The Laings Journal
For those looking for the perfect piece of jewellery for a milestone birthday, why not get something featuring the birthstone of whoever you are giving the gift to? Birthstones are symbolic of specific months, and are often found in rings, bracelets or necklaces.
A little known fact however is that there is often more than one choice when it comes to birthstones, there is the option of a traditional or alternative birthstone which has allowed precious stones that have only recently been discovered to be part of the selection. This means that even if a person is not keen on their original birthstone you can still find them a meaningful birthday gift by choosing the alternative stone.
Birthstones - Traditional & Alternative
January – Garnet July – Ruby, Carnelian
February – Amethyst August – Peridot, Sardonyx
March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone September – Sapphire, Lapis
April – Diamond, Rock Crystal October – Opal, Pink Tourmaline
May – Emerald, Chrysopras November – Topaz, Citrine
June – Pearl, Smokey Quartz December – Tanzanite, Turquoise
Properties
Garnet - From the Latin "granatus" meaning grain so called because of its resemblance to the pomegranate seed, Garnet is associated with healing fevers and depression and is said to encourage creativity and passion.
Amethyst - For many years this precious purple stone was said to protect the wearer from becoming intoxicated from alcohol (although we wouldn't encourage anyone to test this theory) nowadays it is symbolic of peace and tranquility and is often worn as an amulet against negativity.
Aquamarine - From the Latin "Aqua Marina" (Sea Water) this gem was said to belong to Neptune the God of the Sea and was fabled as a protector of sailors from the perils of the ocean. Aquamarine is described as a calming stone that brings relaxation and can influence intelligence and courage.
Diamond - Diamonds are found in all the colours of the rainbow, however the diamond in its purest white form with the ability to reflect light in a dazzling way is indeed the most coveted. Diamonds are famous for strength, beauty and power but first and foremost they are an undeniable symbol of eternal love and are still the most popular gemstone used for engagement rings today.
Emerald - The story of the emerald goes as far back as ancient Egyptian times and was documented as the preferred stone of the iconic Cleopatra, it is incredibly difficult to find truly pure emeralds and in this condition they can often be worth much more than diamonds of the same carat weight. Emeralds have been described as the psychical manifestation of rebirth and are said to bring peace and good fortune to the life of the owner.
Pearl - In Greek mythology Pearls were said to be the tears of the Gods, later and in history they featured heavily in the gowns and jewellery of Royal Brides. Staggeringly rare, the pearl has the unique accolade of being the only gemstone created by a living creature - organically grown within a mollusk or oyster they are truly a miracle of nature. Pearls are said to be the bringers of wisdom and integrity and have been regarded for many years to have stress relieving proprieties.
Ruby - Ancient Hindu culture believed that the Ruby had an inextinguishable internal flame and is adored world wide for its vivacious red colour. There are many myths surrounding this deep, mystical stone but the most fascinating is the legend that it grows darker in colour when the wearer is in danger. The ruby is said to encourage imagination and clarity and is a talisman against self-destructive behavior.
Peridot - This fresh, green stone is associated with the Goddess of volcanoes and fire because it is found within molten lava, the stone is considered to encourage good friendships and confidence in your decisions.
Sapphire - The sapphire is second in popularity to the diamond and the stone of choice for great figures of history such as King Solomon who was said to wear a sapphire for protection. Sapphires are often associated with spirituality, it is told that they can bring out honesty and encourage communication between friends and family.
Opal - Due to the magical colour-play of the opal it was believed it could reflect the mood of the wearer, the stone is found in the fissures of rock and the shimmering array of mesmerizing colour is achieved by the presence of water during the formation of the stone. In ancient times it was said to make the wearer invisible if they did not want to be noticed but more recently the stone has been linked with women as a calming influence during childbirth.
Topaz - Topaz is best known in its warm golden yellow shade, but exists in many other colours such as blue, green and pink. The traditional yellow topaz is detailed in history as healing stone that brings our kindness an empathy in the owner and most importantly said to inspire a healthy natural sleep.
Turquoise - The mixture of vibrant blue with the earthy brown was considered by the Native Americans as as a combination of energy from the sky and the earth. These days it advised to wear this stone close to the body to help absorb negativity, turquoise is also reported to be a treatment for minor ailments such as headaches, mild asthma and ear infections.
There is no rule stating that you can only give someone jewellery featuring their birthstone, however, so don’t worry if you think the person you are buying for would prefer something else. When it comes to gifts, the most important thing is that it feels personal and well thought out. If you already know what the person’s favourite type of jewel or jewellery is, getting them something incorporating this would show how well you know them and how much you care.