Jewelrycreations By Carma: Gemstone Charts

GEMSTONE CHARTS

Since the primeval age of history precious stones have always been associated with man. Primitive people appreciated their value as jewelry, and knew perfectly well how to make full use of their special qualities. Precious stones were belived to possess some mysterious, magical properties, and a special healing power. Stones were thought to be connected with the stars and were believed to be able to influence human fate. Therefore everybody should carry his so-called "birth-stone" with him (the stone for the month in which he was born), as this was supposed to safeguard his health, happiness and property.
At first precious stones were used in their natural form. Only later people began to polish them to stress their color and lustre. The art of treating precious stones was best understood by the Indians and Egyptians. The optical properties of transparent stones was enhanced by a symmetrical cut of small, smooth surfaces called facets.

POPULAR CONTEMPORARY FACETED STYLES

Brilliant and related fancy cuts

round

oval

pearl

marquise

Step or trap cuts

Opaque, colored minerals are often cut into facetless domed forms. This treatment is called the Cabochon Cut.

MODERN BIRTHSTONE CHART

January	Garnet
February	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine
April	Diamond
May	Emerald
June	Alexandrite
July	Ruby
August	Peridot
September	Blue Sapphire
October	Rose Zircon
November	Golden Topaz
December	Blue Zircon

TRADITIONAL BIRTHSTONE CHART

January	Garnet
February	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine or Bloodstone
April	Diamond
May	Emerald
June	Pearl or Moonstone
July	Ruby
August	Peridot or Sardonyx
September	Blue Sapphire
October	Opal or Tourmaline
November	Topaz
December	Turquoise or Lapis Lazuli

BIBLICAL OLD TESTAMENT BIRTHSTONE CHART

January	Jasper
February	Sapphire
March	Chalcedony
April	Emerald
May	Sardonyx
June	Sardonyx
July	Chrysolite
August	Beryl
September	Topaz
October	Chrysophrase
November	Bloodstone
December	Amethyst