What’s Your Birthstone
A crystal carver’s guide to the perennial favorites of the year.
Photo©miss_j/123rf
A crystal carver’s day is one spent diving into the magical world of minerals. Waking up, for example, to labradorite’s iridescence, as each of its layers meet the morning light, agate’s perfect patterns of bands, larimar’s soothing blues, the gentleness of pale pink rose quartz — all these stones silence the mind.
This captivating and colorful world is also an abundant one, with over five thousand minerals to get to know! And, this number continues to grow as more and more are discovered each year.
The following are the 12 birthstones (plus a few more), each embodying many different qualities, each of great stillness and beauty.
January
As the new year rolls in, we’re likely to be carving quite a bit of garnet, January’s birthstone. Although it’s a mineral which can come in many colors, the passionate red blood garnet has won our hearts. It’s not only a stone of romance and relationships, but it’s also been associated with abundance and protection.
February
As February begins, amethyst dust fills our eyes. February’s crystal is a striking stone of luscious purples or lilacs. Amethyst is hugely popular and used for greater wealth and powerful protection. The Greeks and Romans believed it prevented overindulgence, and still today it’s linked to higher levels of consciousness.
March
March’s birthstone, aquamarine, can be sea-green, gentle sky blue or more rarely, darker blue. Like many minerals, it often changes color in different lights. Known as a calming stone, and also for summoning courage, intuition, and clear communication, sailors are said to have carried aquamarine with them to keep them safe at sea.
March has a second birthstone, a mineral of red inclusions resembling specks of blood. Bloodstone is believed to support the circulatory system as well as boost vitality and courage.
April
It seems like the April birthstone, loved all year around, will be loved forever. Like humans abraded by life’s challenges, when cut and polished, a diamond can shine so brightly. Its high vibration is believed to clarify, purify, as well as balance all the chakras.
Crystal carvers are grateful to diamonds for helping us with their impressive hardness to carve all other minerals. We also get to embed them into some of our pieces, and this gem is believed to amplify the qualities of other stones, as well as embellishing these with the sparkle of a diamond. This precious stone gives so much and gets so much love in return.
May
With spring rolling by and nature blossoming, emerald continues to silently and mightily making its presence known. May’s birthstone is the most famous of the green gems. Green or sometimes blueish green, it’s believed to improve meditation, relaxation, and relationships. This precious stone is associated with the heart chakra. The most valuable emeralds tend to be Colombian, and are pure, without fractures or inclusions.
June
June’s iridescent birthstone is currently back in fashion. Linked to the third eye, pearl is believed to enhance intuition, soothe and uplift.
Other June birthstones are moonstone — another stone for intuition and of shimmering beauty — and alexandrite, a very rare gem linked to wealth and longevity. Famous for displaying a striking color change, alexandrite is often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night!”
July
July’s birthstone, ruby, can be many shades of red, pink, purple, orange or brown, and is associated with the heart, devotion, and compassion. Believed to bring vitality, flexibility, confidence, courage, passion, concentration, and creativity, ruby is also a gem linked to leadership and wealth. Ruby was once referred to as the “blood of Mother Earth.”
August
As the sun shines brightly in August, so do its two birthstones. Peridot can be a shimmery transparent yellow or green, and it’s high vibration is known for bringing a joyful lightness to life.
Sardonyx, a reddish white striped agate, is also considered to be an August birthstone, believed to help overcome depression and boost confidence.
September
September’s birthstone is most known for its beautiful blues, but can also be pink, green, orange, yellow. Sapphire is a precious stone which has been admired and much sought after throughout history. This regal gem is linked to tranquility and protection.
October
October’s birthstone, opal, is one of harmony, balance, and creativity. A stone of fiery, iridescent beauty, opals come in a wide variety of colors with black being the rarest. Opals are prized for their uniqueness.
The other stunning stone for the month of October is tourmaline. Tourmaline can be black, green, blue, watermelon or pink. Balancing and protective, it is known for its grounding qualities.
November
Topaz, November’s stone, can be pink, blue, green, or clear. Imperial topaz (golden yellow or more of a pink sherry colour) is the rarest and most valuable variety. This mostly Brazilian derived birthstone is believed to help with forgiveness, healing and letting go of the past. Topaz is also used to promote relaxation and to aid creativity.
December
December’s turquoise birthstone comes in an intense blue to blue-green array. A much-valued precious stone especially in jewelry and artwork, turquoise is believed to strengthen the body, enhance communication, and keep us safe.
The last month of the year has two other birthstones. Zircon, like diamond, is believed to balance all chakras. Lapis lazuli, a deep blue stone with an ancient history of spiritual use, is linked to the third eye and throat chakra, supporting intuition and expression.
As our year draws to a close, the crystal carvers sleepily head off to rest. Held by a spacious dark blue lapis lazuli night sky with golden pyrite stars and patches of white calcite clouds, we dream of carving crystals.
Sara Natarén Raso is a crystal carver, mostly into animals, for Gaia Hand Carved. She also enjoys writing, novels, and poetry.
