and affection. Its deep blue color is compared to the blue skies.
I hope the qualities of your birthstone gemstones pleased you and you can wear them freely.