The Bead Sisterhood

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Gemstone meanings and symbolism

Every so often, we find, give or receive a gift so special, so personal and so meaningful that we truly never forget it. At The Bead Sisterhood, we LOVE to create just such pieces!

Browse these resources to find the 'perfect' inspiration for the 'perfect' gift - that one you want her (or him?) to always treasure. If you'd like for US to provide the inspiration, just drop us a line with some information about the sentiment, the occasion or the recipient and we can help you take it from there.

Who doesn't love a gift that's beautiful? Who doesn't love even MORE a gift that is beautiful, meaningful, one-of-a-kind ... and even custom-designed?! Now THAT's a gift that's hard to top and a 'thought' that really 'counts'!

By Feelings & Expressions | By Stone | Birthstones

Anniversary Gemstones | History & Lore

What I'm trying to say is...

The wealth of symbolic meaning given to gemstones comes from many sources from ancient to 'new age'. Not all lists of birthstones and meanings are the same, but the element that seems most consistent is the colour of the stones. Colour was often the source of ancient beliefs about the meanings - and even 'powers' - of these treasures of the earth. With the incredible array of stones available today, this means that most feelings, promises or tributes can be expressed with more than one stone. Here are some examples....

Sincerity: Sapphire and other blue stones (lapis lazuli, iolite, blue topaz).

Though sapphires come in many colours, the main colour associated with it is blue. Blue is associated with feelings of harmony, commitment, friendship, loyalty and constancy. Feelings and qualities that surpass fleeting passions and grow in strength and worth over time. In many countries, women wish most for a sapphire ring on their engagement.

Rebirth: Emerald, Chrysoprase, Aventurine, Green Jades, Peridot

Do you need to start fresh in your relationship? Do you want to tell someone you care about that you wish them the best in a new marriage or stage of life, a new job, new town...? Green is often seen as the colour of life, nature and springtime... even wellness, harmony and wealth. In ancient Rome it was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. Green is a colour that changes in hue and visual prominence from daylight to night.

Electricity: Tourmaline (a rainbow of colours)

Tourmaline comes in many colours - even multiple colours within the same stone, making it known as the "gemstone of the rainbow.". An ancient Egyptian legend says that "the tourmaline, on its long journey up from the centre of the Earth, passed over a rainbow. In doing so, it assumed all the colours of the rainbow." (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein)

Passion : Ruby, Garnet

No colour is more associated with love and passion than RED. It is linked with warmth and vitality - with the heart and that 'quickened pulse' set off by the one we love or desire... or both! Ruby is considered "The Queen of Gemstones" (or by some, the King). Red is the colour of fire and blood, making it not an expression of cool and collected sentiments, but of fiery and intense passion.

Harmony: Aquamarine, Aqua Quartz, "Water Sapphire" (iolite)

The soft blue tones of aquamarine are associated with feelings of "sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship"... feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships" (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein). It's similarity with the colours of the sky and the sea associate it with the divine and eternal.

Sobriety: Amethyst

In ancient times, people drank wine from amethyst cups believing the stone offered protection against alcoholism. According to the ancient Greek saga, Diana turned a nymph whom Bacchus loved into an amethyst; hence the term Bacchus stone. Anyone wishing to protect a drunkard from delirium mixed some pulverised amethyst into the person's drink. (Please do NOT try that at home... or anywhere else!). The Greek words 'amethystos' mean 'not intoxicated' in translation. (from ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein). Sometimes sobriety deserves to be celebrated!

Purity: Amethyst

Amethyst is said to protect its wearer against seduction. Amethyst has been seen as a symbol of trust and piety, since it was believed to put the wearer in a 'chaste' frame of mind.

The above 2 might just make Amethyst the PERFECT gift for a daughter heading off to college! Even moreso since it has also been believed to "inspire the intellect."

The Sea: Aquamarine

Aquamarine blue is the colour of water. No wonder, when you consider that according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone. Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea).

