Gemstones

The birthstone for the month of May. Agate is a variety of quartz and can be found in a range of colours, including blue, green, pink, and brown. Agate gets its name from the River Achates in Sicily (now called Drillo River), where it was originally found. Ancient warriors used agate as a talisman for courage and strength. It is considered a protective stone and shields against negative energies and emotional stress. Agate has a soothing energy that helps alleviate emotional tension. It encourages self-acceptance and self-confidence. It’s particularly beneficial for those dealing with grief, trauma, or anxiety.

Amazonite, also known as Amazon Jade or Amazon Stone, ranges in colour from bright green to paler shades of turquoise, sometimes with white, yellow, or grey portions. Since ancient times, Amazonite has been used in jewellery and beads for its healing and prosperity properties. Amazonite tempers aggression, tames irrational thoughts and stills inner disquiet. It provides harmony and balance.

The birthstone for the month of February. Amethyst is a variety of quartz and ranges in colour from deep purples to soft lilacs and pink hues. The ancient Greeks believed it prevented intoxication. Amethyst is associated with nobility and royalty. It symbolizes peace and spiritual protection. It is known for its healing properties, encourages clarity of thought and calms the emotions.

The birthstone for the month of March. Aquamarine ranges in colour from vivid aqua blue to pastel green. The name “Aquamarine” comes from the Latin “aqua marinus,” meaning “water of the sea,”. In ancient lore, Aquamarine was believed to be the treasure of mermaids and was used by sailors as a talisman of good luck, fearlessness, and protection. Aquamarine is believed to assist with throat infections, swollen glands, and other throat-related issues. It soothes unpleasant emotions such as grief and loneliness, calms fear and promotes tranquility.

Aventurine is generally green, but it can also range in colour from orange, brown, yellow, blue or grey. It is known for its shimmering and glittery appearance. This unique quality is caused by tiny inclusions of mica or other minerals within the quartz matrix. The name Aventurine is derived from the Italian word "a ventura," meaning "chance" or "risk”. It is believed to have been used by ancient Tibetans to decorate statues, with the shimmering effect enhancing the statues' visionary powers. It is also regarded as a stone of opportunity that is believed to attract prosperity.

The birthstone for the month of November. Citrine is a beautiful gemstone known for its vibrant yellow colour and it is a variety of quartz. It is typically a yellow or golden colour, although it can range from pale yellow to deep orange. Naturally occurring citrines are an extremely rare find in nature. However, citrines can be created by treating smokey quartz stones and amethysts with heat. During ancient times, citrine was carried as protection against evil thoughts and snake venom. Citrine is often associated with abundance, prosperity and optimism and is said to alleviate depression. It is believed to promote joy, success, happiness and positive energy.

The traditional birthstone for the month of April. Diamonds are the hardest known naturally occurring material, renowned for their brilliance, durability and rarity. The colour of a diamond is graded on a scale from D (being colourless) to Z (being yellowish). The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods and the ancient Indians believed that the wearer of a diamond possessed supernatural powers. They have been prized for centuries as symbols of love, wealth and status. They are believed to promote strength, courage and purity.

Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of May. Emeralds are known for their vibrant green colour, often with a bluish or yellowish hue. The ancient Egyptians regarded the emerald as a stone for fertility, rebirth and immortality. In ancient times, the emerald was believed to comfort and soothe the eyes. In fact, it is interesting to note that during the time of Hippocrates, emeralds were crushed into a powder and made into a lotion to soothe the eyes. Emeralds are often associated with wisdom and believed to promote vision, balance and emotional healing.

Fluorite, also called “the rainbow stone”, is a stunning gemstone renowned for its wide array of colours and its unique property of fluorescence. Fluorite is known for its ability to emit light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence. It's often referred to as the most colourful mineral in the world. It can be found in various colours, including purple, green, yellow, blue, pink, and even colourless. It is often associated with mental clarity, focus and emotional balance. It is regarded as an aid for learning and lateral thinking and also believed to improve one’s ability to concentrate.

The birthstone for the month of January. Garnets are known for their wide range of colours and durability. They can be found in almost any colour, including red, pink, green, yellow, orange and brown. Traditionally, the most popular colour for a garnet is a deep wine-red. The Greeks referred to garnets as “nuktalopos” meaning lamp stone as they believed that wearing a garnet around the neck gave one the ability to see in the dark. Garnets are often used as healing crystals, believed to promote energy, vitality and emotional balance. They are often associated with passion, courage and prosperity.

