Emerald – Birthstone for the Month of May!

Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May.

This stone is believed to be the symbol of rebirth, and is considered to grant foresight, fortune and youth. The word ‘Emerald’ is taken indirectly from the Greek word smaragdus which means green. In 330 B.C, it was mined in Egypt. The history of emerald can be traced back to ancient times as the stone was worn by kings in Egypt and Babylon. The famous Queen Cleopatra’s emeralds were found from the Egypt, near Red Sea.

The gemstone Emerald belongs to the beryl family of gemstones/minerals which also include morganite, beryl, heliodor etc. It varies in color from very light green to deep green. The presence of green color in emerald is thought to be the cause of excessive amount of chromium or vanadium in the mineral.

Most of times, emeralds are found inside sedimentary rocks. Today, Colombia is the main and richest source of emerald besides getting discovered from Russia, Pakistan, India, Austria, Madagascar, Norway, Brazil and Zambia.

The emerald possess great healing powers as the stone is believed to prevent bleeding, epilepsy and cure fever and dysentery. The green color of this gemstone relieves and soothes eyes and relaxes the mind. It is also said to carry power to foretell the future.

Diamond - Birthstone for the Month of April!

Diamond is the stone for the month of April. You are lucky you are born in April as diamond can also be the perfect gift for your loved one. The word diamond is taken from the Greek word ‘adamas’ means indomitable or unbreakable due to its hardness which is ‘10’ on scale.

Folklore says that God of Mines asked for world’s best gems i.e. sapphires, emeralds, rubies to his courtiers. They found all and brought to him colorful gems. The God took one gem from all, crushed and compounded together and said “Let this be a thing which will combine the beauty of all gems” and Diamond was born; invincible in hardness and pure as dewdrop. Hence, when the rays of diamond are resolved in spectrum, it shows colors of all gems it was made.

There are several types of diamonds; translucent, opaque and transparent. The color of diamond ranges from colorless to black and many colors in between. The diamonds which are used in jewelry are mostly tinted or colorless diamonds. Basically it’s the impurities inside the diamond which makes its color.  Yellow diamond carries little quantity of nitrogen while blue diamond contains boron.

The diamond is considered to be the symbol of innocence and purity.  It provides immense strength, truth and trust to its wearer.  Being perfect in nature, diamond is rightly called ‘king of all gems’. It is known as master healer for its unique abilities to unify body and mind. It is used for providing energy and strength to brain function, sensory organs and nerves. It has also been used to aid balance in brain hemispheres and has been used in treatment of strokes and epilepsy.

Aquamarine & Bloodstone - Birthstones for the Month of March!

Aquamarine & Bloodstone are two birthstones for the month of March.

Aquamarine

The word aquamarine is taken from the Latin word aqua which means water and marine means sea. The stone was considered a stone which protects sailors from sea sickness and ensured safe voyage. It is also said to relax the mind and its blue serene color cools temper.  The colors of aquamarine ranges from greenish blue to blue-green. The main sources of this gemstone is Pakistan, Madagascar, Mozambique and Brazil.

Aquamarine stone is believed to cure ailments of liver, throat, jaw and stomach. It is also said to be an effective antidote against poison. This gemstone was also used to tell fortunes and answer questions about future. In Germany, aquamarine was also used as glasses to correct shortsightedness.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is the second birthstone for the month of March. Bloodstone is also called as heliotrope. It is basically a kind of mineral quartz. This type of quartz exists as a tiny crystals which are formed in lumps shape having no external crystal form yet each of these crystals are a genuine crystal. This form of quartz is also known as chalcedony. Green chalcedony having red flecks is called bloodstone. The stone is believed to form during the crucifixion of Christ. That’s the reason, bloodstone is the favorite material for religious carving specially crucifixion.  This stone is normally found in riverbeds or embedded in rocks.

In middle ages, bloodstone was used to treat nosebleeds. Powdered and mixed with white of egg and honey, this magical stone has the healing powers to cure tumors and stop all kinds of hemorrhage. It was also believed to draw out poison & venom of snakes.