If you aren’t wild about your birthstone, there’s a good chance that you may prefer your “astral stone,” the gemstone that matches your astrological sign. read more...
Traits of Aries reflected by Bloodstone:
Courage & Energy
Bright spots of Iron Oxide touch the canvas of dark Green Jasper, igniting blood red flickers within the stone. Darkly brooding, mysterious Bloodstone is extremely popular with today’s generation.
Buyer’s Guide
- To most accurately evaluate a piece of Bloodstone jewelry, bring it into direct light and carefully examine its color, and the flecks of Iron Oxide within the stone. If there is any yellow, orange, or white, or if the Green Jasper is muddy or bluish, then this stone is not of the highest quality. Bloodstone is opaque in nature, and therefore clarity should not be one of the measures of its value. Bloodstone is easily cut into a myriad of different shapes; Cabochon is the most popular. An affordable stone, rings are therefore often set with large Bloodstones. Bloodstone is also extremely popular in men’s jewelry. For instance, many men born in the month of March will choose Bloodstone over the Aquamarine, as Bloodstone was the traditional, formerly accepted birthstone for March.
- Ranking a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, Bloodstone is one of the harder gems, but should be treated with care. It is popular with every age group, and is available in a wide range of prices. Bloodstone is also a versatile fashion choice, as black will go with just about anything in your wardrobe.
Did You Know?
- Bloodstone is also known as heliotrope,which is derived from the Greek for “sun.” It was dubbed the “martyr’s stone” because it was so often used to carve images of Christ and the crucifixion. Bloodstone is said to have originated when the blood of Christ fell from the cross, and touched the Jasper on the ground before him.
Ruling Planet: Mars
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
View all Sapphire Gemstone Rings
Traits of Taurus reflected by Sapphire:
Dependability & Stability
Sparkling with blue fire, Sapphire is the most popular gem in America today. This is not surprising, since blue is the favorite color of most men and women in American society.
Buyer’s Guide
- The word Sapphire, with no color listed before it, refers only to Blue Sapphires. All other varieties of Sapphires must have the color listed before it, i.e. Yellow, Orange, Pink, Green, Black Sapphire, etc. Ruby’s chemical compound is called corundum, and it is the same as that of Sapphire. Long ago, it was decided that red corundums would be called Rubies, and all other colors would be called Sapphires. The most important factor when purchasing a Sapphire is the intensity of the blue color. Ideally, you want to find a brilliant blue that is not too dark in tone. Almost all Blue Sapphires sold today have been heat-treated to improve their appearance. This is a widely accepted practice that does not reduce the value of the stone.
- Chatham® has perfected a method of creating synthetic blue sapphires that are identical to the natural gemstone in crystal structure, hardness and optical qualities.
Did You Know?
- In India, Sapphire is associated with the planet Saturn. There is a stigma attached to the stone as a result, and Sapphire jewelry is not widely produced there. Fortunately, Americans have no such superstitions about this beautiful gem.
Ruling Planet: Venus
Alternate Taurus Gemstones: Coral, Agate, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Crystal Quartz, Azurite, Emerald
Gemini (May 21 to June 21)
View all Chalcedony Gemstone Rings (Agate)
Traits of Gemini reflected by Chalcedony:
Lively; Versatile
Mysterious and magical, Chalcedony (agate), is a member of the quartz family. It can be almost any color, but it is most prized in its loveliest pale blue-grey form.
Buyer’s Guide
- Agate, Jasper, Bloodstone, Cornelian, Onyx, and Chrysoprase are all members of the Chalcedony family. Chalcedony should be protected from scratches and harsh chemicals. Chalcedony is a relatively inexpensive gemstone.
- The most prized Chalcedony mines are in India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.
- Widely believed to cure depression and encourage tranquility of spirit, Chalcedony has also been used as a cure for insomnia.
- Often carved into cameos by Victorians, it was valued for carved seals in Rome because wax would not stick to it.
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Alternate Gemini Gemstones: Aquamarine, Citrine, Peridot, Tiger Eye, Emerald
Cancer (June 22 to July 22)
View all Emerald Gemstone Rings
Traits of Cancer reflected in Emerald:
Imagination, Loyalty, and Sensitivity
Bursting with lustrous green color, seeming to flicker with the vitality of the rain forest, Emerald is representative of eternal Spring. The color most soothing to the human eye, the shades of Emerald are the shades of Nature itself. A gem that has its own color, Emerald Green is the bright shade representative of this enchanting stone.
