Friday 4 October 2013

The Power and Pull of Birth Stones and Zodiac Stones

Birth stones are gemstones associated with each month in the Gregorian Calendar (Christian or Western calendar). These are either precious stones, which are the more rare and expensive gems such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires.  Then there are the semi-precious stones, including ameythst, opal and bloodstone.
Amethyst Gemstones



All of them are considered lucky for their particular months and their healing powers are seen to be heightened during their months. Because of this some people will buy a set of all twelve and rotate them for each month.

Origins

The first time a special gem was associated with a particular month was recorded in the Bible.Moses made a breastplate for the High Priest of the Hebrews according to instructions he received during 40 days in the mountains. The breastplate featured twelve gems which were later linked with the signs of the zodiac, and later still, associated with the months in the year. 

The birth stones are connected to each month as follows:-


Turquoise Beads

January - Garnet
Feb - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine & Bloodstone
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearls, Moonstone and Alexandrite
July - Ruby
August - Peridot and Sardonyx
September - Sapphire
October - Opal & Tourmaline
November -  Topaz
December - Turquoise & Zircon

Zodiac stones

Zodiac gem stones are also called Astral Stones.  Ancient astrologers, typically from India and Babylon, believed that the influence of your astrology sign over your fortune in life is strengthened by wearing, holding or carrying the stone associated with the constellation under which you were born. There was no formal classification, the gems were assigned to the signs of the zodiac via a colour system. The astrologers believed that the colour unleashed the magical powers from the stone. 

Whereas the Birth Stones are more typically associated with healing powers, the zodiac stones are associated with how your life follows its path in relation to your birth sign's characteristics.

The zodiac stones are as follows:-                         


Aries - Mar 21 – Apr 20
Diamond, Opal


Pearl Beads
Taurus - Apr 21 – May 20, Emerald, Sapphire
Gemini - May 21 – Jun 20, Alexandrite, Agate, Amethyst 
Cancer - Jun 21 – Jul 21, Ruby, Pearl, Moonstone
Leo - Jul 22 – Aug 21, Peridot, Jade, Sardonyx, Diamond
Virgo - Aug 22 – Sep 21, Sapphire, Zircon, Agate
Libra - Sep 22 – Oct 22, Opal, Sapphire, Jasper
Scorpio - Oct 23 – Nov 21, Topaz, Citrine, Pearl
Sagittarus - Nov 22 – Dec 20, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx
Capricorn - Dec 21 – Jan 19, Garnet, Garnet, Emerald
Aquarius - Jan 20 – Feb 18, Amethyst, Bloodstone
Pisces - Feb 19 – Mar 20, March, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Jade
For your jewellery making, International Craft have the majority of these precious and semi-precious stones and beads in stock, to buy, CLICK HERE