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Say it with Jewelry !
Gemstone meanings and symbolism
Every so often, we find, give or receive a gift so special, so personal and so meaningful that we truly never forget it. At Freyja's Jewels, we LOVE to create just such pieces!
Browse these resources to find the 'perfect' inspiration for the 'perfect' gift - that one you want her (or him?) to always treasure. If you'd like for US to provide the inspiration, just drop us a line with some information about the sentiment, the occasion or the recipient and we can help you take it from there.
Who doesn't love a gift that's beautiful? Who doesn't love even MORE a gift that is beautiful, meaningful, one-of-a-kind ... and even custom-designed?! Now THAT's a gift that's hard to top and a 'thought' that really 'counts'!
What I'm trying to say is...
The wealth of symbolic meaning given to gemstones comes from many sources from ancient to 'new age'. Not all lists of birthstones and meanings are the same, but the element that seems most consistent is the colour of the stones. Colour was often the source of ancient beliefs about the meanings - and even 'powers' - of these treasures of the earth. With the incredible array of stones available today, this means that most feelings, promises or tributes can be expressed with more than one stone. Here are some examples....
Sincerity: Sapphire and other blue stones (lapis lazuli, iolite, blue topaz).
Though sapphires come in many colours, the main colour associated with it is blue. Blue is associated with feelings of harmony, commitment, friendship, loyalty and constancy. Feelings and qualities that surpass fleeting passions and grow in strength and worth over time. In many countries, women wish most for a sapphire ring on their engagement.
Rebirth: Emerald, Chrysoprase, Aventurine, Green Jades, Peridot
Do you need to start fresh in your relationship? Do you want to tell someone you care about that you wish them the best in a new marriage or stage of life, a new job, new town...? Green is often seen as the colour of life, nature and springtime... even wellness, harmony and wealth. In ancient Rome it was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. Green is a colour that changes in hue and visual prominence from daylight to night.
Electricity: Tourmaline (a rainbow of colours)
Tourmaline comes in many colours - even multiple colours within the same stone, making it known as the "gemstone of the rainbow.". An ancient Egyptian legend says that "the tourmaline, on its long journey up from the centre of the Earth, passed over a rainbow. In doing so, it assumed all the colours of the rainbow." (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein)
Passion
: Ruby, Garnet
No colour is more associated with love and passion than RED. It is linked with warmth and vitality - with the heart and that 'quickened pulse' set off by the one we love or desire... or both! Ruby is considered "The Queen of Gemstones" (or by some, the King). Red is the colour of fire and blood, making it not an expression of cool and collected sentiments, but of fiery and intense passion.
Harmony: Aquamarine, Aqua Quartz, "Water Sapphire" (iolite)
The soft blue tones of aquamarine are associated with feelings of "sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship"... feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships" (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein). It's similarity with the colours of the sky and the sea associate it with the divine and eternal.
Sobriety: Amethyst
In ancient times, people drank wine from amethyst cups believing the stone offered protection against alcoholism. According to the ancient Greek saga, Diana turned a nymph whom Bacchus loved into an amethyst; hence the term Bacchus stone. Anyone wishing to protect a drunkard from delirium mixed some pulverised amethyst into the person's drink. (Please do NOT try that at home... or anywhere else!). The Greek words 'amethystos' mean 'not intoxicated' in translation. (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein). Sometimes sobriety deserves to be celebrated!
Purity: Amethyst
Amethyst is said to protect its wearer against seduction. Amethyst has been seen as a symbol of trust and piety, since it was believed to put the wearer in a 'chaste' frame of mind.
The above 2 might just make Amethyst the PERFECT gift for a daughter heading off to college! Even moreso since it has also been believed to "inspire the intellect."
The Sea: Aquamarine
Aquamarine blue is the colour of water. No wonder, when you consider that according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone. Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea).