Did You Know?
Buyer’s Guide
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As part of their distinctive character, natural Emeralds all have flaws. These many inclusions are referred to as “jardin”, or garden, by the French because they resemble the foliage of plants. These small fissures are filled by gem cutters with epoxy resin in order to protect the stone and enhance its appearance. This is a widely accepted practice, and should not detract from the value of your gemstone. Emeralds are also bathed in colorless oils to enhance their clarity. Therefore, you should not soak your Emerald jewelry in water or chemical cleansers, or else you will wash off this protective layer. Rating a 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, Emeralds can, however, be brittle, and should be handled with care. Extremely rare and popular for their calming green color, Emeralds are more expensive than Diamonds. The most valuable gems have a fresh, bright green known, aptly, as “Emerald” green. In the 1930’s, Carrol F. Chatham® perfected the process of synthesizing Emeralds of fabulous quality, which have fewer inclusions than natural stones, and are much more affordable.
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The most classic, octagon shape for Emerald jewelry is called the Emerald Cut. It suits this gemstone well, as Emeralds are cut for weight and color, rather than clarity.
- Emeralds were the favorite gem of Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of ancient Egypt
- The ancient Incas worshipped a giant Emerald as a deity, even “sacrificing” smaller Emeralds to their goddess Esmerelda.
Alternate Cancer Gemstones: Amber, Moonstone, Aventurine
Leo (July 23 to August 22)
Traits of Leo represented by Onyx: Ambition, Courage, Confidence, and Independence
Bold, rich, and dramatic, Onyx is one of the hottest gemstones in today’s fashion market. They are especially exquisite when paired with sparkling Diamonds.
Buyer’s Guide
- Most of the Onyx available on the market today has been routinely heated and dyed to improve its color. Onyx is relatively affordable, and is a versatile stone that will match anything in your wardrobe. A 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, Onyx is a somewhat soft stone that may become chipped or scratched if not cared for properly. It is excellent for carving. Dark, brooding stones like Onyx and Bloodstone are extremely popular in today’s jewelry market, especially with younger consumers. A variety of chalcedony quartz, Onyx is mined in Uruguay, Brazil, India, and California.
- Onyx jewelry makes a classic gift for seventh and 10th wedding anniversaries.
- In Rome, Onyx was often carved with the likeness of Mars, the God of War. It was believed that such images gave courage to soldiers about to risk their lives in battle.
- The name Onyx is derived from the Greek word for fingernail. Legend states that Cupid trimmed the fingernails of the goddess Venus while she was sleeping. These clippings, scattered on the ground, became the gemstone Onyx.
Alternate Leo Gemstones: Amber, Citrine, Peridot, Crystal Quartz, Ruby, Danburite
Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
View all Green Jade Gemstone Rings
Traits of Virgo that are reflected by Jade: Analytical; Conscientious; Modest; Practical
With its lush olive hues, green Jade has been treasured by mankind for more than 4,000 years.
Buying Guide
- In addition to green, Jade can be found in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, orange, pink and violet. /li> In 1863, it was discovered that Jade actually has two forms, Nephrite and Jadeite. Though hard to distinguish from one another, Jadeite is considered more valuable because of its rarity. Emerald-green Jadeite known as "imperial jade" is the most valuable form of all.
- Jade rates a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Did You Know?
- As early as 3000 B.C., Jade was known in China as the "royal gem." Greatly prized, a particularly valuable piece of Jade could start wars and purchase entire cities.
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Alternate Virgo gemstones: Agate, Peridot, Rhodochrosite, Ruby, Carnelian
Libra (September 23 to 0ctober 23)
View all Peridot Gemstone Rings
Traits of Libra that are reflected by Peridot: Artistic; Charming; Diplomatic; Easygoing
Born of fire, bright, grass-green Peridot is a component of lava. Known in Hawaiian legend as the tears of the goddess Pele, Peridot has a youthful vitality that could cheer the darkest day.
Buyer’s Guide
- Because it is not a rare stone, the standard for quality Peridot gems is eye clean stones with no visible inclusions. The most valued color of Peridot is a bright green, the darker the better. Very yellow- or lime-green stones, or those with an olive tone, are not as highly regarded. You should ask to see a Peridot stone under both incandescent and fluorescent light to observe how the color may change.
- The finest large Peridot gemstones are currently mined in Pakistan.
