Birthstones
WHICH MINERAL SYMBOL IS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR BIRTH MONTH?
Stones are the work of nature, and they fascinate us both for their immortality and their aesthetic charm.
They cannot be compared to simple man-made objects because they have not been shaped by human hands, but by time…
January - (Carnation or Snowdrop)
Pierre: Garnet
Symbol: Constancy
Virtue: Knowledge
Gift: Energy
Garnet was a highly prized stone in Greece and Rome.
It lost the fascination it had exerted by the end of the Renaissance. The most appreciated variety was the carbuncle. It was worn to protect against poisons. It symbolized loyalty, constancy, and sincerity of feelings, and warmed the hearts of the sorrowful. In the Middle Ages, it protected the Crusaders from the risk of injury. Ancient magical recipes combined garnet with collyrium to make compresses to strengthen the eyes and cure certain ailments.
February - (Spring)
Pierre: Amethyst
Symbol: Sincerity,
Virtue: Humility and wisdom
Gift: Balance
It is nicknamed the stone of bishops.
In antiquity, amethyst cups were carved for drinking wine, which prevented guests from getting drunk. Amethyst worn at the stomach level dispelled the unpleasant vapors of wine. Its name is the origin of this property, derived from the Greek "améthyen" or "a-methuo," which mean "not to be drunk" and "I do not get drunk," respectively. It was believed to have the virtues of facilitating awareness and bringing spiritual healing.
March - (Daffodil)
Pierre: Aquamarine
Symbol: Good faith
Virtue: Tolerance and patience
Trait: Calm
Her name means “sea water” …
In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was used for toothaches. During the Renaissance, artists called it the “stone with a friendly character.” It was used as a power stone against all kinds of failure and for court cases. Fishermen used it to protect themselves at sea and to ensure a fruitful catch. Aquamarine has soothing powers over anxieties, and Greek and Roman sailors in antiquity did not fail to take it with them on their sea voyages.
April - (Scented Wax)
Pierre: Diamond
Symbol: Innocence
Virtue: Transition
Gift: Clairvoyance
Diamond is also called Regina Gemmarum, the “queen of gems.”
It was named "adams" by the Greeks, meaning invincible or untameable. It is associated with perfection and unblemished purity. As early as antiquity, Plato evoked the image of an axis mundi formed of diamonds. One of the most famous, the Hope, whose curse began at the court of Louis XIV, after the beheading of Marie Antoinette… Diamond is often associated with marriage, a symbol of eternal love. It is also called the "stone of reconciliation." Diamond claims unity and commitment in everything it touches.
May - (Lily of the Valley or Hawthorn)
Pierre: Emerald
Symbol: Happiness
Virtue: True Love
Gift: Trust
Green in color and very fragile, it is one of the most beautiful stones.
Its green color made it the active symbol of water and fertilizing rain. Ancient myths attribute the emerald to Venus, the goddess of love. This gemstone was therefore to be worn on Friday, the goddess’s day, in order to secure safety in love. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the emerald could blind snakes, and it was attributed malevolent powers to counter numerous diseases such as epilepsy and malaria. Ancient lapidaries attributed to it the power to drive away storms and thunderstorms and to help slaves regain their freedom. It is said that it doubles in activity in spring, the season when everything turns green again.
June - (Rose or Honeysuckle)
Pierre: Pearl
Symbol: Health
Virtue: Beauty
Gift: Authenticity
A pearl always evokes something precious, rare, and flawless.
For a long time, it was believed that pearls were the fruit of the union between the water of the sea and the light of the moon. It was thought that oysters rose to the surface of the water and were fertilized by the lunar rays. An Indian tradition holds that every young bride wears pearls on her wedding day. Pearls are indeed a symbol of feminine sexual magic, which originates from the marriage of the daughter of the god Krishna. Since time immemorial, pearls have been a symbol of femininity and sexuality. The pearl is used to treat gastric problems and headaches.
July - (Lark's foot)
Pierre: Ruby
Symbol: Satisfaction
Virtue: Mutual love
Gift: Ardor
The word ruby comes from the Latin "rubéus," which means red.
According to Portal, the ruby was in antiquity the popular emblem of happiness; if it changed color, it was an ill omen, but it regained its purplish hue when the misfortune had passed; it resisted poison and protected against the plague. The ancients attributed to it the power to heal wounds and to relieve cardiac ailments.
August - (Gladiolus)
Pierre: Peridot
Symbol: Felicity
Virtue: Happiness
Gift: Happiness
This stone is sometimes called olivine.
The Egyptians used peridot to treat physical disabilities, such as muscular ones, and liver diseases.
September – (Ox-eye daisy)
Pierre: Sapphire
Symbol: Wisdom
Virtue: Patience
Gift: Commitment
Blue in color, it invites fidelity and drives away all hatred.
As with all gemstones, the sapphire has been the subject of numerous myths and beliefs. In the East, the sapphire was reputed to be able to strike down any venomous animal. Its power was such that it was enough to cast one’s gaze upon it to be blessed by fate. In Europe, both men of God and servants of Satan attributed to this gemstone the power to confer the gift of prophecy upon anyone who could possess one. The sapphire was also used as a talisman against the plague or any other curse or infectious disease. The Egyptians believed that the sapphire controlled the movement of the stars and called it the stone of the stars.
October - (Marigold or Cosmos)
Pierre: Opal
Symbol: Hope
Virtue: Loyalty
Gift: Love
The origin of the word opal would come from the Sanskrit word “upala,” meaning precious stone.
In the time of the Greeks and Romans, it was highly prized, on the one hand as a good luck charm, and on the other for its therapeutic virtues closely related to the eye. Pliny recounts that Nonius preferred to leave Rome and his wealth, sacrificing his position and his fortune, rather than part with his opal, the size of a walnut, to Mark Antony, who would undoubtedly have liked to offer the most beautiful of gems as a token of love to Cleopatra. As for Nonius, he lived in poverty. At his death, he was still wearing his opal. A charming Hindu legend tells how the Eternal turned into a magical cloud a woman who was coveted by three gods. The first, Brahma, gave her the color of azure so that she could be distinguished from the other clouds; the second, Shiva, dyed her red; as for the third, Vishnu, he adorned her with the splendor of the sun. The Eternal then brought her back to earth in the form of an opal. Precious black opals are the most expensive.
November - (Chrysanthemum)
Pierre: Topaz
Symbol: Loyalty
Virtue: Inspiration
Gift: Purity
Pliny the Elder writes: “Juba says that Topaz is an island in the Red Sea …”
Still lost in the clouds of mist, she is very difficult to discover by sailors: hence her name, for in the Troglodyte language, topazin means to seek. In the ancient language of the Hindus, topaz meant “fire.” Ancient customs claim that this stone possesses great powers, in particular the power to master furious passions and to balance diseases of emotional origin.
For the Egyptians, topaz represented Ra, the sun god, giver of life and fertility.
December - (Narcissus or Holly)
Pierre: Turquoise
Symbol: Success
Virtue: Purification
Gift: Trust
For Tibetans, turquoise symbolizes the sky and water, bringing good luck and protection.
It was considered the support of the Earth's atmosphere, making life on Earth possible. This stone absorbs negative energies and, through its purifying effect, brings peace and joy. The Apache chief Geromino possessed a turquoise that facilitated visions. In Mexico, turquoise was one of the most prized stones, its value surpassed only by that of jade. The Aztecks judged a man's wealth by the number of turquoises he owned.