Gemstones

Gemstones – also known as precious or semi precious stones – are highly attractive and valuable pieces of minerals that when cut and polished, are often used in jewelry.

Certain gemstones represent birthstones – the month in which a person is born – which are outlined below;

JANUARY – Garnet – "Constancy". Used as a gemstone since the Bronze age, garnets come in many colors. Mostly found in Madagascar, the United States, Russia and Turkey, the garnet is a key mineral in interpreting the genesis on many ingeous and metamorphic rocks. A garnet can be given to celebrate a 2nd or 6th wedding anniversary, and are most commonly worn for healing, strength and protection.

FEBRUARY – Amethyst – "Sincerity". Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and was used during Greek and Roman times to protect against drunkeness. Amethysts are mainly found in the United States, some areas of Canada, Brazil and South Korea. An amethyst can be given to celebrate a 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversary and is often worn to aid hearing disorders, insomnia, headaches and other pains.

MARCH – Aquamarine – "Courage". An aquamarine is a transparent variety of 'beryl' and can be found most commonly in Africa, Russia, Sri Lanka and Brazil. Aquamarines can be given for the 16th and 19th wedding anniversary, and are commonly worn to increase intelligence, and to make one youthful.


APRIL – Diamond – "Everlasting Love". The diamond (everyone's best friend!) is one of the hardest known natural minerals, and derives from the Greek word "adamas" meaning invincible, and have been treasured as gemstones since their use in ancient India. Approximately 49% of the world's diamonds originate from Southern Africa, Canada, India, Russia and Australia. Given to celebrate a 60th wedding anniversary, it was previously worn as a talisman to ward off evil, or provide protection in battle.

MAY – Emerald – "Hope & Success". Emeralds, coming from the Sanskrit word meaning 'green', are commonly found in Africa, Brazil, India and Russia. The rare 'trapiche' emerald, found in some areas of Columbia, command the highest prices. An emerald can be given on the 20th, 35th or alternate 55th wedding anniversary, and were sometimes used as amulets to ward off epilepsy, or to prevent diseases of the eye.

JUNE – Pearl or Alexandrite – "Health". Alexandrite tends to exhibit emerald green, red and orange-yellow colors, and tends to change color in artificial light. Typically, alexandrite has an emerald green color in daylight, but exhibits a raspberry red color in incandescent light. Most commonly found in Russia and Sri Lanka, Alexandrite was named after the Russian Cszar Alexandra II. Pearls are primarily produced by molluscs such as 'pearl oysters'. Most often white in color, they can actually be found naturally in any color. Most freshwater pearls come from China, and saltwater pearls are harvested in south-sea protected lagoons. Pearls can be given on the 1st, 3rd, 12th and 30th wedding anniversary, and are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection and love.

JULY – Ruby – "Contentment". Rubies vary from light pink to red in color, and are most commonly found in Africa, Asia and Australia. Most rubies sold on the common market are 'heat-treated', and the Pigeon-Blood red ruby commands the highest prices. Commonly given to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary, the ruby - when worn - is said to provide the gift of confidence and self-esteem.

AUGUST – Peridot – "Married Happiness". Peridot, believed to be named from the Arabic word 'faridat' meaning gem, is considered to be the poor mans emerald. Commonly found in most parts of the world, the largest peridot - at 310ct - is on display in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. Peridot can be given for a 16th wedding anniversary, and is said to offer the wearer health, protection and sleep.

SEPTEMBER – Sapphire – "Wisdom". A sapphire is a non-red variety of the mineral 'corundum', and when found with other trace elements, can be found in almost any color. Most popular, the blue sapphire, is commonly found in Africa, Asia and Australia. A sapphire can be given for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversary, and the Star Sapphire is given on the 65th wedding anniversary. A sapphire is often worn for spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

OCTOBER – Pink Tourmaline – "Hope". Tourmalines are commonly distinctful by their three-sided prisms which is not found in any other common mineral. Tourmalines are mined in Brazil and Africa, and the dravite tourmalines of Yinnietharra in Australia are the rarest and finest on today's market. Tourmalines can be given on an 8th wedding anniversary and are said - if worn - to strengthen body and spirit.

NOVEMBER – Blue Topaz – "Faithfulness". The topaz is admired for its pure, transparent quality. Its name is derived from the Greek word 'topazios' - an island in the Red Sea, and is the state gem of Utah. Topaz can be given on the 4th, 9th or 23rd wedding anniversary, and the Greeks believed that the wearer would increase in strength, and would become invisible.

DECEMBER – Turquoise – "Harmony & Prosperity". Turquoise is an opaque blue to green mineral and has been prized as an ornamental gem for thousands of years. The region known as 'Persia' has been the main source of turquoise but it is also sometimes found in the United States. Turquoise is also a planetary stone for Taurus, Aquarius and Saggitarius star signs, and supposedly - when worn - attracts money, success and love.