The meaning of birthstones
26/04/2009
Have you ever wondered what your birthstone is, whether it really means anything - or even where the whole idea of birthstones comes from? According to jewellery expert Chloe Tomasik, they are not just a marketing ploy, but have a long and well documented lineage.
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Diamond - April's birthstone
April’s birthstone, the diamond, is the most hyped-up of all the gems, standing as a symbol of power, wealth, love and, of course a jet-set 007 lifestyle. At red carpet events stars drip exquisite sparkly jewels (usually borrowed for the occasion), and at big state events the larger more solid designs come out of safes.
"Beryl" the aquamarine - March's birthstone
March’s birthstone is the beautiful blue gem, aquamarine. It comes from the same family as the emerald - the beryl. Unfortunately, in the bible and other ancient texts emeralds and aquamarines were both called 'beryls', and it wasn’t until the 1600’s that the name aquamarine came into universal usage.
February's birthstone: amethyst
If you were born in February, embrace the amethyst -renowned for its influence over everything from inebriation and psychic powers to piety and protection.
Garnets - January's birthstone, beloved of the Ancient Egyptians
Garnets have been used for healing, firing out of guns and payment to the gods to ensure safe passage for the dead. But they can also be a beautiful addition to anyone's jewellery collection, says Chloe Tomasik.
December's Birthstone - Turquoise: the choice of Cleopatra
When I was 10 years old I found out that my birthstone was a turquoise.
I was absolutely heartbroken. Turquoises didn’t sparkle...so what changed my view?
November's birthstone: flaming Topaz
Topaz, November's birthstone, is an old gem, and the name comes from the Sanskrit word "Tapas" meaning fire. The ancient Egyptians attributed its beautiful golden colour to the sun god Ra and wore it as an amulet to protect them from harm.
The enigmatic opal
Opal is October’s birthstone - arguably the most enigmatic stone of the twelve. The name opal comes from the Sanskrit ‘upala’ or the Greek ‘opallos’ meaning colour change. They are cut semi spherical and when you look at them you can see flashes of bright red, green and blue on a dark or cream background. The more spectacular the colour change, the more valuable the stone.
September's birthstone: Sapphire - the medieval super-stone
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Sapphire is September’s birthstone and 'super-stone' of the medieval period. It kept the clergy clean, the apothecaries in business, the assassinations at bay, and was the must-have item on all good witches’ wish lists.
The birthstone from outer space!
The August birthstone, Peridot, is out of this world - literally says gemstone expert Chloe Tomasik. And wearing one is supposed to encourage love, luck, prosperity and promote emotional well-being.
Rubies: faithless wives, passion and power
The Hindus valued rubies more that any other stone calling them "ratnaraj" (king of precious stones), and believed that wearing rubies conferred perfect safety to the wearer - especially if worn on the left side. This month Chloe Tomasik explores the facts, myths and meanings associated with July's birthstone: the ruby.
June's birthstone: pearl
June's birthstone is the pearl, the symbol of purity and innocence - and until the early 1900s more valuable than diamonds. Pearls are the earliest gem known to man - after all it only needed one prehistoric fisherman looking for food to open an oyster and find the pearl! No digging, polishing or enhancing required.
Birthstones: May is for Emeralds
Chloe Tomasik reveals the history and myths surrounding May's birthstone.