April birthstone: Diamond
Diamond is one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones, symbol of clarity and strength. It’s name comes from the Greek word Adamas, meaning unbreakable
The April birthstone was even believed to have healing powers, longevity, strength, beauty and happiness.
Diamond is the gift of choice for the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries, and today the diamond engagement ring has become a near-universal symbol of love and marriage.
The story of the timeless charm of diamond started in India, where diamonds were gathered from the rivers, and traded as early as the fourth century BCE.
Diamonds were coveted by royalty and the wealthy.
Later, along the silk road, caravans brought Indian diamonds, along the silk road, to medieval markets in Italy, and they were becoming, by the 1400s, fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite.
In the early 1700s, as India’s diamond supplies began to decline, Brazil emerged as an important source, diamonds were discovered in Minas Gerais. Brazil dominated the diamond market for more than 150 years.
The discovery of diamonds in South Africa, in the late 1860s marked the beginning of the modern diamond market. Entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes established De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888, and by 1900 De Beers controlled an estimated 90 percent of the world’s production of rough diamonds.
The largest diamond ever found – at 3,106 ct (621 grams) – was recovered from South Africa in 1905. From it was cut the pear shaped 530 ct Cullinan I diamond, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which is now set in the Royal Sceptre with Cross and housed with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
March birthstone: Aquamarine
The colors of Aquamarine,March birthstone,evokes the colors
of the sea.
Aquamarine has been described as “water clear”
From deep green-blue to light, slightly greenish blue hues, faceted aquamarines are often free from inclusions and as clear as water, symbolizing purity of spirit and soul.
Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater, and ancient mariners claimed the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea and was believed to give the wearer protection against foes in battle and litigation.
It was also thought to make the wearer unconquerable and amiable, and to quicken the intellect.
Aquamarine are mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia and Mozambique, as well as elsewhere in Africa. U.S.A.
With a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, this March birthstone is durable enough for everyday wear..
February birthstone: Amethyst
Amethyst is not only the traditional and modern February birthstone but also the commemorative gem for sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversaries.
Indeed, amethyst has strong connections to the month of February and love.
According to legend, St. Valentine, whose day devoted to love we celebrate in February, wore an amethyst ring carved with Cupid's likeness.
However, amethyst's most well-known symbolic association involves the prevention of drunkenness. In fact, the name "amethyst" itself comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means "not drunk." The Ancient Greeks believed you could drink all night and remain sober if you had an amethyst in your mouth or on your person.
January birthstone: Garnet
The name Garnet originates from the latin granatus, meaning "pomegranate" because of the red color.
Garnets have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones. Necklaces with red garnets adorned the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
Signet rings in ancient Rome featured garnet intaglios. The nobility of the Middle Ages had a preference for red garnets.
The garnets came from the historic mines in Bohemia and they
were extremely popular during the Victorian era (1837–1901).
