December Birthstone: Blue Topaz
Explanations below of each stone and what they can do for you, or for whom you are gifting, as far as healing purposes:
Garnet - Birthstone: January and Capricorn
Garnet is the traditional birthstone for the month of January and may be given as a gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary. Most commonly found in round, oval, and cushion cuts, this versatile gem comes in a variety of colors. From the deep burgundy red variety to vibrant greens, orange and brown hues, as well as pinks and purples.
Garnet comes from the Latin word, "granatus" which means grain. That is because many garnet deposits are small grains of red crystals in or on their host rock, reminiscent of the seeds of a pomegranate. Garnet is not artificially enhanced in any way.
Garnet has been linked to mental, physical, spiritual health, chakras' energy, whose healing power followers of the New Age, Psychic Healing and Atlantis and Crystal Healers have long revered for relieving pain, stress, depression, anxiety in the mind, body and spirit. Spiritual Healers believe this approach to alternative medicine is essential for ensuring health.
As a healer and protector from toxins, garnet is recognized as a remedy in the body's fight against food poisoning and blood toxicity. It is also known for aiding in treatments against infection of the kidney, lung and facial (irritations, inflammation and blemishes) and area. The garnet family is also an aid to therapy for disorders of the heart (including low blood pressure), bones and spine, blood, pulmonary and even sleeping disorders. It has even been noted to provide gallstone relief and also work down to a cellular level.
Amethyst - Birthstone: February and Aquarius
Amethyst is the February birthstone and the gemstone for the sixth anniversary of marriage. It is the purple variety of quartz and is one of the most popular gemstones. They have been sought after by Royalty throughout the ages as symbols of Wisdom, Strength and Confidence. In addition to Royalty, the amethyst's luminous quality, its spectacular play of light, and its role as a protective stone meant they were also worn by bishops.
Amethyst is one gemstone that is believed to have many metaphysical properties that are favorable to human beings, with crystal healing therapists saying that the amethyst has a sobering and cleansing effect on the body and calming qualities which allows the stone to be associated with peace. Amethyst can also assist with the reduction of addictions such as alcohol, drugs, smoking and other compulsive type of behaviors . It has been known to have a relieving effect on stress, grief, depression and emotional despair.
Amethyst as a healing stone contains sobering and calming qualities which allow this stone to be commonly associated with peace. Amethyst is known to calm and protect the mind. It soothes those who have engaged in constant rigorous mental activity. It has been deemed "nature's tranquilizer" by many healers because of it's effectiveness in relaxing not only the mind but also the nervous system. Those who wear amethyst jewelry and who have been recommended to wear this stone for healing purposes have done so because of its tranquil qualities and it's ability reduce negativity and alleviate anxiety.
Amethyst is associated with water. Energies seem to flow easily through it. It is a wonderful meditation and healing crystal.
Amethyst - Headaches, eyes, scalp, hair, pituitary gland, balancing blood sugar. Purify and transmute negativity. Reduce anger, impatience, and nightmares. Spiritually uplifting helping to open your third eye and be more psychically open.
Besides being a stone of tranquility and repose, amethyst is also known to enhance mental strength, stability, and vigor. It also is protective in averting the mind from psychic attacks and transforming negative energy in to that of positive and tranquil tenacity. It is also used to bring understanding of all that is transitional, especially death and rebirth. It can provide security and peace of mind (along with understanding) when a loved one is lost or reborn. It is said to also have a relieving effect on stress, grief, depression, emotional despair and ineffective communication.
It's tranquil sobering effect allows those who are energetic to relax. It also is a cure for insomnia and nightmares and makes the intuition sensitive to understanding that outside of scientific reasoning. It has been known to treat various types of blood disease and balancing blood sugar. Amethyst as a healing stone or crystal is used to treat and heal problems involving the central nervous system. Amethyst is a treatment for both convulsions and neuralgia.
Aquamarine - Birthstone: March and Pisces
Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March and is one of the most popular and best-known gemstones. It is a symbol of youth, hope, health and fidelity. Aquamarine was long thought to have a soothing influence on married couples, making it a good anniversary gift.
It is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. It gets its name from Latin words meaning water and sea.
The most common cut for an aquamarine is the emerald type, followed by oval or pear shaped cuts. There are many myths and legends about the aquamarine stone. The Greeks and the Romans considered the aquamarine the most appropriate gift to give to a bride by her groom following the consummation of their marriage. In the middle Ages the aquamarine was thought to be the most effective for fortune telling.