Jade is known for its wide range of colours, from emerald green to lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black and grey. The name Jade originates from the Spanish expression “piedra de ijada”, which literally means “stone of the pain in the side.” The Spanish explorers named it after they saw natives holding the stone to their sides - to cure or relieve various aches and pains. Jade has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years, including the Chinese, Mayan, and Olmec. In Chinese culture, Jade is considered a symbol of purity, wisdom, and longevity. Jade is often associated with healing properties, including promoting balance, harmony, and peace. Jade is a stone of serenity which is thought to alleviate anxiety, fear and to promote good luck. A traditional charm for gardeners, Jade is said to ensure bountiful harvests.

Jasper is considered to be one of the traditional birthstones for the month of March. Jasper is a variety of quartz that is known for its opaque, earthy colours and often displays intricate patterns and banding. It comes in a vast array of hues, ranging from red and brown to green, yellow, and blue. The word Jasper originates from Old French and means “a speckled or spotted stone”. It was one of the most loved gemstones of the ancient world. Jasper is believed to promote grounding, stability, and protection. It is also associated with relaxation, compassion and nurturing. Jasper is said to relieve mental stress and aids in achieving balance in life.

Lapis lazuli is a captivating gemstone known for its intense blue colour, often with flecks of gold pyrite. The name Lapis Lazuli is derived from the Latin words “lapis” meaning stone and “lazulum” meaning blue or heaven. It has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years, including the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and the Greeks. It is an ancient stone said to represent wisdom, truth and royalty. In ancient Egypt, it was used to create amulets and jewellery for the pharaohs.

Malachite is usually opaque and comes in a vivid bluish green to vibrant green colour, often with banded or concentric patterns. The name Malachite derives from the Greek word “Moloche” which means mallow, because the stone is the same colour as that of mallow leaves. It has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It is often associated with protection, transformation, and healing as it is believed that Malachite blocks and absorbs EMF pollution and all types of negative energy like no other gemstone can.  It is said to heal and improve immune system functions and promote emotional balance. 

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Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of June. Moonstone (known as the mystical gem), is a captivating gemstone known for its iridescent sheen, often referred to as "adularescence." This ethereal glow is caused by the interference of light as it passes through thin layers of feldspar within the stone. It is typically translucent to transparent, with a milky or bluish hue. Moonstone varieties include blue-sheen moonstone, rainbow moonstone (though not a real moonstone) and star moonstone. The Roman historian Pliny named this gemstone when he wrote that moonstone's shimmery appearance shifted alongside the phases of the moon - a belief that was held until well after the sixteenth century. Moonstone is often associated with the moon, femininity, and intuition. It's believed to promote peace, tranquility and emotional balance and has long been regarded as the gemstone for psychic abilities.

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Also considered a birthstone for the month of July. Onyx is a variety of chalcedony, a silicate mineral known for its parallel bands of colour, most commonly black and white. They are typically black, but can also be found in white, brown or other colours. The name Onyx originates from the Greek word “onux”, meaning fingernail. Roman mythology states that whilst the goddess Venus slept, Cupid clipped her fingernails and in order to immortalize every part of her body, the fates turned the clippings to stone. During ancient times, people wore black onyx as a talisman to ward off evil and negative energy. Onyx is often associated with strength, protection and grounding. It is believed to promote willpower, concentration and emotional balance.

The birthstone for the month of October. Opal is a unique gemstone known for its play of colour, a phenomenon called "opalescence." This vibrant display of colour is caused by the diffraction of light as it passes through microscopic silica spheres within the stone. Most opals are white but can be black or transparent with flecks of colour. The name Opal is derived from the Latin word “opalus”, meaning stone. In the Middle Ages, the opal was known as the “eye stone” as it was believed to be vital to good eyesight. Blonde women were also encouraged to wear necklaces of opal in order to protect their hair from losing its vibrant colour. Opals are often associated with hope, purity, and innocence. They're also believed to promote creativity, imagination, inspiration and emotional healing

The traditional birthstone for the month of June. Pearls are organic gems formed within the soft tissues of certain mollusks, such as oysters and clams. They are prized for their lustrous sheen, often with a subtle iridescent effect. Pearls can be found in a variety of colours, including white, cream, pink, blue, black and golden or brown. Pearls can also have numerous shapes, like spherical, oval, pear-shaped, baroque (irregular) or other shapes. Freshwater pearls offer a wider variety of colours, shapes and sizes than any other type of pearl. Pearls are often associated with purity, wisdom, wealth and femininity. They are also believed to promote peace, tranquility and emotional balance and to enhance emotional intelligence.

