Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones
gemstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron a
ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the
twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the
zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
Because ancient people did not always classify birthstones by mineral species like we do,
there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why.
Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed a different
birthstone chart. The modern day list that you know is only the most
recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way
to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not
month
Aries birthstones |
21st March - 19th April |
Red jasper is an
intensely protective stone, acting to stabilize the aura and rid it
of dysfunctional energy. This protection is also manifest during
astral travel, which jasper is said to help facilitate. Relaxation,
and contentment, mothering and nurturing, compassion, completion,
and organization. Jasper can be used in the treatment of tissue
deterioration of the internal organs, and for disorders of the
kidneys, spleen, bladder, liver and stomach - the energy is more
appropriate for deterioration rather than the actual state of
malfunction. Jasper can be used to treat the loss of sense of smell.
It has been reported to sooth the nerves.
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Taurus birthstones gemstones |
20th April - 20th May |
Rose Quartz is a soothing, calming stone. It is used for love, and to increase self
love and feelings of self worth. It brings healing and clarity to
the heart and allows the wearer to learn to trust again. Balancing
the emotions and healing emotional wounds, it brings peace and calm.
It is especially powerful in times of stress or loss, helping the
wearer to slow down and take it easy. Its loving nurturing energy
takes away fears, resentment and anger and gently replaces them with
a feeling of higher self esteem and confidence. Wear this and open
yourself to love. Rose Quartz helps us discover the ability to love
ourselves and makes us more open to other people. It is of
particular value in helping us to forgive ourselves, hastening
self-acceptance. Helps us realize that all change is important, even
difficult change. It is said to help increase fertility. Recommended
for artists, acupuncturists, lecturers, and those suffering from low
self-esteem.Rose quartz strengthens your Heart and Blood Vessels and
smoothens Blood Circulation. It is very effective for Heart Problem
and Asthma. This stone works very well with Smoking and Drug
Addiction, also helps people with Dust and Odor Allergy problem.
Rose Quartz heals psychic wounds of the heart and gives tenderness,
softness and openness to our feelings.
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Gemini birthstones |
21st May - 21st June |
Black onyx can help
you to find and focus on your dharma, your "true path" and help you
to safely, confidently & successfully walk that path. Combining
black onyx with moonstone can help to ground and protect you while
accessing the psychic centers. Because it prevents the draining away
of personal energy it can be used for protection from such. It also
helps with controlling or eliminating excess or unwanted energies.
It has been used for wound healing, childbirth and to increase
stamina and self-control.
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Cancer birthstones gemstones |
27 June - 23rd July |
Carnelian warms and cleanses blood, kidneys, stimulates
appetite, emotions, passion, sexuality, physical energy,
celebration, reproductive system, menstrual cramps, arthritis,
kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas. Historically also used to pull
excess fever out through the feet. Comes in a variety of colors
ranging from red to orange and, in some cases, even to dark brown.
Helps you feel anchored and comfortable with your surroundings.
Provides a connection to the past or to historical events. Strongly
influences the reproductive organs. Purifies the blood and liver,
and it is excellent for lower back trouble. Can improve motivation.
Helps one achieve greater success in career or personal matters.
Helps ground people who meditate. A sacred stone of the Egyptians
and the Tibetans, this energetic stone activates the lower chakras
and helps the wearer to take action. It brings energy and fire,
enhancing physical energy and personal power and invoking joy,
laughter and warmth as it opens the
heart.
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Leo birthstones |
24th July - 23rd August |
Tiger eye thought to
bring good fortune and to protect from the "Evil Eye". A golden brown gem, Tiger
Eye is thought to be ruled by the life-giving Sun and so is thought to bring
courage during dark times. Roman soldiers wore Tiger Eye for protection during
battle.Often mentioned as bringing Luck and Wealth. Sometimes mentioned for use
in money and spells. The golden variety is an important gemstone for the 3rd
Chakra or Navel Chakra.
Blue tiger eye (Hawk's Eye or
Falcon's Eye) is said to give the ability to see the complete truth and forgive
without the crippling effect of emotion. This is considered the height of Christ
Consciousness and therefore vibrates to the 6th Chakra and above.
Red tiger eye is said to improve
the ability to speak and even give the wearer a desire to orate. Thought to
vibrate to the Throat Chakra (5th).Natural Healers use Tiger Eye to increase
practicality and common-sense. Tiger Eye is also thought to increase psychic
power as it resembles an eye (Third Eye) and to help a person's confidence. It
it thought to be a balancing, grounding gemstone.
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Virgo birthstones |
24 August - 23 September |
Lapis Lazuli is a
gemstone straight out of fairy tales of the Arabian Nights: deepest
blue with golden shining Pyrite inclusions which twinkle like little
stars.This opaque, deep blue gemstone looks back at a long history.
It was one of the first stones ever to be used and worn for
jewellery. Excavations in the antique cultural centres all around
the Mediterranean provided archeologists with samples for jewellery
which was left in tombs to accompany the deceased into the
hereafter. Again and again this jewellery consisted of necklaces and
objects crafted from Lapis lazuli – the clear indication that
thousands of years ago the people in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia,
Greece and Rome cherished deep blue Lapis lazuli. It is reported
that at the legendary city of Ur situated on the Euphrat river,
there was a busy trade in Lapis lazuli as early as four thousand
years BC. In those days the stones were mined in the famous
occurrences in Afghanistan. But in other cultures Lapis lazuli was
also worshipped as a holy stone. Especially in the oriental
countries it was considered as a gemstone with magical powers.
