Written by Naomi Shaw

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Popular, elegant, and unique, birthstones make a beautiful gift for just about any occasion. Part of a tradition that goes back to ancient times, birthstone gifts are reputed to bring luck, prosperity, and healing to the wearer. If you are giving a birthstone as a gift for the first time,  keep the following guide in mind as you shop.

Birthstones by Month

Standardized in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, each month of the year has its own birthstone. Ranging in colors and properties, these stones all boast a plethora of unique attributes. The following is the current internationally accepted list of birthstones by month:

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Aquamarine

April: Diamond

May: Emerald

June: Pearl/Alexandrite

July: Ruby

August: Peridot

September: Sapphire

October: Tourmaline/Opal

November: Topaz/Citrine

December: Tanzanite/Zircon/Turquoise

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

The History of Birthstones

Thought to date back to the 12 gemstones that once represented the 12 tribes of Israel, birthstones have a long and rich history. The book of Exodus describes the Breastplate of Aaron as a garment set with sardius, topaz,carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, ligure, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. These 12 stones were later connected to the 12 signs of the zodiac, an idea that ultimately evolved into the concept of birthstones that we understand today. Although scholars attribute the origin of birthstones to Aaron’s breastplate, similar concepts have cropped up in cultures throughout history, with many societies considering certain stones to have properties that set them above and apart from other gems.

When to Give a Birthstone

Birthstones can be given on a wide variety of occasions, making great mother’s day, Christmas, anniversary, and birthday gifts alike. If you are on a tight budget and can’t afford a genuine gemstone, there are some great lab-created alternatives available. Aesthetically, your family member or significant other most likely won’t be able to tell the difference. If you want to give a birthstone as a gift, but aren’t a huge fan of the colour of the stone, don’t be afraid to branch out a little from tradition. A garnet, for example, does not necessarily have to be red. Garnets, like many other gemstones, come in a wide range of colours–including pink, green, orange, and black.

Unique Birthstone Gifts

There’s no limit to the number of unique ways in which a birthstone can be given. For parents, how about a personalized family ring? Crafted from gold, platinum, or silver, personalized family trees incorporate the birthstone of each included family member. Alternatively, handcrafted jewelry is always a great way to go–think an opal bracelet for an October baby, featuring 5 different opal varieties. Birthstones can also be set into watches, jewelry boxes, ceramics, and art.

No matter how you give a birthstone, it’s sure to be an appreciated and treasured gift. As you search for the perfect piece, try to keep in mind the personal preferences of your family member, friend, or significant other. Do they like natural stones, or treated ones? Do they have a favourite color? Are they a “bling” fan, or do they prefer subtle jewellery? If you aren’t sure what they like, just have fun with it!

The wheels of life, chakras play a crucial role in our development

Do you feel your body and spirit are in tune? If you answer No to this question then one or all of your Chakra’s may be blocked or unbalanced.
Do you perhaps have trouble communicating or expressing yourself? – Your Throat Chakra could be blocked.
Do you feel you are lacking in physical energy? – Your Base Chakra maybe blocked or depleted.
Are you having creative difficulties? – Perhaps your Sacral Chakra is blocked.
Are you stressed or have you experienced a recent shock? – Your Solar Plexus Chakra may need balancing.
Perhaps you need help with spiritual power and clairvoyance? – Your Brow Chakra may not be in tune.
Or aid in meditation and spiritual potential? – Your Crown Chakra could be closed.
Would you like to open yourself to universal and individual love? – Your Heart Chakra could need opening.
Why not try our Chakra Oil? Each package comes with full information on the Chakra, and a careful blend of the correct oils which are in tune with that particular Chakra.
Once your Chakras are balanced you could try using a traditionally blended Chakra Balancing oil to help keep them that way.

Making your own emergency beading kit – did you ever think that an emergency beading kit would be a necessity?

For all jewellers out there, it may be a familiar scenario – you are working on a piece of jewellery when all of a sudden a piece breaks and there are no substitutions at hand. It is a creator’s nightmare!

Luckily there is a solution to this issue, and an emergency beading kit is precisely the thing to have at hand when you are working on a piece. This way, time and energy are saved in the event of a disaster and you will not be finding yourself at the bead store yet again rushing for the latest fallen parts.

What to Include in your Emergency Bead Kit

Starting with the essentials, there are several basics that should be on hand at all times.

Let’s take a look first at what materials are most used when making jewellery: thread, beading chain, wire and clasps. These are the materials most likely to break when creating a piece. Especially with regard to threading and chains, those parts are not known to last and can give way in the event of holding a too-large pendant in if the thread or chain is too delicate.

Try organising each category into separate sections. This way, organisation is at the maximum and you will not be spending too much time searching for a lost item.