There are also many who regard it as a healing stone that aids in fluid retention, a further association with the water aspects of aquamarine.
Aquamarine - Helps to heal your heart, immune system, thymus, lymph nodes. It is calming, uplifting, flexibility, innocence, joy, creativity, communication, self-knowledge, confidence, purpose. This stone helps you to release anxiety, fear, and restlessness.
The best way to clean your aquamarine jewelry is with plain, warm soapy water and a soft tooth brush. The hardness of the gem makes it very tough and protects it to a large extent from scratches.
Diamond - Birthstone: April and Aries
For those who were born in the month of April the Diamond is the traditional birthstone. The Diamond reflects some of the properties with which the Diamond is associated - enhancing relationships and increasing inner strength. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the Diamond are balance, clarity and abundance. The healing properties of the Diamond is reputed to be effective for health problems relating to brain diseases, pituitary glands. The Diamond is also used to draw out toxins and therefore was used as a remedy for poison.
For those who were born in the month of April the Diamond is their traditional birthstone. The history, myths, legends and folklore surrounding the magical properties of different birthstones have been handed down through the ages and from different civilization's.
Emerald - Birthstone: May and Taurus
For those who were born in the month of May the Emerald is the traditional birthstone. The May birthstone reflects some of the properties with which the Emerald is associated - loyalty, faithfulness and friendship. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the May Birthstone Emerald are memory, clairvoyance and faith. The healing properties of the May birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the eyes, fertility, the spine and headaches. The Emerald is also used to enhance mental capabilities.
The traditional color associated with the Emerald is the deep green color and was strongly favored as a popular gem in Victorian jewelry. The meaning of colors through the ages represented many aspects of life. Social, religious, biblical and Christian symbolism were all reflected in the color green! The symbolic meaning of the color green was renewal of life and nature in Feng Shui it will bring you money.
By weight the emerald is the most valuable gemstone in the world. The Emerald is a member of the Beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) family. For those who were born in the month of May the Emerald is the traditional birthstone. The history, myths, legends and folklore surrounding the magical properties of different birthstones have been handed down through the ages and from different civilization's.
Emerald healing properties: Respiratory system, heart, lymph nodes, blood, thymus, balance blood sugar, childbirth, eyesight. Strengthen heart chakra for abundance, growth, peace, harmony, patience, love, monogamy, honesty. Lift depression and insomnia.
Pearl - Birthstone: June and Gemini
For those who were born in the month of June the Pearl is the traditional birthstone. The June birthstone reflects some of the properties with which the Pearl is associated - loyalty, faithfulness and friendship. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the June Birthstone Pearl are modesty, chastity and purity.
The healing properties of the June birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the heart, spleen, stomach, intestine and ulcer problems. The Pearl is also used to enhance personal integrity. The Pearl stands for total trust and integrity and sheer class.
Pearls attune the wearer to ebb and flow of life. They are calming and centering. They give purity and promote faith, charity, and integrity, truth and loyalty. They especially enhance personal integrity. They help one connect with the Goddess, the ultimate feminine energy. Pearls have been used to treat disorders of the digestive tract and muscular systems, as well as to aid fertility and to ease childbirth.
Pearls are word at weddings, proms, coming out parties, funerals, christenings, church and court they are known for being appropriate in many social settings, always a touch of class. Usually Pearls are handed down from one generation to the next generation. I know I have my Grandmothers and my Mothers and I wear them all the time.
Color of the Pearl: The traditional color associated with the Pearl is the milky white color and was strongly favored as a popular gem in Victorian jewelry. Pearls come in a wide variety of colors ranging from white to black. The color of a pearl might be classed as white, silver, cream-colored, gold, green, blue or black.
A smooth lustrous round structure having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found inside the shell of a mollusk such as a clam or oyster. It is formed due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and compare in value with precious stones. Real pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks whilst imitation pearls are man-made. Clean carefully.
Ruby - Birthstone: July and Cancer
For those who were born in the month of July the Ruby is the traditional birthstone. The July birthstone reflects some of the properties with which the Ruby is associated - devotion, integrity, courage and happiness. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the July Birthstone Ruby stand for vitality, confidence and strength.
