Wire Jewelry Inspiration: Symbolic Gemstones.

by Narlene Allen, Wire-Sculpture.com

Wire Jewelry Inspiration for
July 17, 2013

Symbolic Gemstones

How many times do we ask “what’s your birthstone?” Or how about “what do you give for a 50th anniversary?”  What about “what’s your sign?” Did you know that there are stones and meanings associated with all of these?

The other day I was browsing around the Wire-Sculpture website and came across a wonderful resource, and thought I would share it with all of you.

Let’s examine a word that we all use:  Gemstone or  “Gem”   which refers to “something of an exquisite or superior nature.”  Throughout history gems have been used for healing and spiritual rituals. Many believe that although gems were rare and exhibited great beauty, the reason they were so precious was due to the power they imparted to their wearers.

Whether you believe in the healing power of gems or not, there is definitely a common agreement that gemstones have been cherished ever since man first saw them glow in  the sunlight.

Today I thought I would share a few lists of stones and their associations for your reference.

THE SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF PRECIOUS STONES*

• AGATE – Health, longevity, wealth.
• ALEXANDRITE – Undying devotion.
• AMETHYST – Deep and pure love, prevents intoxication.
• BERYL – Happiness, everlasting youth.
• BLOODSTONE – Courage, wisdom.
• CARNELIAN – Prevents misfortune.
• CAT’S-EYE – Warns of danger and trouble.
• CHALCEDONY – Disperses melancholy.
• CHRYSOLITE – Gladdens the heart.
• DIAMOND – Purity, preserves peace, prevents storms.
• EMERALD – Immortality, incorruptibility, conquers sin and trial.
• GARNET – Insures power, grace, and victory.
• HYACINTH – Gives second sight.
• JACINTH – Modesty.
• JASPER – Courage, wisdom.
• MOONSTONE – Good luck.
• ONYX – Conjugal felicity.
• OPAL – Hope, innocence, purity, ill-omen.
• PEARL – Purity, innocence.
• RUBY – Charity, dignity, divine power.
• SAPPHIRE – Constancy, truth, virtue.
• SARDONYX – Conjugal happiness.
• TOPAZ – Friendship, happiness.
• TURQUOISE – Prosperity, soul-cheer.

*Links on stones indicate gemstones available on Wire-Sculpture.com.  Take a look! They are beautiful!

 

The chart below is featured in our Resource Center on Wire-Sculpture.

Symbolic Gemstones of the World

Traditional Anniversary Gifts and Stones

1st	Peridot, Gold jewelry	16th	Red Spinel, Peridot
2nd	Red Garnet	17th	Carnelian, Watches
3rd	Jade, Pearl	18th	Aquamarine, Cat’s eye chrysoberyl
4th	Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz	19th	Garnet, Aquamarine
5th	Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire	20th	Yellow Diamond, Emerald
6th	Turquoise, Amethyst	25th	Tsavorite
7th	Yellow Sapphire, Onyx	30th	Pearl
8th	Tanzanite, Tourmaline	35th	Emerald
9th	Amethyst, Lapis lazuli	40th	Ruby
10th	Blue Sapphire, Diamond	45th	Cat’s Eye, Sapphire
11th	Citrine, Turquoise	50th	Imperial Topaz, Gold
12th	Opal, Jade	55th	Alexandrite
13th	Moonstone, Citrine	60th	Star Ruby, Diamond
14th	Agate, Opal	65th	Blue Spinel, Blue Sapphire
15th	Rhodolite, Ruby	70th	Smoky Topaz, Sapphire
		80th	Ruby

Traditional Zodiac Stone Affiliations

Aquarius (Water Carrier): January 20 to February 18	Garnet
Pisces (Fish): February 19 to March 20	Amethyst
Aries (Ram): March 21 to April 20	Bloodstone
Taurus (Bull): April 21 to May 20	Sapphire
Gemini (Twins): May 21 to June 20	Agate
Cancer (Crab): June 21 to July 22	Emerald
Leo (Lion): July 23 to August 22	Onyx
Virgo (Virgin): August 23 to September 22	Carnelian
Libra (Scales): September 23 to October 22	Peridot
Scorpio (Scorpion): October 23 to November 22	Beryl
Sagittarius (Archer/Centaur): November 22 to December 21	Topaz
Capricorn (Goat): December 22 to January 18	Ruby

• What do you think about Gems and their symbolic significance?
• Do you keep it mind when building your creations?
• Do you subscribe to the healing properties of gems?

Tell us about it!  I would love to hear your thoughts and stories!

Feel free to visit our Resource Center and browse through the many tips and tricks that we have there!

Have a Wire Jewelry Idea you’d like to share? Click Here to submit your idea. You could be featured on our Blog!

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

 

Related Posts

• Gem Profile August 2: Zultanite; A Rare and Beautiful Gem.
  Gem Profile August 2: Zultanite; A Rare and Beautiful Gem.
• Wire Jewelry Resources July 31: Resource Center
  Wire Jewelry Resources July 31: Resource Center

14 Comments

1. 

   Judy

   July 17, 2013 at 6:38 am

   I absolutely believe in the power of gem stones. I do create specific pieces for the pupose of healing, or reducing stress, or for courage! it might all be in the individuals mind, but the mind is a powerful thing!
2. 