In addition to having the nuts and bolts of jewellery in your emergency beading kit, it is also helpful to include other beads and metals that you would intend to design with. By having decorative items in your kit, it they will be readily available to replace any damaged or scratched stone or beading surface. It is best to refrain from over-collecting, however – keeping the materials in your emergency beading kit still should be kept only to the essential items. Hoarding is discouraged since it will detract from the important items that you do have, and will make finding specific items more challenging.

Benefits

By having a selection of threads and wires in your emergency beading kit, not only is it about precaution, but also about choice. The benefit of having choices in your selection will result in a more natural and finished look to the end product. The other added benefit of having a ready-made selection at hand is inspiration. While one may have an idea in their mind before creating a piece, it is also beneficial to play around with different options using nearby materials. In this way, the emergency beading kit will also aid in being an essential beading kit for the creative juices.

The emergency beading kit is a great idea for those that want to stay organized and on task. The best part about the emergency beading kit is that you can customize it to whatever your needs are. Storing the emergency beading kit near your tools is a logical choice- it is about keeping your work area clean and organized so you have more focus on the item at hand that you are creating. Good luck!

Louisa Jenkins is a lover of jewellery making and blogging. Here she blogs on the best way to avoid last gasp trips to a bead shop such as Cookson Gold, in order to deal with a beading emergency!

Usually, when we desire justice it is because we see something in our lives that doesn’t feel right or that violates the right of someone else’s’ existence; after which, we navigate here to get help. We feel a sense of anger about our situation or the situation of someone else. Gemstones that promote a sense of protection, truth, and justice can help in times when society’s problems seem overwhelming. Whether you are seeking out injury loans to pay for legal counsel for a personal injury after an accident, heading into an event that you’re anxious about, angry at violence happening in the world, or overcome with an unexplainable sense of injustice, here are six stones that can help.

Sard

Sard strictly symbolizes justice. It is a bright red and orange colored stoned associated with the element of fire. Used to heal cancers and ulcers, drinking Sard water is said to heal liver and gallbladder problems. It reduces egoism and fanaticism so that partnerships and relationships can experience deeper levels of emotion. It sharpens and promotes personal and sexual confidence. Therefore, it increases openness with one’s fellow human beings.

Rock Crystal

Rock crystal, a transparent and grey stone, is used by Buddhists to achieve enlightenment and has been used by clairvoyants to carve crystal balls. It relaxes and invigorates the mind while promoting a sense of justice. Rock crystal also have a strong effect on ailments in the body including fever and muscle pain. Native Americans keep rock crystal in cribs of newborn babies. Keeping a piece of rock crystal in your pocket as you go into court or into a mediation will relax and promote justice among yourself and those around you.

Sapphire

The heavenly blue, a stone that has weight in almost all religions and traditions around the world. It is a sign of royalty, prophecy, and divine favor. It is a bright shining blue and has the strongest healing properties on the nervous system than any other stone because it regulates the thyroid gland. It brings a confidence in one’s own intuition. It offers protection while grounding you so that you can face a new challenge confidently. As you seek out legal counsel or head into a new job, carry Sapphire with you.

Malachite

This is a wonderfully green stone with one-of-a-kind bands that run around it in variations of light and dark green. Malachite is a very soft and has been used throughout history as paint or makeup after being grounded into a fine powder. Malachite is used for protection; especially, when the striations of green make an eye shape. It can also energize stagnant areas of your life, like if your case isn’t moving. Use it to promote justice, protection, and a constant flow of energy in your life.

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is one of the rarest gems in the world. It change color. The stone shines green in sunlight but then turns to red in artificial light. Alexandrite wasn’t discovered until the 1830’s and is named after the Russian king, Alexander II. The stone is thought to bring good fortune and good luck and balance between the physical manifest world and the spiritual unmanifest world and is supposed to strengthen intuition, creativity, and spirituality. Use this stone to pull luck on your side as you enter a new tribulations such as an injury after a car accident. Hopefully it could be useful, but if you need a sound option

Zane Schwarzlose is a writer at The Loewy Law Firm in Austin, Texas. He enjoys holistic practices and sharing techniques to help clients get back on their feet after being injured.

SHIVA LINGAM

Composed of “Crypto Crystalline Quartz”. Of all the stones found on earth, Shiva Lingams are reputed to have the highest frequency. They emanate a vibration that will purify your sacred space or home. No two stones are alike.

These are lingam stones, they are only found in one area in the world, in India on the banks of the Narmada River.The material is cryptocrystalline quartz. These egg shaped stones are naturally shaped and finished polished by the locals who just rub them with mud and natural oils. The lingam is used in meditation and crystal healing for balance. When I hold them in my hands the energy feels kind of like water in a balloon moving back and forth. The material is a mix of chalcedony with iron oxide and goethite.