Did You Know?
- In the days of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra claimed the Peridot mines of fog-shrouded St. John’s Island for her own. Because of their high nickel content, the fabulous gems from these mines had a distinctive, deep green color, and many of the Queen’s “Emeralds” later proved to be Peridot. Because its brilliance does not fade with the light of day, in ancient Egypt Peridot miners also worked at night. They would mark the locations of the ore, and return during the day to dig. It was actually more difficult to find during the day, because the stone would blend with its surroundings. At night, the gleam of Peridot endured through the dark. Peridot is one of the few gems that only occurs in one color. The depth of green depends on the content of iron within the crystals.
- Called an “Evening Emerald” because it does not fade in lamplight, but instead seemed to glow in the evening hours.
Ruling Planet: Venus
Scorpio (October 24 to November 21)
View all Aquamarine Gemstone Rings
Traits of Scorpio reflected by Aquamarine: Idealism; Passion; Subtlety
The gemstone of sirens and sea-goddesses, Aquamarine is the crystalline color of Caribbean waters.
Buyer’s Guide
- Aquamarine is most prized in its pure light blue form, with no green tones. Clarity is the most important factor when determining the value of a particular gemstone. Because it is not rare, Aquamarine in an extremely affordable stone, and stones are available in larger sizes. Aquamarine gems with excellent color saturation can be purchased for a very reasonable amount of cash. Because they have few visible inclusions, Aquamarines are often polished in long, shallow cuts in order to achieve the best color and refraction of light. A 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is a relatively durable stone, but must be cleaned often to best emphasize its clear, watery color. Clean in soap and water with a soft bristle brush.
- Aquamarine is vulnerable to sunlight, as prolonged exposure will cause fading. So store your Aquamarine jewelry in a dark place. As with any jewelry, remove it when you are doing manual labor of any kind, to protect it from possible scratches or chips.
Did You Know?
- The talisman of sailors, it was believed to protect them from coming to harm while at sea. It was also believed to have come from the treasure chests of mermaids.
Alternate Scorpio Gemstones: Amber, Bloodstone, Jasper, Malachite, Ruby
Traits of Sagittarius reflected by Tourmaline: Lady Luck's Companion; Philosophical
Tourmaline is found in more colors than any other gemstone. However, the most popular varieties and Pink and Green Tourmaline.
Buyer’s Guide
- Tourmaline rates a 7-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
- Clean your tourmaline jewelry with warm, soapy water. Avoid exposure to heat or abrasive chemicals.
Did You Know?
- Tourmaline is sometimes referred to as the “peace stone,” as it was believed that this gem had the power to induce calm and dispel fear.
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Alternate Sagittarius Gemstones: Amber, Chrysocolla, Jasper, Malachite, Moonstone, Blue Topaz, Turquoise
Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
The most wicked of gems, Ruby burns with the color of passion. Rich with voluptuous color that could banish the night, Ruby is truly the King of Gems.
Traits of Capricorn reflected by Ruby: Determined; Disciplined; Patient; Steady
Buyer’s Guide
- Extremely durable, Ruby ranks a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. In the world of natural gemstones, only Diamonds rank higher. Like Emeralds, all natural Rubies have imperfections. Color can be non-uniform, and stones can contain inclusions of “rutile” needles known as “silk.” Almost all rubies are permanently heat-treated before cutting to improve color. Heat-treating can also heal cracks and fractures in the stone. Ruby is the world’s most expensive gem. However, stones of lower quality do have lower prices. Geometric designs of Ruby jewelry are very popular among both men and women. Ruby conveys classic style.
- The mineral Chromium is responsible for Ruby’s luminous red color. A mixed blessing, Chromium also corrupts the stone, causing inclusions and marring its perfection.
- Hindu priests believed that the homes of the gods were lighted by Rubies. Those in Ruby-rich countries such as India, Burma and Ceylon held the belief that Rubies “ripened” with age. To them, Sapphires were unripe Rubies, and the presence of inclusions in stones meant they were overripe. Legends from the East stated that Rubies contained the “spark of life.” Some even believed that it was self-luminous, and called it "lamp stone." A Ruby that turned dark was believed to warn of impending doom or death.
- The term used to describe the most desirable color of Rubies from Burma used to be “Pigeon’s Blood Red.” However, these days the term is rather meaningless, as how many people can say they have actually seen a pigeon’s blood?
