Whether we have inherited old items of jewelry from relatives or collect pretty pieces as a hobby, we all have our own unique tastes when it comes to gems. We may prefer certain colours or judge by how well a stone holds the light. We may simply seek out something that we have never seen before. But did you know that gemstones and bejewelled accessories can say a lot about the type of person that you are, based on the historical providence of the stone, its astrological significance and its therapeutic qualities?
However much or how little you may believe in the powers of these fascinating stones, there is no doubt that you will have your favourites. Here are some of the traits attributed to them.
The popular ones
Popularity in gems obviously depends entirely on where you come from. In the West, we think about diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds the most.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, as we know, so let’s start there. The reason they are the stone of choice is their incredible variety. A diamond might be yellow, blue, green or red, though we most often see the clear stones cut for jewelry. Their look, shine, durability and popularity combine to make them one of the most valuable gems in the world. However, while they can bestow fortune on Virgos and Libras, they have a reputation for bringing ‘disharmony’ to anyone whose star sign is Aries, Pisces or Scorpio.
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High-quality emeralds and sapphires can be much more valuable than diamonds. They are certainly no less beautiful. Green emeralds are associated with royalty and the Ancient Egyptians associated them with rebirth, believing they aided fertility. Other peoples have found them to aid the acquisition of knowledge, making them useful if you are preparing for exams! Blue sapphires are believed by some to be useful in improving concentration and removing doubts, healing the thyroid gland and even restoring the nervous system. Like diamonds, they can manifest in different colours, one of which is red and we know these stones as rubies. They, being red, as commonly associated with love, which is why they make such charming gifts. Rubies are the birthstone of those born under the Cancer sign.
The more obscure
Other precious and semi-precious stones are much-sought for their unique colours and qualities. Many of us will prefer them to expensive diamonds merely for their character and individuality.
Purple amethysts were once thought rarer than diamonds, but the discovery of rich deposits in South America led to the stone being reclassified. Nonetheless, it is thought to bring happiness and prosperity to those who wear it. Meanwhile, opals hold significance for those born in October and topaz for those born in November and December. If you are planning on going on an adventure any time soon, why not carry a peridot stone talisman for good luck? It could even help your asthma or sinus problems.
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Associations and popular culture
All of these stones have myriad properties depending on what you read and who you listen to. What cannot be denied is the impact they have had on our culture, largely due to their association with wealth and prosperity. How often do you see the names of precious stones or minerals attached to products or services? Most often now, these can be found in the world of online casino, where new slots games like Jade Butterfly and Eastern Emeralds rely on their gemstone motifs, with developers taking inspiration from the colours and effects we commonly associate with stones today. Indeed, the latest brand to launch in Canada is 21.com, which features these games and others like them, while gemstones elsewhere adorn everything from Pokemon games to dry-cleaners.
You may choose a piece of jewelry based just on how it looks or how it matches up with what you like to wear. But there is more to precious stones than meets the eye, which is something to think about the next time you are choosing accessories.