Numerous seals, rings, scarabs and objects were crafted from the
blue stone, which was introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great.
Here the colour was called "ultramarine", meaning "from beyond the
seas".
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Libra birthstones |
24th September - 22 October |
Jade is a gemstone of unique symbolic energy, and
unique in the myths that surround it. With its beauty and
wide-ranging expressiveness, jade has held a special attraction for
mankind for thousands of years. This gem, with its discreet yet
rather greasy lustre, which comes in many fine nuances of green, but
also in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, and orange and in
delicate violet tones, has been known to Man for some 7000 years. In
prehistoric times, however, it was esteemed rather more for its
toughness, which made it an ideal material for weapons and tools.
Yet as early as 3000 B.C. jade was known in China as yu, the 'royal
gem'. In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous
Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance,
roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade
was used not only for the finest objects and cult figures, but also
in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial
family. Today, too, this gem is regarded as a symbol of the good,
the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of
wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also
symbolises the female-erotic.
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Scorpio birthstones |
23rd October - 22nd November |
Rhodonite stabilizes your emotions. It soothes and brings
order to feelings that are scattered, imbalanced, or ungrounded.
Through its steady upliftment, Rhodonite gradually transforms your
emotional foundation, making it more solid and secure. When your
emotional foundation is improved, your body and emotions can find
harmony with each other and respond to life situations in
appropriate, healthy ways.
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Sagittarius birthstones gemstones |
23rd November - 21st December |
Sodalite is a blue mineral that helps one to stimulate
communications and psychic abilities. Also balances male - female
polarities. Reputed to alleviates fear, calms and clears the mind,
brings clarity and truth. Also aids pancreas, balances endocrine
system, strengthens metabolism and lymphatic system.
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Capricorn birthstones |
22nd December - 20 January |
Obsidian has the property of bringing things to the
surface. The things brought to the surface could be positive or
negative, love, anger, secrets; but with snowflake obsidian, these
things are brought to the surface more gently that they might be
otherwise. Snowflake obsidian can provide balance during times of
change. It aids in seeing patterns in life and recreating them in a
more beneficial way. It is a stone of serenity and purity, and can
shield against negativity. It is associated with the root chakra and
is beneficial for the veins, skeleton, and smooth skin. Snowflake
obsidian gives protection from physical and emotional harm.
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Aquarius birthstones |
21st January - 19th February |
Turquoise is ancient and yet always at the height of
current fashion: that is Turquoise for you. Its brilliant sky-blue belongs to
the all-time favourite trend colours in the world of fashion and jewellery. In
many cultures of the Old and New World this gemstone has for thousands of years
been appreciated as a holy stone, a good-luck-charm or a talisman. It is a
virtual "peoples’ gemstone”. The oldest proof for this lies in Egypt, where in
tombs from the period around 3000 B.C. there were found artefacts set with
Turquoise. In the ancient Persian Kingdom the sky-blue gemstones were originally
worn around the neck or on the hand as protection to ward off unnatural death.
If the stones changed their colour, there was an imminent danger for the wearer.
However, in the meantime it has been uncovered that Turquoises may in fact
change their colour, but this reaction is not necessarily an indication of
danger impending. The reason for the colour change is rather the influence of
light, cosmetic products, dust or even the ph-value of the skin, which may all
trigger off chemical responses.
Blue lace agate is a
gentle, calming stone that engenders tranquility. Blue lace agate
brings with this calm and tranquility a lessening of anger, even
deep anger issues, and a calming of nervousness.Spiritually, blue
lace agate assists in flight, grace, reaching higher Spiritual
planes, communicating with angels and activates the throat chakra.
It can help bring stronger intuition and inner knowing. Inspiration
is another hallmark of blue lace agate and that can assist in inner
attunement, and has been said to be useful for performing
miracles.Blue lace agate is considered a stone of communication. It
can ease the harsh edge off communication in difficult times,
enhance public speaking, and smooth discussions. It also brings
tactfulness to speech and written communications. Blue lace agate is
used in crystal healing to reduce or cure stuttering and other
nervous speech habits and patterns.
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Pisces birthstones |
20th February - 20 March |
Amethyst holds a
magical appeal that’s proven to be timeless and universal. Amethyst displays a
majestic hue of purple, moving from very light to very dark. With purple being
the chosen color of royalty, amethyst has enjoyed an unwavering popularity
dating back thousands of years. The finest quality amethyst exhibits a high
degree of transparency and a rich deep purple color enhanced by flashes of
burgundy or rose. Amethyst has been a popular gemstone for centuries, and with
good reason. It is beautiful, durable and affordable. Amethyst is a variety of
the mineral species quartz. It is a hard gemstone that is resistant to both
scratching and breaking. Amethyst can be faceted or fashioned into jewellery and
cabochons.
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