Alternate Capricorn Gemstones: Agate, Amethyst, Cat’s Eye, Garnet, Crystal Quartz, Turquoise
Aquarius (January 20- February 18)
View all Garnet Gemstone Rings
Traits of Aquarius that are reflected by Garnet: Friendly; Independent; Inventive; Original
The hue of the last embers of a cozy fire, Garnet is dazzling in its luminosity. Although Garnet gemstones are found in a rainbow of colors, three of the most popular are: regular red Garnet, Mozambique Garnet, and Rhodolite Garnet.
Buying Guide
- Regular: These gems are a deep, rich wine red. The most valued stones are transparent enough to display the 'heart of fire', the inner glow for which Garnets are known. Mozambique Garnet: Reminiscent of the Autumn harvest, this gemstone glows a deep reddish-orange with hints of brown. The burgundy wine tones of Mozambique Garnet evoke visions of exotic India and the Orient. Rhodolite Garnet: This gemstone is bright with raspberry brilliance. A vibrant hot pink, its exuberance could cheer the bleakest day. Flattering to all skin tones, the name Rhodolite Garnet is derived from the Greek words rhodon and lithos, meaning rose-stone, and occurs in raspberry red to dark bubblegum pink. Garnets are affordable enough to be available to almost anyone. Garnet is generally not enhanced in any way, and its color is not affected by normal exposure to heat or light. Garnets rank a 6-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness scale, and so are hard, durable stones. However, normal care should be taken to avoid chipping and cracking.
- Clean your Garnet jewelry occasionally with a soft, dry cloth. Garnet can be placed in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, but you should avoid exposing garnet to harsh chemicals.
- Rumored in ancient times to be self-luminous, or even contain a flare of lightning, the extraordinary fire of Garnet is now understood to be a result of its high refraction of light. Noah is said to have steered the Ark through treacherous floodwaters by the light of a lantern made of Garnet. Garnet jewelry was entombed with Viking warriors to light their passage to the paradise of Valhalla. During the Crusades, soldiers set Garnets into their armor, believed that it would keep them safe from harm.
- The name Garnet is derived from the stone’s ancient association with the Pomegranate. The color of Garnet is similar to the seeds of this fruit.
Alternate Aquarius Gemstones: Amber, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Hematite, Turquoise
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
View all Amethyst Gemstone Rings
Traits of Pisces that are reflected by Amethyst: Compassionate; Emotional; Romantic; Mystical**
Lovely Amethyst is Crystallized quartz that occurs in nature in colors varying from deep purple to pale lavender.
Buyer’s Guide
- The most valuable Amethyst gemstones are deeper and darker in color, with no red or blue tones. African Amethysts have a tendency to be darker in color, and thus more valuable, than those from South America. A naturally prolific stone, it is easy to find affordable stones of the finest quality. Because it is so readily obtainable, jewelry makers often use Amethyst to experiment with fun, new ring styles. Rating a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, Amethyst is thus one of the more durable stones. Amethyst is very vulnerable to heat and light. Direct sunlight can lighten the color of your gemstone, and can even change it to a muddy brown. Be sure to remove your amethyst jewelry when sunbathing, hiking, or when involved in any other activity in which you will be in direct sun for long periods of time.
- Clean with a soft bristle brush and warm water. No ultrasonic cleaners should be used.
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Alternate Pisces Gemstones: Amber, Bloodstone, Cat’s Eye, Jade, Crystal Quartz, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Peridot
Continued...
Check to see which gemstone is believed to enhance the influences of your ruling planet. This buying guide also offers a few tips that will assist you when purchasing specific gemstone rings. Included are some pitfalls to avoid, and some helpful hints for identifying quality stones. Down through the ages, supernatural and healing powers have been attributed to each gemstone. This is because gems were believed to have been handed down from a divine power. The definitions for the terms ‘gem’ or ‘jewel’ were created by humans, rather than by science. Minerals form within the earth, and when they dug up and cut into shapes, they become gems. When they are placed into decorative settings for rings, necklaces, and bracelets, they become jewels. The value of a gem or a jewel is determined by its size, color, durability, rarity, and beauty. It is an ancient tradition to have an assigned birthstone for each month of the year. In modern times, gemstones have also been linked to astral signs.
By studying which gem is most appropriate to the traits or ruling planet of a particular sign, astrologers have come up with this list of the most commonly accepted stones of the Zodiac.
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