Monthly Archives: January 2017

There are many references to children wearing jewelry both in historical writings as well as the Bible. Children have worn jewelry throughout the centuries for several different reasons. Jewelry has mostly been used for personal decoration. But children have also worn jewelry to show status and wealth. Superstitious beliefs have...

January’s birthstone, the garnet, is thought to encourage sweet dreams and keep the wearer safe during travel.  Garnet is known to symbolize constancy which means firmness of mind or stability.  The garnet also signifies eternal friendship and trust and is the perfect gift for a friend.  Garnet, derived from the...

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, was believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, the god of wine and intoxication.  In fact, the word 'Amethyst' comes from the Greek word" amethystos" , meaning sober.  The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from a Greek...

Derived from the Roman word "Aqua" meaning water, and "mare" meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of sea water.  The ancient Romans believed that the aquamarine was sacred to Neptune, the god of the sea, having fallen from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed...

April's birthstone, the diamond, is remarkably simple in composition yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant color.  The word diamond comes from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable or invincible. The myths and facts associated with the diamond transcend cultures and...

May's birthstone is the intense brilliant green emerald.  Emerald is derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek.  Within its depths are tiny fractures which the French call "jardin," or garden because of their resemblance to foliage.  The ancient Romans associated this gemstone with fertility and rebirth, and dedicated...

The pearl is the official birthstone for the month of June.  The Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that their goddess of love shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea.  Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons...

July's birthstone is one of the most highly prized gems in history.  The word Ruby comes from the Latin word "ruber" meaning red.  In the ancient language of Sanskrit the Ruby is called "ratnaraj" meaning "king of precious stones".  In Greek mythology Heraclea's kindness to a female stork was rewarded...

The name Peridot comes from the Arabic work "feridat," meaning gem.  When natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii, they explained their presence as tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess.  Early Egyptian priests drank a stimulating beverage called Soma from cups made of Peridot, believing this...

Ancient civilizations believed that the world was set upon an enormous Sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection.  Named after the Greek word "sapphirus," meaning blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite amongst priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity. In ancient times...

The opal derives its name from the Latin word "opalus" meaning precious jewel.  The opal is prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect light.  The opal was call "Cupid Paederos" by the Romans meaning a child as beautiful as love.  One legend states that the origin of the...

The name topaz comes from Sanskrit, meaning fire.  The golden color of the yellow topaz was believed by the Egyptians to be the glow cast by the sun god Ra.  They wore yellow topaz as an amulet to protect them from injury.  The Greeks believed that the stone could make...