   Ann Heineck

   July 17, 2013 at 7:04 am

   This is very cool article! The only mistake I saw is Aries is not bloodstone, it’s Aquamarine. I happen to be an Aries, it’s the only reason I saw the tiny little mistake.. however, again, this is a fantastic article
   • 

     Peggy Powers

     July 17, 2013 at 1:59 pm

     Aries’ birthstone has always been a diamond….all across time. My father and grandson were born in April and that’s what my research showed. Actually I didn’t even have to research it. I have always wished I was born in April, but when it comes down to it “who cares”? You should just buy what you like not because some list says you should buy this or that.
3. 

   Jeanne

   July 17, 2013 at 8:59 am

   Personally, I don’t subscribe to the healing properties or symbolism of stones, but I know many do. I don’t generally consider these elements in my designs/design choices but I keep the assorted lists available for those who request pieces of that nature or ask about the properties of one of my pieces.
4. 

   Diane

   July 17, 2013 at 9:14 am

   When I first started selling my jewelry, I made a bunch of very simply wrapped stone necklaces hung on cord and and ribbon. I wasn’t using what the average person considers “gemstones,” but the less expensive, non clear stones. I had them at a fairly low price because they were quick to make and the supplies were pretty cheap. A few weeks later I sopped by the store I consign at (all handmade goods) to drop off a few more items. Only one of the necklaces had sold. I was quite surprised. I took them all home, looked up the different metaphysical meanings of them, made little cards with the information and attached them to the necklaces. They sold like hotcakes! Now that my skills have advanced, I am thinking of doing something similar. I won’t use ribbon again because the one I kept for myself became quickly soiled. And just do to practice, I have gotten much better and my tastes have also evolved. But I still want to keep them pretty inexpensive and quick to make. I will have to play around!
5. 

   Ellen Diana Moll

   July 17, 2013 at 9:59 am

   Is the Traditional Zodiac Stone Affiliations, the same as the birthstones? I have always been told that my birthstone is Ruby, my birthday is July 26.
   • 

     Trish G

     July 18, 2013 at 2:30 am

     I was wondering that myself. My birthday is September 24 and my birthstone is sapphire, not peridot. Peridot is for August birthdays. I’m confused.
6. 

   Marion

   July 17, 2013 at 2:00 pm

   Traditional birthstones are different from Zodiac gems; that’s confusing! I always considered Turquoise a traveler’s protection stone. I saw no stone listed with that quality.
7. 

   Bobbie

   July 17, 2013 at 2:02 pm

   Just a little curious why you show onyx as the birthstone for Leo? I have always been told that Peridot was my Birthstone my BD is Aug 17th. So is there a difference depending on the source (zodiac, healing, so on)?
8. 

   Sherry Etoll

   July 17, 2013 at 2:16 pm

   Many years ago, I read that Garnets were used to insure safe travel. For the last twenty plus years I have always been wearing one, or had one attached to my purse zipper. 4 1/2 years ago, I drove to DMV to renew my license. I had switched bags that day, and taken off my jewelry to shower. I was late for my appt. On the way home (I do not recall, but witnesses say ), that I swerved a little on the two lane highway, and hit a semi, 18 wheeler truck head on. I was in a coma for 3 weeks, and crushed every bone on the left side of my body. Needless to say, I am quite disabled now, but survived by the Grace Of God. When I had been in the hospital for two months, my Mom came to give me a little jar containing my jewelry from the accident. No garnets.
   I know that it is only through my Faith in God that I survived, but now, everyone I care about has a garnet, stashed in their car, or hanging from the rear view mirror etc. Maybe God blessed us with garnets. I know for sure God blessed me.I pray that all of you have safe travel always.
9. 

   Maree

   July 17, 2013 at 5:03 pm

   Hi Anne I see you are an Aries so am I and I was always of the opinion that Diamond was the Aries/April birthstone however over the years I have found that it totally depends on what list you are looking at I would guess you are a March girl which is Aquamarine but when you look at the star signs it changes to Bloodstone. There are many lists available from the early Romans, Christian and Modern and these are but a few. I think the article is well put together and I enjoy the information that is put out on stones and organics. Thank you for your efforts in educating people about gemstones.
10. 

    Pamela Sousa

    July 17, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    I must agree also, this is a great article, I have many customers who are interested in the healing properties of some stones…I know most but in today I did notice that pisces was listed as amythist, I am a Pisces and as far as I know my stone has always been bloodstone, I do like amethist better so I will stick with that. Thank you for the excellent info, I know it will help a whole lot.
11. 

    Pamela Sousa

    July 17, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    I must agree also, this is a great article, I have many customers who are interested in the healing properties of some stones…I know most but in today I did notice that pisces was listed as amythist, I am a Pisces and as far as I know my stone has always been bloodstone, I do like amethist better so I will stick with that. Thank you for the excellent info, I know it will help a whole lot.
12. 

    Robyn

    July 20, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Birthstones and zodiac stones are NOT the same thing! I’m an Aries/April baby, and love having the option of my birthstone (diamond) or Zodiac stone (bloodstone). The more the merrier, I say.

    I don’t really believe in the healing properties of stones, but I find a lot of people do. When I do shows I always bring a book that people can leaf through, in case they want information on what the stones in a piece are supposed to do. To each their own.