January
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Garnet
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Found in many different shades, deep red is the most popular
colour of the garnet. Representing faith, this birthstone
was believed to provide the wearer with health and good
fortune, and to exercise a calming influence. It was also
thought that Garnets gave the wearer peaceful sleep and
protection from nightmares.
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February
|
Amethyst
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This birthstone from the quartz family was believed by
the ancient Greeks to ward off the heady effects of wine.
Indeed, legend has it, the god Bacchus gave the stone its
colour by pouring the juice of the grape over a pure white
stone. The amethyst symbolises humour and wit and was reputed
to sharpen the mind and intellect.
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March
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Aquamarine
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The traditional stone for March is Aquamarine, a transparent
pale-blue stone from the beryl family, which also included
Emerald. Since earliest times Aquamarines have been said
to bestow courage in times of adversity, bringing serenity
and hidden strength, like the waters of the ocean after
which this beautiful stone is named.
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April
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Diamond
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For fuller details on Diamonds please visit our Diamond
information sheet
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May
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Emerald
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Known as the Gem of Spring, this beautiful green stone
is a variety of Beryl and was thought to foretell the future.
The ancients of Peru believed the Emerald ripened like
the fruit on a tree, turning from clear to green as it
faced the sun. The stone was often carried by travellers
on land or sea as a talisman to safeguard their journey.
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June
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Moonstone & Pearl
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The June birthstone possesses an iridescent quality, represented
here by pearl and moonstone. Pearls have long been regarded
as symbols of nobility representing beauty, modesty and
purity. Moonstone - so called because of its silvery white
sheen - is the gift for lovers. Symbolising passion, this
stone was believed to bestow the power of clairvoyancy.
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July
|
Ruby
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Known as the 'Gem of Summer', ruby is the red variety
of Corundum and is the sister stone of Sapphire. Rubies
symbolise love and in the past, it was believed they possessed
the power to bestow peace and harmony. Also the wearer
of a Ruby was thought to be protected from the discord
and all perils of war.
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August
|
Peridot
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The Peridot symbolises luck and success. These olive green
stones were originally collected on the Isle of St John
in the Red Sea around 1500 B.C. for the Egyptian Kings.
Legend has it, that to exert it's fullest power, Peridot
should be "set in Gold and worn thus, dispels fear
of the dark and is a potent amulet against all evil"
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September
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Sapphire
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Sapphire is the usually blue variety of corundum. In the
Orient, kings wore it around their necks as a defence from
harm and it was thought that merely looking upon this stone
would bring luck. Known as the 'Gem of Autumn', sapphires
were regarded as powerful talismans of faith and good fortune.
Pink Sapphires suddenly have become popular in fashion.
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October
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Opal
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Derived from the Latin 'Opalus' - precious stone - opals
were highly prized by their ancient Romans. Their varying
shades of soft colour make each Opal unique and it was
believed they possessed magical powers. Denoting health
and purity, opal was thought to protect the wearer from
disease and to possess the gift of prophecy
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November
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Citrine
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The word citrine is derived from the Latin 'Citrus' meaning
lemon and describes a transparent Quartz stone in shades
ranging from yellow to orange. Symbolising generosity,
this delicate coloured stone as thought to safeguard secrets
and was regarded as a stone of mystery and subtlety.
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December
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Turquoise
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Highly valued by the ancient Chinese and the Aztecs, turquoise
was widely thought to prevent injury, especially from falling.
The Turks (after whom the stone was named) attached them
to their horse's bridles for protection. Representing happiness
and luck,its powers are said to be the greatest when the
stone is received as a gift.
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