Ruby is July's BirthstoneWritten 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. July's Birthstone: Ruby Birthstone Properties: Fire and emotion Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire Ruby is birthstone for July and also anniversary gemstone for 15th and 40th years of marriage. The history of ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago, and today coveted gemstone is found in Burma, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and United States. Called "Lord of Gems" by ancient Hindus, rubies are one of most highly prized gems throughout history. The fiery glow of rubies is said to come from gemstone's internal and eternal flame. For this reason, gift of a ruby is a symbol of everlasting love. If worn on left hand, ancient lore has it that Ruby will bring good fortune. It is a perfect engagement ring gemstone and a popular alternative to or addition to diamond engagement bands. Hard, but Soft The word ruby comes from Latin "ruber," meaning red. It is a variety of mineral Corundum that is called sapphire when it is any color except red…only when it is red does it earn designation of "ruby."
| | Peridot is August's BirthstoneWritten 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. August Birthstone: Peridot Birthstone Properties: Illumination Alternative Birthstone: Sardonyx Peridot is birthstone for August and 16th anniversary gemstone. Its name comes from Arabic word "faridat," meaning gem. Peridot is sometimes referred to as an “Evening Emerald” because under artificial light it glows as a brilliant green. Peridot is transparent with subtle color in a variety of greens, ranging from light yellowish green to a dark olive. The purer green a peridot is, higher value. Any tinge of brown greatly diminishes value of a peridot, as well as visible flaws. Ancient History Found in both early Greek and early Roman jewelry, peridot has been popular since 1500 BC when Egyptians started mining it. The Egyptians called lustrous stone "gem of sun" and believed it had power to ward off anxiety, enhance speech, and foster success in relationships and marriage. Peridot crystals are sometimes combed from black sands of Hawaii where gemstone is abundant and available in larger sizes. Hawaiians believe that peridot is tears shed by Pele, volcano goddess. Pele must have traveled extensively, however, because peridot is also mined in Burma, Norway, Brazil, Australia, Hawaii, Congo, and in Arizona.
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