Amethyst is February's Birthstone
Art and Artists, Uruguay
Sam Serio () -
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it. February's birthstone: Amethyst Birthstone powers: Brings peace and calm to your life Alternative Birthstone: Bloodstone Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February and the traditional anniversary gemstone for the sixth of marriage. Once considered more valuable than diamonds, this member of the quartz member occurs naturally as crystals within rocks. The stones are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zambia, Australia and in the mountains of Russia American amethysts are mined in Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Montana and Colorado. Amethyst from Maine is usually dark with North Carolina amethyst having a bluish tint unique to that area. Amethyst can lighten if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. When heated to 550-560 Centigrade, the color changes to dark yellow or reddish brown. (They are then called citrines. These are more richly colored and more expensive then natural citrines) Ideally deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes, amethysts generally range in hue from pale lilac to nearly black purple. Since purple has always been the color of royalty, amethysts abound in the ornaments of in the British Crown Jewels and in the adornments of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, as well. They have been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth century, adorning royal jewelry, scepters, and crowns. The intense violet hue of February's birthstone appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color…as a symbol of their elevated position. Purple dye was once scarce and expensive, so it was reserved for the garments of royalty, and the color came to symbolize power and status. Sobering Thoughts with Amethyst The Greeks believed that whoever wore an amethyst or drank from an amethyst cup would not become intoxicated. In fact, the word amethyst is derived from the Greek word "amethystos," meaning sober. In ancient Greece, the gemstone was associated with the god of wine, and it was common practice to serve this beverage from Amethyst goblets in the belief that this would prevent overindulgence. It was also claimed that amethyst had a sobering effect on those "drunk" on love’s passion. Even today, amethyst is considered a stabilizing force for those struggling to overcome addictive behaviors. In general, the gemstone is believed to be a calming, tranquil influence that symbolizes peace. Amethyst and Prayer Amethyst is symbolic of piety, spirituality, and a devotion to God. The rich purple gemstones are used worldwide to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and they frequently found in the rings and on the rosaries worn by bishops and priests. It is also believed that amethysts bring on pleasant dreams because they allow you to "channel" positive universal energy. As a result many people place an amethyst under their pillow before going to sleep at night to enjoy "sweet dreams" throughout the night. About the Author For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.
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Comment #1 TexasGal from Dallas, Texas -
Very interesting article. I didn't know that. Amethyst is my favorite stone. I love purple. Amethysts can be green too.Ruby is my birthstone.
Comment #2 rowena105 from UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DOWN SOUTH -
Ruby is also my birthstone and when I went to the site this is what it had to say about Rubies:"July's Birthstone: Ruby Birthstone Properties: Fire and emotion Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire Ruby is the birthstone for July and also the anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th years of marriage. The history of ruby mining dates back more than 2, 500 years ago, and today the coveted gemstone is found in Burma, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States. Called the "Lord of Gems" by ancient Hindus, rubies are one of the most highly prized gems throughout history. The fiery glow of rubies is said to come from the gemstone's internal and eternal flame. For this reason, the gift of a ruby is a symbol of everlasting love. If worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune. It is a perfect engagement ring gemstone and a popular alternative to or addition to diamond engagement bands. Hard, but Soft The word ruby comes from the Latin "ruber, " meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum that is called sapphire when it is any color except red…only when it is red does it earn the designation of "ruby." But that's not to say that there's only one "red" for rubies. Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, although the most treasured rubies are still true red in color. The ruby is a very durable gemstone, surpassed in hardness only by diamonds. But despite its hard nature, it has a soft side. According to legend, you should never make faces at a ruby in a museum or ignore it because it will grow dull if slighted or not worn or seen. Deliver Me From Evil Royalty chose rubies as a powerful talisman that could help protect them against evil by anticipating its arrival. Monarchs thought that rubies would darken when peril was danger, and then return to its original color once the threat was past. In an interesting way, rubies had their own built-in anti-theft device: it was believed that in order for rubies to act for good, it was believed that they had to be in the hands of their rightful owner. A Ruby By Any Other Name Gemstones that are not rubies are also called rubies. The Balas Ruby is a type of spinel (a hard glassy mineral). Bohemian Rubies are derived from rose quartz, and Siberian "rubies" are really red or pink tourmaline. In the United States, the American, Cape, Montana, and Rocky Mountain "rubies" are really different varieties of garnet." I find that site very worthwhile and informative about all types of gems and jewellery. Thank you for putting this link in here.
Comment #3 raven from over the moon -
I wanted to add mine to the list. My birth stone is Emerald. Emerald Is May's Birthstone If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it. 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.
Comment #4 Lee from Pocitos -
The place to buy emeralds is of course, Bogota, Colombia.On a recent trip to Colombia a friend bought some emeralds in Bogota. Later we were on San Andres Island and a lady from a jewerly store was pestering us as we window shopped, telling us about their low prices for emeralds. I asked "is your price cheaper than Bogota"? She said nothing more and went back inside the store. Every time we walked by, she came out waved and said hello. But not a peep more about emeralds.
Comment #5 New toys from toy chest -
I bet the gems are gorgeous too. Are the emeralds uncut or ready to be set? Even better are they already set into earrings, rings, or necklaces? I love jewelry.
Comment #6 shameem (58.147.176.145) -
i have a zircon stone with lot of buble. is it real stone. plz inform me.
Comment #7 Irv in Pocitos from Montevideo, Uruguay -
The biggest selection of emerald jewelery I have seen in my life was in a little jewellery store at the top of the funiculare on the Island of Capri.
Comment #8 Wilbur Corncob from Punta del Este -
See my blog post about buying Emeralds in Colombia... we viewed thousands of emeralds before my friend made a purchase. Most of them were cut but not affixed to any jewellery.
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