READY: Emerald Is the Birthstone for May

By: Linda B

Sources of Emerald
The proper name for the emerald is beryl, but there are different colors of beryl. Emerald green is the color as well as the stone. Most emeralds have inclusions (bubbles) in them. If the stone has too much blue in it, it is then an aquamarine. Pink beryl is morganite, yellow beryl is golden beryl, yellow-green beryl is heliodor. There is also a rare red beryl. The best beryl comes from Colombia and Brazil. Emerald can also be found in India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. An emerald of the right shade of green can be more valuable than a diamond.

Emerald Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Emerald Gemstone meaning

The emerald is the sacred stone of the goddess Venus.  The emerald has long been the symbol of hope. It is considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some people, the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. It is said that the emerald brings the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.

Peter Pan Collar

In several cultures, the emerald was the symbol for fertilizing rain. In the Christian faith it is the symbol of faith and hope.

Dichronic Glass Emerald Necklace

Healing properties of Emerald
Emerald is used by healers to help heal the heart. The power of the Emerald is highest at the full moon.

Some cultures thought the emerald would heal any disease of the eye. The emerald would be placed in a container of water overnight and the water would be poured on the eyes the next day.

Knitted Football Fan Cozy

Emerald is a stone of great harmony, wisdom and love. Giving your lover an Emerald will bring the lover closer if the giver's motives are pure love. The Emerald can be a bridge between 2 people. The Emerald vibrates with love.

The sun sign Taurus is from April 21 - May 20 - Taurus takes its name from the Greek Tauros, meaning "the Bull."

Shambala Bracelet

No one is more persistence and steadfast than Taurus. Taurus usually excels at his work, because he understands the importance of method and order. Taurus has a wonderful sense of humor and often uses his humor to be the center of attention. Taurus is not aggressive, but can be stubborn and self-indulgence.

Taurus is loyal and faithful friend. As a lover, Taurus is sensual and amorous. Taurus is very fond of music.
Taurus says, "I have"

emerald Earrings

Celebrities born under the sign Taurus 
Catherine the Great
Ann Margret
Burt Bacharach
Candice Bergen
Carol Burnett
Cher
Albert Finney
Sigmund Freud
Queen Elizabeth II
Audrey Hepburn
Shirley MacLaine
Jack Nicholson
Al Pacino
Michelle Pfeiffer
Barbra Streisand
Orson Welles

Posted by Linda B, Jewelry Designer

Sapphire is September's Birthstone

The Greek word "sapphirus", meaning blue, is the origin of the word sapphire. Sapphires are considered royal gemstones-priests and kings considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity.
Social, religious, biblical and Christian symbolism all have included the color blue representing heavenly grace. Since ancient times, blue has been considered a lucky color among the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. According to several rabbinic sages, blue is the color of God’s Glory. Staring at this color aids in mediation, bringing us a glimpse of the “pavement of sapphire, like the very sky for purity,” which is a likeness of the Throne of God. (The Hebrew word for glory, kavod, means “blue” in Arabic.)

Here are some finds from the Etsy Promofrenzy Team

Blue Moon Pendant	Sapphire Blue crystal Bracelet
Sapphire Blue Swarovski Crystal Seder Plate Earrings	Sapphire Blue Dragonfly Earrings

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum.  Corundum is found in every color of the rainbow, with red being designated as ruby and all other hues Sapphire. The most prized color of Sapphire is a rich, deep blue. Sapphires with colors other than blue are generally referred to as fancy sapphires. The distinctive blue of the sapphire is due to minute amounts of oxide of iron and titanium in the stone.

Sapphire Corundum
courtesy of minedirect.com

These gemstones were mined as early as the 7th Century BCE from India and what is now Sri Lanka. They are found today in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Madagascar, and the United States. 

Large specimens of Corundum crystals are rare, although the 563-carat Star of India can be seen in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, NY.  This is the largest and most famous of star Sapphires, which are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone, revealing a bright six-legged star pattern. 

The Sapphire is second only to the Diamond in hardness, making it a durable gemstone for setting into jewelry.  A gift of Sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness. As nourishing to the soul as gazing up at the sky on a summer day, this brilliant blue gemstone is truly a heavenly choice!

Sun Rays - Rays of Hope Photo	Fused Glass Dichroic Bowl Emerald Green and Sapphire Blue
Vintage Sapphire Ring	Lapis Lazuli Cats Eye Necklace
Blue Bicone Toggle Clasp Bracelet	Light Sapphire Rivoli Ring

September birthdays are divided into 2 signs:
Virgo, “the Virgin” in Latin, “Partenos” in Greek is the astrological sign for birthdays from Aug 22 to Sept 21 and Libra from September 23 - October 22 (coming in another article).
Ruling planet - Mercury
Quality - Mutable
Element - Earth
Greatest Overall Compatibility - Taurus, Capricorn
Best for Marriage and Partnerships - Pisces
Color - Navy blue
Metal - Quicksilver
Lucky Numbers 5, 3

Virgo characteristics: Mental agility, analystical skills, healing powers, ability to give attention to details
Virgo is an excellent manager with thrifty ways and a clear head. Virgo should watch out not to be too critical of others not so strong willed. It takes hard work to win the love of Virgo, but once won, the love glows so hot it seldom cools.
Negative traits: Destructive criticism

Celebrities born under the sign Virgo

Lauren Bacall	Virgonard Bernstein
Jacqueline Bisset	Sid Caesar
Sean Connery	Ben Gazzara
Greta Garbo	Jesse James
Lyndon B Johnson	Sophia Loren
Bob Newhart	Lily Tomlin
Racquel Welch

By: Linda Blatchford, Jewelry Designer of www.lindab142.etsy.com
Part of this article originally appeared at http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com