Birthstone Origins: Stranger than Fiction
by: Sam Serio
In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus tells the story of the Breastplate of Aaron, used in religious ceremonies. (Aaron?just in case you were absent from Sunday school that day?was the Biblical figure who performed, at Moses' direction, the miracles that confounded Pharaoh and his magicians.)
Aaron's breastplate was adorned with four rows of gemstones, three gemstones in each row, in the following pattern: Sardius, topaz, carbuncle; emerald, sapphire, diamond; ligure, agate, amethyst; beryl, onyx, jasper. These twelve gemstones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve positions were later co-opted by astologers who linked them to the twelve months of the calendar year and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The Traditional Birthstone List contains these older birthstones and represents birthstone traditions heralding back to the 15th century. The Modern Birthstone List was created by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912 in Kansas City, Missouri. Gemstone purists complained that the NAJ list was devised solely for commercial purposes (they probably didn't believe in Santa Claus either!). As a result, astrologers who prescribed gems often substituted alternate or secondary stones. The Mystical Birthstone list below originated in from Tibet over a thousand years ago. The Ayurvedic Birthstone list is derived from age-old Ayurvedic Indian Medicine, a practice of native people for more than a century.
Month Modern Traditional Mystical Ayurverdic
January Garnet Garnet Emerald Garnet
February Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst Bloodstone
March Aquamarine Bloodstone Jade Bloodstone
April Diamond Diamond Opal Quartz
May Emerald Emerald Sapphire Agate
June Pearl Alexandrite Moonstone Pearl
July Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby
August Peridot Sardonyx Diamond Sapphire
Sept. Sapphire Sapphire Agate Lapis Lazuli
October Opal Tourmaline Tourmaline Jasper
November Yellow Topaz Citrine Citrine Pearl
December Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Onyx Ruby
Astrologically speaking, your place on the Zodiac is more meaningful than your birth month for tapping into your "power," which has led to the creation of the following list of "Star Stones" related to the star under which you were born, rather than the day.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Ruby, Agate, Garnet
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - Garnet, Moss Agate, Opal, Amethyst,
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) - Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Bloodstone
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) - Bloodstone, Diamond
Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) - Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald
Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20) - Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
Cancer (Jun. 21-Jul. 22) - Emerald, Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby
Leo (Jul. 23-Aug. 22) - Tourmaline, Sardonyx, Onyx
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) - Jasper, Carnelian, Jade, Sapphire
Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) - Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Peridot
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) - Aquamarine, Topaz
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - Sapphire, Amethyst, Turquoise, Topaz
So whether you choose an emerald from the Breastplate of Aaron, a moonstone from Tibet's mystical birthstone list, an opal for its ayurvedic birthstone properties, or your very own "star sign" representative?may the force (of the birthstone) be with you!
About The Author
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of ?How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.? This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.
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Nunavut Canadas Diamond
Nunavut
Canadas Diamond
by: Ashton Billesberger
The province known as NUNAVUT has supported a continuous population for more then 4000 years. The province was founded by Martin Frobisher back in 1576 while leading an expedition to find the Northwest Passage. In 1976, talks for a land claim agreement and the new territory between the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and the federal government began. Then in April 1, 1999 Nunavut Act were passed by the Canadian Parliament.
The population of Nunavut as of 2004 is 29,300, the economy is based on, mining, diamonds, gold, zinc, lead, copper, and nickel. There are a lot of companies investing there money to look for diamonds as we speak.
Here are some quick facts
- Iqaluit is the largest city
- The Population 29,300
- 13th province Admittance into Confederation on April 1, 1999
- 13thTime zone
There are many neat things to do and see, you can tour some...
Nunavut Canadas Diamond
Diamond > Nunavut Canadas Diamond
How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online ? Part 1 of 3
How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online ? Part 1 of 3
by: Michael Bradley
It is now possible to save 40% to 60% by purchasing a diamond engagement ring from an online diamond retailer, rather than from a bricks-n-mortar High Street jeweller. Online diamond retailers don?t have retail shops, sales staff, large diamond inventories and other associated operating expenses and are therefore able to pass on the cost savings to consumers.
Of course, a diamond might be one of the largest one-off purchases made in one?s lifetime and so it is understandable that many people may be uncomfortable paying for a diamond before it has been seen and examined.
However, as long as the correct research and precautions are taken there should be no reason to be fearful about buying diamonds from Internet diamond merchants.
The three most important aspects of the pre-purchase checks that must be carried out are:
1. Assurance that the diamond business is...
How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online ? Part 1 of 3
Diamond > How to Safely Buy a Diamond Online ? Part 1 of 3