For centuries, sapphires of all shapes and sizes have decorated the most famous of royalty. But today, the traditional sapphire blue is not the only shade that gets September’s birthstone lusted after.
Featuring highly saturated pinks, oranges and more, these luscious stones hold many meanings within their facets. The gem is said to bring the truth to light, allowing for a greater understanding of justice and bringing peace to the minds of those who wear it. It’s easy to see why this has been commonly worn by monarchs.
Most famously, Prince Charles of Wales proposed to the beloved Lady Diana with a blue sapphire bordered with diamonds. This ring was later passed onto Kate Middleton and has long served as inspiration for commoners.
Old time New York royalty, the Rockefellers, owned another showstopper. At 62-carats, John D. Rockefeller bought the stone from Indian royalty and later had it set by Pierre Cartier himself. The ring stayed in the family and has always had a private owner.
However beautiful the Princess Diana’s and the Rockefeller rings may be, the Star of India is the mother of all sapphires. The 563.35 carat stone is the largest of its kind and is virtually flawless. In addition to its size, this milky stone is special by the fact that it features a star on both sides. Not to mention, within its history, the stone was actually stolen while being housed in the American Museum of Natural History in 1964. It was found two days later in a locker in Miami!
But sapphires aren’t exclusive. Young or old, small or large – sapphires, similar to diamonds, come in an array of styles and are perfect for any occasion, including engagements! So, will you be taking a note from royals past and donning this classic gemstone throughout the month of September?
Featured image courtesy of GIA
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Unbeknownst to many, sardonyx was actually the very first August birthstone. Giving you a peek into its personal story, each piece of sardonyx shows layers of sard and onyx – go figure – giving it a beautiful lineage of stripes.
In addition to its earthy wonder, the stone of course has mystical meaning. It is thought that it is encourages happiness and clear communication and was often used for strength and protection in ancient time. The Greeks and Romans are said to have worn sardonyx featuring engravings of great heros as a talismen. The best part? This stone is relatively inexpensive, meaning you can gather it and manifest its qualities as much as you’d like.
The most popular of August’s three stones is peridot, and it’s famous olive hue will leave all of your friends green with envy. Also known as the “Evening Emerald,” this richly vibrant gem is thought to bring good fortune.
Appropriately, peridot has graced several affluent places and people. Some believe that Cleopatra’s elaborate emerald collection may have been peridot. Now, most of the world’s peridots are found right in Arizona, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your hands on some!
Another lookalike, spinel is a gorgeous gemstone and often gets confused with sapphire and ruby (July’s birthstone)! But spinel comes in a variety of colors. From bright orange to soft lavender, you can be sure to find a piece that suits your August baby.
Not to mention, while this gemstone is very under-appreciated, it has a very royal history. Crown Jewels of England have featured incredible spinels, and it was a favorite Henry VII. But, Spinel is starting to become a favorite among gemologists and gem geeks due to their versatility and vibrant colors, and are being used more frequently as engagement rings. Many stones, like the “Jedi” spinel (pictured above) are all the rage right now.
So, will you be donning the gems of monarchs past or going for something more understated this month?
Featured image by GIA
]]>Believed to have been traded along China’s Silk Road, in ancient time the ruby was thought to provide protection and good luck. By other cultures, like the Greek and the Hindu, it was said the ruby could burn so hot that it could boil water.
Over time, that symbol of strength shifted between cultures and uniformly became an emblem of love and passion. This stems from the ruby’s natural glow like fire that comes from within, making it the ideal gift for significant others – only ever being upstaged by the significance of the diamond.
Not a July baby? Get to know June’s birthstones.
But, love isn’t the only thing rubies express. It’s blood red hue represents a life force. It is meant to embolden those who wear it by encouraging them and amplifying their energy.
One should wear rubies to feel empowered and bold. They are not just a striking accessory, but a meaningful token that should help you exude inner power. So, how will your summer be inspired by this precious gem?
Featured image by GIA
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While April babies boast about their birthstone, the diamond, being a girl’s best friend, it’s those born in June who really have something – make that somethings – to brag about.
Ruled by the seas and the skies, June’s birthstones (pearls, moonstone and alexandrite) are all beautiful symbols of change with a hint of mysticism. Get to know the significance of each of these historical treasures:
Believed to be the tears of mystical mermaids in Japanese folklore and the tears of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, in Grecian history, pearls have a long history filled with intrigue and admiration. As a sign of purity and class, pearls are delicate and feminine.
But there are more to pearls than what meets the eye; they tell a story of evolution from ordinary to extraordinary. A natural pearl forms when an irritant – typically a grain of sand – makes its way into an oyster, mussel or clam. It is from there, that the mollusk lubricates the object, forming a lustrous bead. It is this process that makes pearls so sought after, not only as jewelry, but as calming, spiritual tokens and symbols of female empowerment.
With an otherworldly glow and ethereal aura, moonstone has been used as a powerful talisman and thought to have been formed by moonbeams.
The moonstone is meant to be used for self reflection, as it is thought to conceal truths about a person under its lustrous exterior. This is a path to wisdom, and following the theme of a journey, the moonstone is often used as protection for travelers, bringing them hope. However, just like the people it guides, the moonstone comes in various forms. The rainbow moonstone acts as a prism while gray and white moonstones are reflective of the new moon.
Overall, this stone is shrouded in mystery and offers carriers a little sliver of the unknown universe.
Alexandrite is a chameleon among precious gems, and as it is very rare, it is exclusive to only those who can afford it’s expensive price tag. Originally found in Russia, it was George Kunz of Tiffany and Co. that brought the gem into the mainstream.
With a duo-chromatic feature – turning green to red in different ambient lighting – alexandrite is a symbol of power and royalty. Those who use this stone for its metaphysical properties believe has the ability to open the mind to harness more creative prowess and be more understanding of multifaceted situations. This is a great birthstone as it leads one to not only live a happy life, but to find joy from within.
Are you a June baby? If so, learn how to care for your pearls here!
If you're in the market for gems, be sure to check out our assorted gems here.
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