June Birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone

June is only one two of months which has 3 birthstones.  June birthdays have a choice of alexandrite, pearl or moonstone.  

Alexandrite was the official gemstone of Imperial Russia as it changes from green to red.  A comparatively late starter in the gemstone world, it was discovered in 1834 in the Russian emerald mines located in the Ural mountains.  It was found on the same day Alexander II came of age, hence the name.  Alexandrite is a chameleon gemstone as the colour shifts from emerald to ruby.  It is now mined mostly in Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa,  Alexandrite is supposed to help concentration and learning, inspire imagination, intuition and improve creativity.

Pearls are the only gemstones made by living creatures (mollusks).  The most expensive pearls are a creamy white with an iridescent sheen. Cultured pearls can be dyed any colour. Black pearls are mostly purple, green or silver dyed black as authentic black pearls are very rare and very expensive. Natural pearling is now mostly confined to the Persian Gulf.  Australia has one of the few diving fleets, harvesting pearls in the Indian ocean.  Fresh water pearls come from China.  Pearls symbolise purity and innocence.    

Moonstone was named by the Roman natural historian Phiny who felt that the colours in moonstone shifted in sync with the moon.  The most expensive moonstones (colourless with a blue hue)  are mined in Sri Lanka.  Moonstones are also mined in India, Madagascar, US and Australia.  It is a relative weak stone, prone to cracking.  As per the name, moonstone is associated with lunar energy, mystic and magic.  It is supposed to have calming, balancing energies. It is rumoured to be the ultimate fertility crystal, sparking new relationships and reigniting old ones.  Moonstone is also known as the traveller's stone and is believed to protect travellers at night.  It is used to ward off insomnia,  sleepwalking, encourage a good nights sleep.

March Birthstones: Aquamarine & Bloodstone

Aquamarine is one of the birthstones for March.  Mainly mined in Brazil, it is also found in Pakistan, Zambia and Madagascar. Its is the symbol for and represents youth, health and hope.  The stone is supposed to bring happiness and self expression to the wearer.  The colour of the stone varies from pale to deep blue and it is often compared to the colour of the sea (don't think they mean the North Sea though!).  The name comes from the Latin "aqua" meaning water and "marine" meaning sea.  

                                                          

Bloodstone is the second birthstone for March.  It is a dark green stone with flecks of dark red   iron oxide.  It is found primarily in Brazil, Australia and India.  Today it is regarded as lucky charm     or amulet for athletes and it is associated with boosting mental clarity or overall energy and  increasing creativity.

#October Birthstones: #Tourmaline & #Opal

October birthdays have a choice of two gemstones: tourmaline and opal.  Tourmaline is a bi or tri colour gemstone as they display several colours - watermelon tourmaline for example has bands of green, pink and white. Tourmaline is found in Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa and the USA.  Tourmaline helps to maintain calm, negate jealousy and anger whilst promoting peace and tranquillity for the wearer.  

                                                            

Opal is taken from the Greek Opallos - to see a change of colours.  Opals range from milky white to black with flashes of colour - orange, green red and blue. Opal is supposed to have healing properties, will calm the wearer's nerves and improve their memory.

#sapphire, #September's #Birthstone

Sapphire is the birthstone for September.  The word sapphire comes from the Latin saphirus and Greek sapherius meaning "blue".  It is one of the oldest gemstones, seen as a valuable stone since 800BC.  Sapphire is the stone of calm, wisdom, prophecy and royalty.  Sapphire is purported to bring protection to the wearer, good fortune, spiritual insight and blue sapphire is the stone of love and commitment.

The only difference between a ruby and a sapphire is the colour.  It is almost as hard as a diamond (9 v 10) so is very easy to clean and take care of without fear of chipping!

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Peridot: August Birthstone

Peridot, the August birthstone symbolizes strength, morality and beauty.  It is sometimes called evening emerald due to its light green hue and is associated with peace, good fortune and happiness. It was once believed that the green stones found in Peridot is believed to have magical powers with healing abilities that protect wearers against evil. The metaphysical properties found in this lovely gem of August are fame, protection and dignity. ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. When set in gold, peridot  was supposed to protect the wearer from nightmares. Peridot is believed to have magical powers with healing abilities that protect wearers against evil. The metaphysical properties found in peridot are fame, protection and dignity.