| Garnet : A perfect present for January Birthdays |
 |
|
Garnet is the birth stone for January and is also the recommended gift for couples celebrating their second wedding anniversary. The name garnet comes from the Latin for pomegranate, the bright red seeds of which resemble the garnet gemstone. Garnets are seen as one of the most versatile of gemstones. They come in a rainbow of colours, from deep red through to pink, orange to lime green and even in brown and golden hues. It is the red and pink shades which are most commonly associated with the garnet. Throughout history the garnet has been prizes, not only for its appearance, but also for supposedly mystical qualities. Garnets have been credited with protecting their wearers from bad dreams and depression, used as a cure for snake bites and poisoning and to give their wearer guidance in the night. |
| Amethyst : A perfect present for February Birthdays |
 |
|
Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is also the recommended gift for couples celebrating their sixth year of marriage. Amethysts derive their name from the Greek word amethystos, meaning ‘against drunkenness’ as the gem was believed to prevent drunkenness if placed within your glass of wine. Amethysts are a member of the Quartz group of gems and occur in many shades from lilac to mauve and purple. Because of its purple colouring, Amethysts are associated with Royalty and the gem was common in Greek and Egyptian jewellery and also can be found In the British Crown Jewels. Amethysts are associated with good health, wit and luck and have been prized historically for their mystical calming and healing properties. |
| Aquamarine : A perfect present for March Birthdays |
 |
|
Aquamarine is the birthstone of March and is the accepted gift for couples celebrating their nineteenth wedding anniversary. Also, when presented to a newly wed, Aquamarine is believed to ensure consistency and awaken the love of the couple and to wear Aquamarine earrings brings love and affection. Aquamarine derives its name from its colour, which is that of the sea. Throughout history, Aquamarine has been a traditional gift for seafarers, as its mystical properties are said ensure safe passage across stormy seas. Aquamarine is associated with youth, hope and health and to dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends. |
| Diamond : A perfect present for April Birthdays |
 |
|
Diamonds are the birthstones for April and are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their tenth and sixtieth wedding anniversary. Diamonds derive their name from the Greek word adamas, meaning unconquerable. Diamonds are the most precious of gems and are known as the ‘King of Gems’, for their brilliance and hardness, being the most resistant of minerals. Throughout history, Diamonds have been the ultimate gift of love and are supposed to signify everlasting love, eternity and courage. According to Greek legend, Cupid himself used Diamond tipped arrows and that in their sparkle, you could see the flame of love in them when held up to the light. In Medieval times, Diamond were reported to afford the wearer against plague and in ancient India, they believed Diamonds were splinters from the stars |
| Emeralds : A perfect present for May Birthdays |
 |
|
Emeralds are the birthstone for May and are also the recommended anniversary gift for couples celebrating their fifty-fifth year of marriage. Because of the Emerald’s association with fidelity, love and goodness, Emeralds feature readily in engagement and eternity rings when set with diamonds. The beautiful green shades of the emerald make it a much sort after gem. According to folklore, Emeralds are thought to possess healing powers, with particular effect upon restoring eyesight and even so much as to give the wearer the ability to see into the future. |
| Pearls : A perfect present for June Birthdays |
 |
|
Pearls are the birthstone for June birthdays and are the accepted anniversary gift for couples celebrating their 30th year of marriage and have come to symbolise a happy marriage as emblems of modesty, chastity and purity. According to legend, Cleopatra drank a glass of wine in which she had dissolved a priceless pearl earring as a testament to her love for Anthony. In folklore, Pearls are associated with peace, beauty and were once thought of by Arabians as being the tears of the gods. |
| Ruby : A perfect present for July Birthdays |
 |
|
Rubies are the birthstone for July birthdays and are the accepted gift to be presented to couples celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. Rubies derive their name from the Latin word “ruber”, which simply means red. Rubies are a form of the Corundum mineral, as are Sapphires. Differing elements within the mineral give Rubies their classic deep red colour, although they can appear in shades from pink to purple to brown. Because of its beauty and rarity, Rubies are known as the “Lord of the Gems”. A Ruby is associated with love, enthusiasm and strength and in the 15th – 16th Centuries, Rubies were thought to counteract poison. In myth, a Ruby was said to warn the wearer of misfortune and that the eternal flame of the Ruby would darken when misfortune was near at hand. The protective powers of Rubies were said to be intensified when the gem was set into jewellery and worn upon the wearers left side. |
| Peridot : A perfect present for August Birthdays |
 |
|
Peridot is the birthstone for August Birthdays and is traditionally presented as anniversary gifts on a couples sixteenth year of marriage. Peridot is prized for its lively green appearance and is associated with success, peace and luck. In folklore, Peridot is considered to be a powerful amulet to ward against all evil and when set in gold, were said to protect the wearer from night terrors. Peridot was also thought to possess healing properties and was believed to be able to enhance the affects of medicines when drunk from a chalice set with the stone. |
| Sapphire : A perfect present for September Birthdays |
 |
|
Sapphires are for wisdom and the birthstone of September birthdays. Sapphire are also the accepted anniversary gem for the 45th years of marriage. The Sapphire is known as the gem of chastity, with marriage partners put great faith in the stone. It is said that if the brilliance of a Sapphire dims, then one knew his or her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphires are a member of the Corundum family of minerals and are best known for their deep, dark blue hues. Sapphires can also be found in a range of yellows, pinks, and greens. The deep blue variety of Sapphire are the most highly prized, especially by Popes, Cardinals and Bishops who deem Sapphires as holy. It is also believed that the Ten Commandments were written upon a tablet of Sapphire. |
| Opal : A perfect present for October Birthdays |
 |
|
Famed for it’s rainbow hued iridescence, Opal is the birthstone of October and the recommended gift for couple celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. The name opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit ‘upala’, meaning ‘precious stone’. This gives some clue as the esteem in which this beautiful gemstone has been held with through history as does it’s renown for being the “Queen of gems”. Opal has long symbolised hope, innocence and purity. It was even worn in the hair of fair haired girls during the middle ages in the belief that it would protect their blonde locks. At various points in history opals have also been said to be beneficial to eyesight, banish evil spirits, render the wearer invisible in times of trouble and favour children, theatre, amusements and friendship. |
| Topaz : A perfect present for November Birthdays |
 |
|
Topaz is the birthstone of November and is the recommended gift for couples celebrating their fourth anniversary. It is also said to represent faithfulness and fidelity as well as being associated with wisdom courage and sincerity. Topaz also holds the distinction of being accredited with the widest range of curative properties. At various times through history it has been associated with a wide range of abilities from dispelling enchantments to giving strength and even making the wearer invisible! Topaz occurs in a wide range of hues and shades, from clear to red, but it is blue topaz that seems to be the current vogue thanks to it’s clarity, durability and availability. |
| Turquoise : A perfect present for December Birthdays |
 |
|
Turquoise is the Birthstone for December and is historically seen as a holy stone and is associated with happiness and luck. Turquoise found it’s way to the West during the time of the crusades, from where it got the name turquoise, literally meaning “turkish stone”. This ever-popular sky-blue gemstone is know to have been revered since at least the times of the ancient Egyptians. Evidence of this exists in the form of turquoise set artifacts dating from around 3000 BC. It’s charm though has remained timeless, with it’s popularity with modern designers still as strong today. Turquoise ranges in colour from sky-blue to green and is often treated to help retain it’s vivid colour as the stone itself is porous. |