The traditional birthstone for the month of August. Peridots are a volcanic crystal and typically a vibrant green colour, which can range from pale yellow-green to deep olive green. Sometimes, Peridot can also be found inside meteorites! The ancient Egyptians called Peridot the “gem of the sun” and therefore Peridot is often associated with the sun, hope and prosperity. It is believed to promote strength, vitality and emotional balance. Peridot is also thought to boost creativity and improve one’s mood.

Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of January. Rose Quartz is a variety of quartz known for its soft pink, although it can range from pale pink to deep rose. It is associated with love, self-love and compassion. Rose Quartz is believed to promote emotional healing, reduce stress and to bring peace and calm to relationships. It is also often related to gentleness and fertility.

The birthstone for the month of July. They are known for their vibrant red colour, often with a blue or purple hue. The word ruby originates from the Latin word “ruber” which means red. Ruby’s are one of the rarest, most expensive gemstones and a symbol of passion. They are often associated with power, love, wealth and vitality and are believed to promote energy, courage and emotional balance. Some ancient cultures believed that rubies ensured wealth, success and a long life.

The birthstone for the month of September. Whilst sapphires can come in a variety of colours, the most famous and sought-after sapphires are blue. The intensity and hue of the blue can vary, with darker, richer blues being more valuable. The ancient Persians believed that the entire world rested upon a pedestal which was made of a blue sapphire, giving the sky its beautiful colour. The Greeks wore sapphires for guidance when they sought answers from the oracle and the Buddhists believes that it brings spiritual enlightenment. Sapphires are often associated with wisdom, loyalty and truth. They're believed to promote focus, clarity and emotional balance.

The birthstone for the month of December. Tanzanite is a relatively new gemstone as it was only discovered in Tanzania in 1967. It is known for its vibrant blue colour which can range from violet-blue to purplish-blue. Tanzanite is often used as a healing crystal, believed to promote communication, creativity and emotional balance. Tanzanite is also associated with wisdom, intuition and spiritual growth.

Tiger’s eye is also a variety of quartz known for its shimmering effect that resembles the eye of a tiger, hence its name. This unique property is caused by the alignment of needle-like crystals of crocidolite within the quartz matrix. It is typically a golden brown, but can also be found in yellow, red or blue. Tiger's eye is often used as a healing crystal, believed to promote grounding, courage, perseverance and focus. Golden brown tiger's eye is often used to aid in releasing fear and anxiety.

Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of November. Topaz can be found in almost any colour, including pink, blue, yellow, green, red and brown. It is thought that the name was derived from the Red Sea island “Topazios”. The ancient Greeks and Romans used topaz for strength and in order to prevent injuries. It is often associated with wisdom, strength and abundance. It is also believed to promote clarity, focus, creativity and emotional balance.

Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of October. Tourmaline or “the rainbow gem” is a stunning gemstone known for its wide range of colours and its pleochroic properties, meaning it can appear in different colours depending on the angle of light. It can be found in almost any colour, including pink, green, blue, yellow, red and black. The ancient Egyptians believed that Tourmalines got their stunning colours because they broke through a rainbow while moving up through the earth. Tourmaline is believed to promote balance, harmony and spiritual growth. It is also used to calm nerves, soothe grief, promote balance and build self-confidence.

Also considered to be the birthstone for the month of December. Turquoise is a captivating gemstone known for its vibrant blue colour, often with streaks of green or brown. Turquoise has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years, including the Egyptians, Greeks and Native Americans. Native Americans associated the colour of turquoise with the blue sky and green earth. Turquoise may very well be the first stone ever mined and the evidence suggests that it may have been mined as far back as 4 000 B.C. The Roman historian Pliny referred to Turquoise as “callais”, the Greek word for beautiful stone. This gemstone was only referred to as Turquoise much later on. Turquoise is often associated with wisdom, protection and good fortune. It is believed to promote communication, creativity and emotional balance.