In many countries Ruby is now the engagement ring along with sapphire.
The healing properties of the July birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the blood and infection and increasing positive thought patterns. The Ruby is also used to enhance energy, generosity and to bring prosperity and success.
As a psychic, Tonya Somers, I recommend that people wear Rubies each day. Rubies tend to send dark energy far from you that is aimed at you in anyway at work or play the darkness can not and will not get to you physically. Say you work around someone that is always sick or just depressed wear your ruby and you will not go home at the end of your work day depressed or tired.
The traditional color associated with the Ruby is the deep red color and was strongly favored as a popular gem in Victorian jewelry. The meaning of colors through the ages represented many aspects of life. Social, religious, biblical and Christian symbolism are all reflected in the color Red! The symbolic meaning of the color red was of fire and was associated with power and importance. Which is another reason, Tonya Somers recommends wearing Rubies all the time, nothing dark or you can choose the word evil gets through Rubies. Hence, the Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz.
Rubies are extremely hard, second only to diamonds. Ruby: Infections, cholesterol, blood clots, blood cleansing, impotency. Stimulate circulation, menses, pituitary glands. Love, courage, confidence, vitality, stamina, royalty has word Rubies forever because it stands for strength, leadership, triumph over adversity. Rubies can intensify all emotions.
Peridot - Birthstone: August and Leo
Peridot and Sapphire are the birthstones for the month of August and the gem designated for the 16th wedding anniversary. It is one of the few gemstones which come in one color only. However it ranges in shades of green from pistachio to olive, dark lime and bottle green. The rich, green color with slight hints of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron actually present. Peridot is not a very hard gem. It is highly sensitive to rapid temperature changes and should not be cleaned in ultrasonic or steam cleaners. The best and safest way to clean your Peridot, is with warm, soapy water.
Historical legend has it that Peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. Throughout time many "emeralds" of royal treasures have turned out to be Peridot, and although Peridot is a uniquely different shade of green, many jewelers refer to it as the "evening emerald."
Peridot is considered a tonic for the whole body and protects the wearer from negativity. It is associated with stress reduction and relaxation. Ground Peridot, taken internally, was once used as a treatment for asthma. It was thought that Peridot brought power and influence to its owner.
Sapphire - Birthstone: September and Virgo
Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September and is also recommended as a gift for a couple's 5th or 45th anniversaries. It is in the same family as the ruby, corundum, the only difference being the color. The most desirable color sapphire is blue, although they also come in violet, dark gray, orange, yellow, pink, green and black. These different colored sapphires are referred to as "fancy sapphires" and are often less expensive than the blue ones.
Sapphire measures strong in hardness, which makes it a perfect choice for jewelry that needs to stand up to everyday wear, such as in rings or bracelets. A gift of a sapphire symbolizes a pledge of trust and loyalty. It is from this tradition that sapphire has long been a popular choice for engagement rings. Ancient lore about the gem refers to them as a stone of friendship and loyalty, prosperity and protection.
In the middle ages, people believed wearing a sapphire suppressed negative thoughts. It also has been long believed to have a curing power for natural ailments.
In parts of the Orient, Saturday was the day to dress in blue and wear blue sapphire. The color blue and the blue stone indicated wisdom, and generous thinking. It is also associated with the study of heaven and the stars. During the 11th and 12th centuries, sorcerers honored the sapphire more than any other stone as it enabled them to hear and understand the most obscure oracles. Not only did they help to get in touch with astral and psychic realms, but also they provided protection for those who took those journeys.
But the most important attribute of the sapphire was said to be the protection against sorcery- it was thought to banish evil spirits and send negative spells back to the sender. They also provided advanced warning against hidden dangers. As a tool for self improvement, sapphires are a wonderful way to keep your life in check. They are said to have a powerful and transformational gemstone energy that may work quickly and drastically. They will help you connect to the universe, that is, they can open your internal and spiritual self to the powers of the universe.
They are also thought to increase communication with, connection to, and awareness of spirit guides, or angels. They activate and manifest one's life purpose and focus and karmic agreements for soul growth. Psychologically, the sapphire helps maintain inner peace and are good for one's mental state. They calm nerves and promote mental clarity, helping with focus and concentration. They have also been used as remedies for mental and nervous disorders.
