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 Birthstones - Part 2 |
06 Mar 09 |
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Jean Fisher |
Birthstones - Part 2
Learn About Your Special Lucky Gem
July – Ruby
* When red, the mineral Corundum is called a ruby (other colors are considered sapphires)
*
The word ruby comes from the Latin word “rubeos” for red and the
ancient Hindus called the ruby the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems
* Symbolizes heat, passion and power
* Believed to make the wearer wise
* Powers include protection, healing and bringing love
* Ruling planets are Mars and Saturn
* Mohs hardness of 9.0
*
Some believe that a ruby will turn a darker color when danger is
imminent and return to their original color when the danger has passed
* Rubies stimulate the heart chakra, number four
August – Peridot
* Color is light green, yellow-green or olive green
* Peridot is a French word derived from the Arabic word "faridat" which means gem
* Symbolic of the sun and good luck
* Believed to protect against evil and nightmares
* Has the power to attract fame and fortune and bolster the confidence of an insecure person
* Ruled by Saturn, Venus and the sun, it appears almost clear in direct sunlight and retains color even in low light
* Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7
*
In the past, peridot was formed into goblets because legend claimed
that any medicine drank from the stone goblets had increased efficacy
* As a protection against jealousy, peridot relates to the fourth, heart chakra
September – Sapphire
* Any non-red form of corundum is classified as a sapphire, most typically they are blue
* Sapphire comes from the Persian word "safir", which means beloved of Saturn
* Symbolizes truth, sincerity and faithfulness
* Believed to make a stupid man wise and an bad-tempered man agreeable
* Has the power to protect against poverty and promote spiritual enlightenment
* Ruled by the planet Saturn
* Mohs hardness of 9.0
* The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a great sapphire and the blue of the sky was a reflection of the stone
* The sapphire represents the fifth chakra, the throat chakra
October – Opal
* The color of an opal is hard to describe, iridescent and changeable
*
The word originates from the Greek “opallus” which means to see a
change in color; the Romans called the opal "Cupid Paederos”, a child
as beautiful as love
* Symbolic of hope, innocence and purity
* Believed to cleanse foul-smelling air, it is considered bad luck to carry an opal if it is not your birthstone
* Powers include invisibility and protection against spiritual breakdown
* Ruled by the planet Venus
* Mohs hardness of 5 to 6.5
* The ancient Arabs claimed that opals fell to earth in flashes of lightning
* The opal is beneficial to all seven of the chakras
November – Citrine
* The golden quartz, citrine is the official birthstone of November but golden topaz is also claimed by this month
* The name citrine has the same roots as our word citrus and means yellow or golden
* Symbolizes creativity, hope and strength
* Believed to bring light and clarity to the owner
* Gives the power to see through deceptions, banish fears and protect against snake bites
* Ruled by the planet Jupiter
* Mohs hardness of 7.0
* Considered to be the merchant’s stone, a citrine placed in a money drawer will draw prosperity
* The yellow color of citrine makes it especially beneficial to the third, solar plexus, chakra
December – Blue Topaz
* Only the blue variety of topaz, the color created by irradiation, is
recognized as the modern birthstone of December with turquoise a second
alternative
* The name comes from Sanskrit “tapa” which means fire
* Symbolic of love and fidelity
* The ancient Greeks believed that a person wearing a topaz could become invisible and experience an increase in strength
* Allegedly has the power to cure insomnia, asthma and hemorrhages
* Blue topaz is ruled by the planet Venus
* Mohs hardness of 8.0
* Legend says that blue topaz thrown into a pot of boiling water will cool the water – and hot tempers as well!
* Blue topaz is soothing to the throat, fifth, chakra
Our
information is based on modern birthstones for each month. Many other
birthstone lists exist. Enjoy finding and wearing your birthstone or
the birthstones of loved ones.
By Jean Fisher
www.articlebase.com
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