Emerald is May's Birthstone Written by Sam Serio If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it. May's Birthstone: Emerald Birthstone Properties: Symbolizes serenity and peace of mind. Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire Emerald is birthstone for May and also anniversary gemstone for 20th and 35th years of marriage. Some people believe wearing an emerald brings wisdom, growth…patience. It is perhaps this last attribute that may explain why a gift of emerald for an anniversary -- or any occasion -- is symbolic of love and fidelity. All Eyes on Emeralds Emeralds were once prescribed for eye diseases because green color was believed to be soothing to eyes. Early stone cutters kept emeralds at their tables to gaze upon as a way to give their eyes a break. Even 21st Century color specialists agree that green is soothing, restful, and relaxing for eyes. Today's versatile emeralds continue to be "easy on eyes," used in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other body adornment. The Color of Spring An emerald shines like green lightning, filling us with same wonder as civilizations that came before us. Ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in eastern desert region 2,000 years before Cleopatra’s birth, yet today recent finds in North Carolina may provide a new source for quality emeralds in U.S. Colombia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Russia are where most emeralds are mined in 21st Century. Diamond is April's Birthstone Written by Sam Serio If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it. April Birthstone: Diamond Birthstone Properties: Enhances competence, trust and love Alternative Birthstone: Opal Formed deep within earth where there is intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply crystallized carbon. April's birthstone is perennial first choice for engagement rings, but is it also anniversary gem for 10th and 60th years of marriage when eternity bands and other diamond-detailed rings replace original wedding bands. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were tears of Gods or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew drops. In fact, exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery, even to scientists and geologists. India is thought to be first river-bed source of diamond mining. The ancient Hindus called diamond "Vajra," (lightening) because of sparks of light that it emits as well as its invincible strength. Arguably most beautiful gemstones on planet, diamonds are also harder than any other substance on earth and found today in Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa. Dr. Diamond Diamonds have long been credited for having certain medicinal properties. During middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if ailing person took diamond into bed to warm it up first! Cont'd on page 2 ==>   ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005 Terms of Use