Stars Galore .. Midi - Little Bubbles

GEM STONES




 Gem stones may be precious but friendship is priceless


 HISTORY

Gem stones are considered to be a talisman which originated long before the days
of astrologers & magicians. They are an ancient part of human civilisation,
springing from the belief that there is a stone with special protective qualities
for each month of the year. For thousands of years they have been made
into rings, bracelets, amulets, brooches & pendants.

JANUARY GEM STONE - Garnet …Signifies constancy
In the 18th century Garnet's were the most favoured gems. The most popular
colours are red or deep pink.
They have an expensive appearance & are best set in gold.

FEBRUARY GEM STONE - Amethyst …Signifies sobriety
The Romans in Nero's day decorated their drinking cups to keep them as a
charm against drunkenness. Amethyst was the first gem to be
faceted & is best set in silver.

MARCH GEM STONE - Aquamarine …Signifies elegance
Takes it's name from the sea & is often thought to be green, but it actually
is named after the blue colour of sea water cupped in the hands.
The delicate colouring & translucent beauty makes beautiful jewellery.
When mounted with diamonds the effect is breathtaking.
They are best mounted in platinum.

APRIL GEM STONE - Diamond…Signifies Innocence
The diamond is the hardest natural substance in the universe & has
enjoyed a long & colourful history. In AD 100 a Roman historian
referred to it as "the most remarkable gem".
The blue white diamond is the most beautiful of all.

MAY GEM STONE - Emerald …signifies…success
Tradition associates the emerald with success, unlike other stones
green emeralds retain their purity of tint under artificial light.
An Eastern belief that emeralds had a fatal influence on the eyes of
serpents... inspired the following couplet : Blinded like serpents gaze
upon the emerald's virgin blaze. Emeralds should always be kept
in their own jewel cases when not being worn.

JUNE GEM STONE - Pearl…signifies purity
Buddha said "The lotus grows from mire". Equally paradoxical, but
slightly more absurd, is the fact that the pearl grows from an
irritated oyster. Pearls are lustrous & possess a charm of their own.
Some say they glow more if continually worn.
The most suitable setting is silver or gold.

JULY GEM STONE…Ruby…signifies perfection
In Mogok, Burma, where the principal ruby mines are situated, local
superstition has created a race of invisible imps called "nats".
The "nats" dislike eggs, elephants, monkeys & horses, so no one can even
mention any of these , nor can a pregnant women cross a stream flowing
towards the mines - otherwise the "nats" would drive the rubies further
into the ground. These superstitions still persist today. There is a great
satisfaction in wearing a stone which has lain for millions of years,
before being set as brooches, rings etc.

AUGUST GEM STONE - Peridot…signifies Gladness of heart
These green gems have a more mellow hue than other green stones;
they have been used in ecclesiastical jewellery since the Middle Ages.
Parisian's were the first to make the peridot fashionable as personal jewellery.
Yellow gold is considered the only suitable setting.

SEPTEMBER GEM STONE - Sapphire…signifies prosperity
The sapphire has as much romance woven into it's history as the diamond.
They have a number of interesting connections with the British Monarchy,
for example, in the crown jewels there is a heart shaped sapphire which
once belonged to the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Not all sapphires
are blue, there are golden, parti-coloured green & gold, the blues shade
through cornflower blue to deepest indigo. In hardness the sapphire
ranks next to diamonds.

OCTOBER GEM STONE - Opal…signifies hope

An ancient Greek - Thephristus (372 - 287 BC) prepared the oldest book
on the subject of precious stones, said "the tenderness & delicacy of the
opal is like a loving, beautiful child" In the 7th century Western Europe it was
believed the opal possessed magical properties & superstitions. In the
14th century they were blamed for the Black Death. Queen Victoria wore
opals throughout her reign. The best specimens are mined
in Australia, the most prolific source in the world.
The price of opal has soared in the post W.W.1 years.

NOVEMBER GEM STONE - Topaz…signifies cheerfulness
Yellow is the most known of all the colours of the topaz. The yellow stone
is noted for it's transparency & lustre. The tints range from maize to an
unusual shade of light bronze. In many ways the topaz resembles
the cairgorn of Scotland, but is harder & keeps it's lustra permanently.

DECEMBER GEM STONE - Turquoise…signifies luck & love
Turquoise were mined on the Sinai Penisular in 4000 BC. It was believed
that a turquoise would avert the evil eye and if the colour paled it was
that the donor was in danger. Mostly it was believed to carry good
fortune & happiness because of it's resemblance to the blue
Mediterranean skies. The Queen Mother, as Duchess of York, wore
a turquoise & diamond coronet to a State Ball in Australia in 1927.



        

GEM STONES - Created by Laurie