Birthstone Articles

merald gemstones signify the month of May. Like spring, emeralds represent rebirth, good fortune, youth, and renewal. 

Emerald is rooted from smaragdus, defining green in Greek.

The first emerald was unearthed in Egypt in 300 B.C. Cleopatra infamously adored the stone. In ancient Egyptian texts, Cleopatra found the "Cleopatra Emerald" weighing at an unimaginable 97 karats. She split the gemstone in half, giving it to Marc Antony. After Marc Antony fought the Romans and died, architects tried to find his missing half. They never located it.

Precious and semi-precious stones have been honored for many centuries. The folklore concerning them is definitely fascinating. All cultures treasure the stories that go back to the beginning of history.

Birthstones Originated in the Bible

It is believed that the Breastplate of Aaron is the origin of birthstones. Exodus 28, 15-30, calls for the twelve stones of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, corresponding to the zodiac signs of the time, be set into four rows. Since our calendar month system was not known at the time of Exodus, birthstones became more commonly associated with a person’s calendar month of birth.

Rubies are red, emeralds are green. What the heck color is tourmaline?

The tourmaline gemstone comes in many colors, often in the same stone. Its very name means mixed stone: "tura mali" from the Singhalese phrase "stone mixed with vibrant colors." Red, pink, peach, orange, yellow, brown, green, blue, purple, even black -- tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstones, appearing in a variety of shades. Bi-color and tri-color stones are especially prized for jewelry. One of the more popular variations is the "watermelon tourmaline," with pink, green, and white color bands appearing naturally in the same stone.

Amethyst is an instantly recognizable purple quartz stone that is used for jewelry and healing purposes throughout the world. Ranging in shade from pale lavender to the deepest purple, the gem is prized for its beauty and properties and is the birthstone for the month of February. With these amazing properties, amethyst birthstone jewelry is an ideal gift for a beloved friend or family member -- or even for yourself.

Amethyst Origins

One of the earliest legends surrounding the amethyst comes to us from Ancient Greece and explains the origins of this highly regarded purple stone. In the story, Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and revelry was angered at a mortal woman, who failed to pay him the proper respect.