The Sun: Topaz, Citrine, Sunstone, Amber
The Soul: Sapphire
Courage: Aquamarine, Agate, Bloodstone
Health: Emerald, Green Aventurine
Faithfulness: Sapphire
Fertility: Emerald, Topaz
Feminine Wisdom: Pearl
Lasting Friendship: Tourmaline, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise
Love: Garnet, Rose Quartz, Rhodonite, Emerald
Easing Sadness, Anger and Fear: Topaz
Peace: Amethyst, Peace Jade
Spring(Did you meet in the spring? Fall in love? Is it her favourite season?): Emerald and other green stones
Autumn(Did you meet in the fall? Propose? Do you both love the fall?): Autumn Jasper, Amber, Carnelian, Poppy Jasper
Gemstone Meanings by Stone
| Agate: |
Self-acceptance, balance, courage, harmony |
| Amazonite: |
Dream fulfillment |
| Amber: |
Vitality, motivation, creativity, calm, once believed to be 'pieces of sunshine' |
| Amethyst: |
Love, spirituality, serenity, creativity, prevents intoxication |
| Aventurine: |
Health and healing, strength and purpose, abundance and prosperity |
| Bloodstone: |
Courage, wisdom. |
| Carnelian: |
Well-being, sexual energy, motivation, openness and receptivity |
| Chalcedony: |
Lifts sadness |
| Citrine: |
Clarity, confidence, patience, awareness |
| Emerald: |
Eternity, love, healing, prosperity |
| Fancy Jasper: |
Nurturing, bringing joy to others |
| Fluorite: |
Inspiration, new ideas, broad thinking, mental achievement |
| Garnet: |
Passionate love, power, grace, and victory, devotion, named for its resemblance to pomegranate seeds |
| Goldstone: |
Health and healing |
| Hematite: |
Balance, serenity, protection |
| Howlite: |
Calm, uplifting |
| Iolite: |
Truth, awareness, simplicity, sometimes called "Water Sapphire" |
| Jade: |
Unity in groups and relationships, health, prosperity, long life |
| Jasper: |
Courage, wisdom |
| Labradorite: |
Inspiration, spiritual insight |
| Lapis Lazuli: |
Dreams, warding off sadness |
| Malachite: |
Faithfulness, partnership, transformation |
| Moonstone: |
Hope, wish fulfilment, destiny, quick thinking, inspiration |
| Obsidian: |
The stone of the soft and gentle-hearted, also associated with positive change. |
| Onyx: |
Marital harmony, protection, grounding, concentration, strength |
| Opal: |
Hope, innocence, purity |
| Pearl: |
Purity, innocence, feminine wisdom |
| Quartz: |
Connection to the earth, strength, healing, overcoming obstacles |
| Rhodonite: |
Emotional support |
| Rose Quartz: |
Love and devotion |
| Ruby: |
Love, charity, dignity, divine power |
| Sapphire: |
Constancy, truth, virtue |
| Sardonyx: |
Happiness in love |
| Serpentine: |
Luck, protection, transformation, healing |
| Smokey Qtz.: |
Balance, harmony and lifting sadness |
| Sodalite: |
Harmony, intuition, calm |
| Tiger Eye |
Courage, confidence, wealth |
| Topaz: |
Friendship, happiness. |
| Tourmaline: |
Electricity, lasting friendship, |
| Turquoise: |
Prosperity, soul-cheer, lasting friendship |
| Unakite: |
Contentment, joy and seeing the beauty in life |
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Month*
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Modern Birthstones
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Traditional Birthstones
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January
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Garnet
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Garnet
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February
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Amethyst
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Amethyst
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March
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Aquamarine
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Bloodstone
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April
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Diamond
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Diamond
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May
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Emerald
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Emerald
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June
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Pearl, Moonstone
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Alexandrite
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July
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Ruby
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Ruby
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August
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Peridot
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Sardonyx
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September
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Sapphire
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Sapphire
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October
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Opal,Tourmaline
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Tourmaline
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November
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Yellow Topaz, Citrine
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Citrine
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December
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Blue Topaz, Turquoise, Tanzanite
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Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli
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* The "Modern Birthstones" are those on the official birthstone list of the American National Association of Jewelers and the American Gem Trade Association.
