Summer’s Birthstones
Precious stones for the summer months
July – Ruby
Rubies have been considered for thousands of years to be the most rare and thus most valuable gemstones on Earth. In addition to that, the ruby is magnificent in its depth and brilliance of color. This beautiful stone is the second hardest mineral after the diamond and is actually a sapphire that becomes a ruby only when its color is red. Rubies have talismanic magical powers and across the ages have been worn by royalty as a protection against evil. Ancient tribes used the gem in warfare as bullets for blowguns. Early healers also ground rubies into a powder that when placed on the tongue, was found to cure indigestion. After scientists were able to replicate the ruby crystal, they were able to create the first lasers. This gorgeous and powerful gemstone is named after the Latin word ruber meaning red, a color that we immediately associate with life, blood, warmth, energy, strength and power. Red is also the color of love, vivacity and passion. The heart of a ruby is incomparable in its prism of fiery light; the mystical elements of fire and life-blood are caught fast in its crimson core. Like no other gemstone, the ruby is the messenger of powerful emotion; of lasting passionate love; of striving for the great heartedness in things. Yet, at the same time, its metaphysical qualities endow those who are lucky enough to own rubies, wisdom, happiness, a healthy disposition and a balanced approach to love and to the spiritual life.
August – Peridot
Earth in her volcanic form gives birth to peridots, the precious stone of August. This is why the vibrant green of the peridot burns with a fire from within and why this lovely stone is found in areas where volcanic material is still found. The name peridot derives from the Arabic word faridat that means gem. In its mineral form peridot is named olivine, and appears in a variety of greens, ranging from dark olive to pale yellow-green. Native Hawaiians found peridot crystals in the black volcanic sands of the Hawaiian Islands and they believe that they are the tears of Pele, their Goddess of Fire. Ancient Egyptians were mining for peridots as early as 1500 BCE and called them “the gem of the sun” not only because of their dazzling brilliance when reflecting the golden light of the sun, but also because they seemed to absorb and continue glowing with sunlight even as darkness approached in the night sky. Throughout history peridots have been used ritually and also in substance form to connect spiritually with Earth and creation. For instance priests in ancient Egypt drank Soma in the Isis temples during special rites. Soma was a sacred and intoxicating beverage that was ritually prepared from various ingredients including peridot. The potent liquor and the ecstasies brought on in the devoted celebrants during sacred rites permitted them to “unite” with the Earth Goddess, Isis. The powerful and evocative green crystal was also used as a protection against evil and, when set in gold, was particularly effective for alleviating nightmares. As a medicine and when ground to a powder it was used as an effective remedy for asthma and as a thirst-quencher for individuals suffering from extreme fevers. The force of nature burns with the light of life within a peridot. This gemstone powerfully symbolizes the vitality and life of a person. It signifies individual power, strong relationships, as well as the promise of new development and growth in the future.
September – Sapphire
The Greek word sapphirus meaning blue was given to this fabulous precious stone. Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum and can be found in every color of the rainbow with the most prized color being a rich deep blue. Gazing into the deep blue radiance of a sapphire is like seeing through the midnight blue of a crystal clear night sky. This regal precious stone was considered by many ancient civilizations to form a throne-like foundation upon which the Earth in her divine form as Goddess was set or seated. It was also believed that it was this sapphire throne that was reflected in blue by the sky. Sapphires provide protection particularly against the poisonous effects of jealousy and envy. In powder form they were used to cure colic, rheumatism, mental illness, and to strengthen eyesight. From a metaphysical perspective sapphires are symbolic of wisdom and purity, sincerity and fidelity. They also nourish and support the soul’s ascent toward heaven.