Working with sapphires helps promote a positive attitude towards life, promoting self motivation and helping move forward towards a path of self-fulfillment. Physically, sapphires promote general health. They are said to have powers in cooling fevers, protecting against mental illness and sharpening eyesight. One ancient recipe for eyesight was to powder the stone and mix it with vinegar. The same recipe was used to treat nosebleeds. Sapphires were also used to treat fevers and rheumatism. When treating boils and external ulcers, they were ground and mixed with milk. The paste was then applied to the afflicted area. They are also said to cure ulcers.
Sapphire: Reducing inflammation, fevers, nosebleeds. Hearing problems, TB, burns. Communication, depression, intuition, clairaudience, mental clarity and calm.
Opal - Birthstone: October and Libra
Opal is the birthstone for the month of October and the gemstone given to celebrate the 14th anniversary of marriage. The name opal comes from the Sanskrit upala, meaning "precious stone," and later evolved from the Greek "Opallus" which means to see a change in color.
All opals vary greatly in their ability to diffract light into flashes of rainbow color ranging from semi-transparent to opaque. Some have only red and orange lights, some have green, and some also have yellow and blue lights. Most opals are not faceted but cut into rounded or free-form cabochons that enhance their play of color.
Opals are thought of as a symbol of hope, fidelity, and purity, and were called the Queen of Gems by the ancient Romans because they encompass the colors of all other gems. An ancient Australian aborigines legend tells of the creator who came down to Earth on a rainbow, in order to bring the message of peace to all the humans. And at the very spot, where his foot touched the ground, the stones became alive and started sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow. That was the birth of the Opals.
They require special care to insure their health and longevity. DO NOT WASH YOUR DISHES, take it off.
Make sure you remove your ring before physical activities like gardening and sports. Because Opals are porous and absorb liquids, do not immerse the gem in liquid chemical solutions, like dishwater.
Citrine - Birthstone for November and Scorpio
Citrine is more than a gem for sure, it is a form of quartz and/or topaz, is an amber-colored gemstone. Citrine is one of the most affordable gemstones, thanks to the durability and availability of this golden quartz that ranges from yellow in color, pale champagne, light yellow and my favorite almost a vivid shade of orange.
It is often cut as a gemstone, but citrine is actually somewhat rare in nature. Citrines were popular back in ancient times, serving to provide protection against evil. Citrine is the signature of wisdom and peace. It also brings good fortune, and it promotes success and abundance. Citrine is one of the only stones that dissipates negative energy, and never requires cleansing or clearing. However, your inner sight and hearing will be opened by the Citrine, and this will prepare you to become more in tune with the other gemstone you are wearing. Citrine healing crystals energy empowers and inspires warmth, prosperity, and ease.
Blue Topaz - Birthstone: December and Sagittarius
Blue topaz is the birthstone for the month of December, and the stone given on the 4th and 19th wedding anniversaries. Topaz occurs naturally in many colors ranging from pink, orange, red and brown, but is heat treated to create the more popular blue hues. Sky Blue Topaz, Swiss Blue Topaz, London Blue Topaz are names used in the gem trades to refer to the depth of color.
Sky Blue is the lightest while London Blue is the darkest blue. The value of the blue topaz increases with its intensity of color. The process of irradiation to create the blue color in colorless topaz is a legitimate and widespread practice.
Topaz soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, motivates and aligns the meridians of the body - directing energy to where it is needed most. It promotes truth and forgiveness. Topaz brings joy, generosity, abundance and good health. Topaz aids digestion and combats eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. Fortifies the nerves and stimulates the metabolism.
It is known as a stone of love and good fortune. Releases tension, inducing relaxation. Topaz promotes openness and honesty, self-realization and self-control. It aids problem-solving and assists in expressing ideas. Stabilizes your emotions making you more receptive to love from all sources around your life.
Historically blue topaz has been considered a symbol of fidelity and love. It is believed to have healing properties as well and aids in one's ability to communicate and is an excellent stone to use for meditation. Blue Topaz brings truth and wisdom. Blue Topaz helps in bringing body, mind and spirit into union. It assists in recognizing where you have strayed from your own truth.
Topaz has been associated with aiding in depression by replacing negativity with love and joyfulness. It has also been known to enhance relaxation, creating lightness of spirit and promoting a sense of peace.
Topaz is a silicate mineral. Any Topaz can still crack fairly easily if dropped. The best way to clean topaz is with warm soapy water.
