Garnet, the official birthstone for the month of January, signifies Love and Trust. The word "Garnet" is derived from granatum meaning seed and is called so because it resembles to a pomegranate seed.In Greek mythology, a pomegranate is referenced as the gift of love and is associated with eternity. Now-a-days, Garnet is referenced as the gift of love. This deep red hue is considered to be one of the best gifts on 2nd and 6th anniversary. Garnet comes in many colors of rainbow from deep red to vibrant green.Ancient traditional birthstones:Arabic: GarnetGuardian Angel: GabrielHebrew: GarnetHindu: Serpent-stoneHis Talismanic Stone: OnyxPolish: GarnetRoman: GarnetGarnets are found in metamorphic and some igneous rocks. They are formed under extremely high temperatures and pressure.Highest quality Garnets come from East Africa. Other regions where Garnets are found are in certain parts of Europe and South America.Garnets were at the height of fashion in the 18th and 19th century, and are found in many antique jewelry items.
The ones born in the month of June, your birthstone is "The Pearl". The word 'Pearl' is derived from the Latin word "pirum" which means "pear" and this reflects the shape of this gemstone.Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. Natural Pearls are formed inside oysters. It is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living mollusk and it is made of calcium carbonate. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur.Ancient Egyptians valued pearls above other precious metals. The oldest pearl necklace is thought to be inside the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 B.C.Before the creation of cultured or manmade pearls, they were reserved only for the noble or rich. In the early 1900s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market.Ancient Traditional Birthstones:
Moonstone is another birthstone for the ones born in the month of June and is the best gift for 13th anniversary. This gemstone belongs to the family of feldspars (the mineral that occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks.).The name "Moonstone" was derived from the belief that the stone's appearance changed with the changing phases of the moon and this name was given by Romans in ancient times.Moonstones are found in many places like USA, Brazil, Australia, Myanmar and Madagascar, but the most valuable moonstones are traditionally of Sri Lankan origin, and have a shimmering pale blue color.Some of the qualities associated with this gemstone is good health and symbolize the unfolding of spiritual and psychic development.
Another birthstone of this month is "Alexandrite". Alexandrite is a form of "chrysoberyl", which is formed in the earth's crust. These gemstones are very rare and have a quality of changing their color.This gemstone was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II. The stones from this region usually are the highest quality, largest in carat size and aesthetically beautiful.Alexandrite is said to bring joy, good luck and improve self-esteem.