Overview
Choosing a gemstone as a personalized gift can carry more significance than you might expect. Certain meanings are associated with different stones, ranging from intent to mystical or healing qualities. While you certainly can choose a gemstone based on color and appearance, incorporating meaning may make the piece of jewelry you select more personal.
Traditional Meanings
Specific gemstones are linked to certain behaviors, traits or sentimental emotions. Some of these meanings are cultural, while others are specific to folklore. There's no doubt that diamonds are a romantic gift. If you wish to symbolize romantic love, give emeralds, rubies or moonstones. Friendship is linked to several gemstones including lapis lazuli, peridot, emeralds and rhodonite. RedEnvelope offers a friendship bracelet featuring a number of gemstones (see Resources). Garnets suggest luck and self-confidence as well as problem solving. For luck and protection, choose agate. Opt for amber to increase motivation and fulfill desires.
Healing Influences
While there is no medical evidence of healing properties connected to minerals and gemstones, there is certainly no risk in wearing them. Amber, amethyst and bloodstone are thought to help with mental and emotional conditions including anxiety and depression. Abalone is believed to to help heal the heart and muscular systems, while peridot is thought to improve sleep and aid in digestion. Quartz crystal, available in a variety of colors, is traditionally linked to good health and is credited with overall healing properties.
Birthstones
As most people know, various gemstones are associated with birth months. Birthstone jewelry is an easy personal gift for anyone in your life, especially as a birthday present or a gift for Mother's Day or a new mother. Garnets represent January, and amethysts represent February. March can be represented by either an aquamarine or a bloodstone. April and May are somewhat more fortunate, represented by diamonds and emeralds respectively. Choose pearls or moonstone for a June baby and rubies for July. August is linked to the pretty green peridot and September to sapphires. Select opal or tourmaline for October, and citrine or yellow topaz for November. December is represented by either turquoise or blue topaz. Take a look at RedEnvelope's birthstone cuffs or birthstone stacking rings for birthstone jewelry to celebrate a special someone's birthday or those of her children.