Other Birthstone Traditions
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Month
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Hebrew
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Roman
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Arabic
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Hindu
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January
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Garnet
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Garnet
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Garnet
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Ruby
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February
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Amethyst
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Amethyst
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Amethyst
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Topaz
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March
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Bloodstone
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Bloodstone
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Bloodstone
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Opal
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April
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Sapphire
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Sapphire
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Sapphire
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Diamond
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May
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Agate
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Agate
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Emerald
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Emerald
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June
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Emerald
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Emerald
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Agate
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Pearl
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July
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Onyx
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Onyx
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Carnelian
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Sapphire
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August
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Carnelian
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Carnelian
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Sardonyx
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Ruby
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September
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Peridot
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Peridot
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Peridot
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Zircon
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October
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Aquamarine
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Aquamarine
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Aquamarine
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Coral
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November
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Yellow Topaz
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Yellow Topaz
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Yellow Topaz
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Cat's eye
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December
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Ruby
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Ruby
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Ruby
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Topaz
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This list combines the lists of: American Gem Trade Association, American Gem Society , European Jewellers Guild
1st: |
Gold Jewelry, Mother of Pearl, Peridot |
Traditional gift is paper... Papier mache beads could work. Or jewelry inside a scroll, written with poetry or a love letter. Modern is "clock"... Perhaps a watch with a beaded bracelet in the stone of the anniversary month? |
2nd: |
Garnet |
Modern gift is china... Consider porcelain beads, perhaps in combination? |
3rd: |
Pearls, Jade |
Traditional is leather ... Necklace or bracelet on a leather cord? Modern is glass or crystal... So maybe those on leather cord |
4th: |
Blue Topaz, Blue Zircon |
Traditional gift is fruit or flowers... Perhaps watermelon quartz or tourmaline, carved flower pendants - even real flower beads! |
5th: |
Sapphire, Pink Tourmaline |
Traditional gift is wood...How about tree agate or mahogany obsidian? |
6th: |
Amethyst, Turquoise |
Modern and traditional gifts are candy or iron... Perhaps candy jade or tiger iron... or both? |
7th: |
Onyx, Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl |
Wood or Copper are the traditional gifts... Copper has become a popular jewelry metal. Maybe with mahogany obsidian? |
8th: |
Tourmaline, Tanzanite |
Traditional and modern gifts are bronze or pottery... Consider Pearl's bronze jewelry or tanzanite coloured Swarovski crystals. |
9th: |
Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst |
Modern gifts are linen or lace... How about lace agate? |
10th: |
Diamond, Blue Sapphire |
Modern gift is leather. If diamonds are out of reach, consider genuine Swarovski crystals...and sapphire or sapphire coloured Swarovski. |
11th: |
Turquoise, Citrine |
Modern gift is jewelry - so you can't go wrong here! |
12th: |
Jade, Opal |
Modern gift is pearls... Show how you feel with a custom piece combining these traditional components. |
13th: |
Citrine, Moonstone, Hawk's Eye (blue tiger eye) |
Traditional gift is lace... Making lace agate another perfect choice! |
14th: |
Opal, Agate, Bloodstone |
Modern gift is gold jewelry ... Consider 14k gold filled for a more affordable and unique 'fine jewelry' gift. |
15th: |
Ruby, Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite |
Traditional gift is crystal and modern is watches. Loads of inspiration here! |
16th: |
Peridot, Red Spinel |
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17th: |
Amethyst, Carnelian |
Watches are also included under 'gemstones' for this anniversary. |
18th: |
Cat’s Eye, Chrysoberyl, Aquamarine |
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19th: |
Aquamarine, Almandine Garnet |
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20th: |
Emerald |
Traditional gift is china, modern is platinum (Argentium silver would make a beautiful substitute). |
21st: |
Iolite |
We can offer several options using gorgeous iolite. |
22nd: |
Spinel |
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23rd: |
Imperial Topaz |
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24th: |
Tanzanite |
Tanzanite Swarovski crystals can be an affordable, but beautiful alternative. |
25th : |
Silver Jubilee, Tsavorite (green garnet) |
Silver is also the traditional and modern gift for the 25th anniversary. |
30th: |
Pearl Jubilee, diamond |
Traditional gift is pearl, modern is diamond. Consider pearls and clear Swarovski crystals. |
35th: |
Emerald |
Traditional gift is coral and modern is jade. |
40th: |
Ruby |
Ruby is also the modern and traditional gift for the this anniversary. |
45th: |
Sapphire, Cat's Eye |
Sapphire is also the traditional and modern gift. |
50th: |
Golden Jubilee, Imperial or Golden Topaz |
Gold is the traditional and modern gift for the 50th. |
55th: |
Alexandrite, Emerald |
Emerald is the traditional and modern gift for 55. |
60th: |
Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby |
Diamond holds ALL categories for this one! |
Sources:
1. ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein, http://www.gemstone.org/gem-o-rama/gem-o-rama_sayit.html
2. American Gem Trade Association, http://www.agta.org/gemstones/anniversaries.html
3. American Gem Society, http://www.americangemsociety.org/anniversary.htm
4. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Frederick Kunz (2003)
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