The Sun: Topaz, Citrine, Sunstone, Amber

The Soul: Sapphire

Courage: Aquamarine, Agate, Bloodstone

Health: Emerald, Green Aventurine

Faithfulness: Sapphire

Fertility: Emerald, Topaz

Feminine Wisdom: Pearl

Lasting Friendship: Tourmaline, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise

Love: Garnet, Rose Quartz, Rhodonite, Emerald

Easing Sadness, Anger and Fear: Topaz

Peace: Amethyst, Peace Jade

Spring(Did you meet in the spring? Fall in love? Is it her favourite season?): Emerald and other green stones

Autumn(Did you meet in the fall? Propose? Do you both love the fall?): Autumn Jasper, Amber, Carnelian, Poppy Jasper

Gemstone Meanings by Stone

Agate:	Self-acceptance, balance, courage, harmony
Amazonite:	Dream fulfillment
Amber:	Vitality, motivation, creativity, calm, once believed to be 'pieces of sunshine'
Amethyst:	Love, spirituality, serenity, creativity, prevents intoxication
Aventurine:	Health and healing, strength and purpose, abundance and prosperity
Bloodstone:	Courage, wisdom.
Carnelian:	Well-being, sexual energy, motivation, openness and receptivity
Chalcedony:	Lifts sadness
Citrine:	Clarity, confidence, patience, awareness
Emerald:	Eternity, love, healing, prosperity
Fancy Jasper:	Nurturing, bringing joy to others
Fluorite:	Inspiration, new ideas, broad thinking, mental achievement
Garnet:	Passionate love, power, grace, and victory, devotion, named for its resemblance to pomegranate seeds
Goldstone:	Health and healing
Hematite:	Balance, serenity, protection
Howlite:	Calm, uplifting
Iolite:	Truth, awareness, simplicity, sometimes called "Water Sapphire"
Jade:	Unity in groups and relationships, health, prosperity, long life
Jasper:	Courage, wisdom
Labradorite:	Inspiration, spiritual insight
Lapis Lazuli:	Dreams, warding off sadness
Malachite:	Faithfulness, partnership, transformation
Moonstone:	Hope, wish fulfilment, destiny, quick thinking, inspiration
Obsidian:	The stone of the soft and gentle-hearted, also associated with positive change.
Onyx:	Marital harmony, protection, grounding, concentration, strength
Opal:	Hope, innocence, purity
Pearl:	Purity, innocence, feminine wisdom
Quartz:	Connection to the earth, strength, healing, overcoming obstacles
Rhodonite:	Emotional support
Rose Quartz:	Love and devotion
Ruby:	Love, charity, dignity, divine power
Sapphire:	Constancy, truth, virtue
Sardonyx:	Happiness in love
Serpentine:	Luck, protection, transformation, healing
Smokey Qtz.:	Balance, harmony and lifting sadness
Sodalite:	Harmony, intuition, calm
Tiger Eye	Courage, confidence, wealth
Topaz:	Friendship, happiness.
Tourmaline:	Electricity, lasting friendship,
Turquoise:	Prosperity, soul-cheer, lasting friendship
Unakite:	Contentment, joy and seeing the beauty in life

Birthstones

Month*	Modern Birthstones	Traditional Birthstones
January	Garnet	Garnet
February	Amethyst	Amethyst
March	Aquamarine	Bloodstone
April	Diamond	Diamond
May	Emerald	Emerald
June	Pearl, Moonstone	Alexandrite
July	Ruby	Ruby
August	Peridot	Sardonyx
September	Sapphire	Sapphire
October	Opal,Tourmaline	Tourmaline
November	Yellow Topaz, Citrine	Citrine
December	Blue Topaz, Turquoise, Tanzanite	Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli

* The "Modern Birthstones" are those on the official birthstone list of the American National Association of Jewelers and the American Gem Trade Association.

Other Birthstone Traditions

Month	Hebrew	Roman	Arabic	Hindu
January	Garnet	Garnet	Garnet	Ruby
February	Amethyst	Amethyst	Amethyst	Topaz
March	Bloodstone	Bloodstone	Bloodstone	Opal
April	Sapphire	Sapphire	Sapphire	Diamond
May	Agate	Agate	Emerald	Emerald
June	Emerald	Emerald	Agate	Pearl
July	Onyx	Onyx	Carnelian	Sapphire
August	Carnelian	Carnelian	Sardonyx	Ruby
September	Peridot	Peridot	Peridot	Zircon
October	Aquamarine	Aquamarine	Aquamarine	Coral
November	Yellow Topaz	Yellow Topaz	Yellow Topaz	Cat's eye
December	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby	Topaz

