Garnet - The January Birthstone

Garnet - The January Birthstone 

Giving a piece of jewelry containing a birthstone gem will bring the wearer with good luck and protection. Monthly birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian Calendar. What is the Birth stone for January? The following old poem provides the answer! And this page provides some information about the meaning of the January gem stone, the color, symbolism and significance of this lovely birth stone:
 

January Birthstone poem - the Garnet
"By her who is this month was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity."

Properties of the Garnet
 
For those who were born in the month of January the garnet is the traditional birthstone. The January birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the garnet is associated - purity, truth, faithfulness and friendship. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the January Birthstone Garnet are  awareness, commitment, regeneration, insight and removing negativity. The healing properties of the January birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the blood, heart, lungs and infection. The garnet is also used to enhance sensuality and sexuality.

Stop by The Gold Mine today to see how beautiful the January birthstone really is!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren, Owner/Registered Gemologist
The Gold Mine
545 Main ST. Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1009

www.hudsongoldmine.com
goldman86@bellsouth.net

Citrine - The November Birthstone

November's gemstone, Citrine, is as warm as a Van Gogh painting of sunflowers. The name Citrine comes from an old French word, "citrin", meaning lemon. One of the more rare forms of quartz, this gemstone ranges in color from the palest yellow to a dark amber named Madeira because of its resemblance to the red wine.
Perhaps because of its scarcity, there is little mention of Citrine used as a gemstone prior to the first century B.C. The Romans were thought to be the first to wear the yellow quartz, crafting it into cabochon, or highly polished but unfaceted cuts of stone set into jewelry. Citrine became more popular during the Romantic Period, when artisans often favored these warm colored gems to enhance gold jewelry. Citrine, like all forms of quartz, was believed to have magical powers and was worn as a talisman against evil thoughts and snake venom. It was also considered to have medicinal properties and was commonly used as a remedy for urinary and kidney ailments.
Sister stone to the purple quartz known as Amethyst, Citrine crystals are found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. It is believed that some Citrine may have actually begun as Amethyst, but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to the yellow form of quartz. Citrine is known to change color when subjected to heat and is routinely heated in the jewelry-making process to intensify its color. For this same reason, though, this gemstone should not be left in direct sunlight for a long time because it will permanently alter the color. Most Citrine is mined in Brazil, but other sources of the quartz are Bolivia and Madagascar.
A gift of Citrine is symbolic for hope and strength. With its sunny brightness, this gemstone is ideal for helping anyone to get through the tough times in life!

'Til Next Time,

Bill Warren - Registered Gemologist/Owner
The Gold Mine
545 Main St.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1009
www.hudsongoldmine.com
goldman86@bellsouth.net