Anniversary Gemstones

This list combines the lists of: American Gem Trade Association, American Gem Society , European Jewellers Guild

1st:	Gold Jewelry, Mother of Pearl, Peridot	Traditional gift is paper... Papier mache beads could work. Or jewelry inside a scroll, written with poetry or a love letter. Modern is "clock"... Perhaps a watch with a beaded bracelet in the stone of the anniversary month?
2nd:	Garnet	Modern gift is china... Consider porcelain beads, perhaps in combination?
3rd:	Pearls, Jade	Traditional is leather ... Necklace or bracelet on a leather cord? Modern is glass or crystal... So maybe those on leather cord
4th:	Blue Topaz, Blue Zircon	Traditional gift is fruit or flowers... Perhaps watermelon quartz or tourmaline, carved flower pendants - even real flower beads!
5th:	Sapphire, Pink Tourmaline	Traditional gift is wood...How about tree agate or mahogany obsidian?
6th:	Amethyst, Turquoise	Modern and traditional gifts are candy or iron... Perhaps candy jade or tiger iron... or both?
7th:	Onyx, Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl	Wood or Copper are the traditional gifts... Copper has become a popular jewelry metal. Maybe with mahogany obsidian?
8th:	Tourmaline, Tanzanite	Traditional and modern gifts are bronze or pottery... Consider Pearl's bronze jewelry or tanzanite coloured Swarovski crystals.
9th:	Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst	Modern gifts are linen or lace... How about lace agate?
10th:	Diamond, Blue Sapphire	Modern gift is leather. If diamonds are out of reach, consider genuine Swarovski crystals...and sapphire or sapphire coloured Swarovski.
11th:	Turquoise, Citrine	Modern gift is jewelry - so you can't go wrong here!
12th:	Jade, Opal	Modern gift is pearls... Show how you feel with a custom piece combining these traditional components.
13th:	Citrine, Moonstone, Hawk's Eye (blue tiger eye)	Traditional gift is lace... Making lace agate another perfect choice!
14th:	Opal, Agate, Bloodstone	Modern gift is gold jewelry ... Consider 14k gold filled for a more affordable and unique 'fine jewelry' gift.
15th:	Ruby, Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite	Traditional gift is crystal and modern is watches. Loads of inspiration here!
16th:	Peridot, Red Spinel
17th:	Amethyst, Carnelian	Watches are also included under 'gemstones' for this anniversary.
18th:	Cat’s Eye, Chrysoberyl, Aquamarine
19th:	Aquamarine, Almandine Garnet
20th:	Emerald	Traditional gift is china, modern is platinum (Argentium silver would make a beautiful substitute).
21st:	Iolite	We can offer several options using gorgeous iolite.
22nd:	Spinel
23rd:	Imperial Topaz
24th:	Tanzanite	Tanzanite Swarovski crystals can be an affordable, but beautiful alternative.
25th :	Silver Jubilee, Tsavorite (green garnet)	Silver is also the traditional and modern gift for the 25th anniversary.
30th:	Pearl Jubilee, diamond	Traditional gift is pearl, modern is diamond. Consider pearls and clear Swarovski crystals.
35th:	Emerald	Traditional gift is coral and modern is jade.
40th:	Ruby	Ruby is also the modern and traditional gift for the this anniversary.
45th:	Sapphire, Cat's Eye	Sapphire is also the traditional and modern gift.
50th:	Golden Jubilee, Imperial or Golden Topaz	Gold is the traditional and modern gift for the 50th.
55th:	Alexandrite, Emerald	Emerald is the traditional and modern gift for 55.
60th:	Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby	Diamond holds ALL categories for this one!

History and Lore

The place of gemstones and jewelry in history, folklore and legends is too rich and diverse to even begin here. Luckily, The Bead Sisterhood has among its members, Pearl Blay, otherwise known as The Beading Gem. Pearl's blog, The Beading Gem's Journal, is a delightful source of many such stories. Visit Pearl's blog here.

Sources:

1. ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein, http://www.gemstone.org/gem-o-rama/gem-o-rama_sayit.html

2. American Gem Trade Association, http://www.agta.org/gemstones/anniversaries.html

3. American Gem Society, http://www.americangemsociety.org/anniversary.htm

4. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Frederick Kunz (2003)