The diamond as a birthstone is known for enhancing relationships and increasing inner strength. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for of diamonds are balance, clarity and abundance. The diamond is one of the motherhood amulets and symbolizes honor and virtue. Though the stone has many magical properties in hand, it is said it should be worn on the left hand or around the area of the head for best results.
The Widespread Fame and Fascination of the Diamond
Throughout history diamonds have been revered, even worshiped for their sparkle, radiance and sometimes mystical allure. Early Greco Romans believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods and fragments of falling stars. The fire and brilliance of the diamond captured the imagination of early Hindus who placed the diamonds in the eyes of their statues. It’s virtually indestructible nature lead early British knights to embed them into their armor, which they believed would make them invincible. The deep blue hue of the Hope Diamond, arguably the most famous diamond in Earth’s history, is said to have once formed an eye of a statue of the Indian goddess Shiva, from where it was robbed in 1642 by a traveler called Tavernier. Upon this act, the curse of death and destruction was cast on anyone owning, nearing or coming in contact with this legendary diamond.
Though the Hope Diamond may be the most famous
diamond, the largest diamond known to man is in a galaxy far far away in the constellation Centaurus. The long rotting corpse of this white dwarf star “BPM 37093” (or Lucy to her friends) is roughly 50 light-years away from Earth, weighs roughly 5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds and totals approximately 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 carats!
A brief history on Birthstones
The history of birthstones and how they are worn stretches back over many centuries. The idea of a person wearing their birthstone became popular during the fifteenth or sixteenth century in Poland. The traditional belief was that everyone wears the specific birthstone assigned for each month since the powers of the gemstone were heightened during its month. To get the total effect, it was thought that individuals needed to own an entire set of twelve gemstones and rotate them monthly.
As world trade and relations grew throughout the 1800s, so did information regarding the circulating history of Earth’s cultures. Our present day astrological association with the months of the year most likely comes from Tibetan origin. The Tibetans attributed mystical powers to each gemstone. For example, if you wore a diamond, the stone would strengthen all the energy centers of its wearer. Thousands of years ago in India, the Ayurvedcic Indian Medicine list was created. Stones were given mystical and medicinal powers. Some were ground up and actually consumed while others were worn.
In 1912, the Jewelers of America Association formalized a modern birthstone list that is not only accepted in the United States but worldwide.
Gemstones are worn today as fashion adornments and are often chosen for aesthetic reasons. It is still common to wear your own birthstone or one of someone significant to you giving the stones the added dimension of meaning and personal connection. There are endless jewelry options available whether it is a necklace, bracelet, earrings, a ring or even worry stones. New gemstones are always being discovered and fashion often dictates what gemstones are hot for each particular season. No matter what stones you like or decide to wear, birthstones are always fashionable.
I stopped by a major retail store to purchase a doggy bed for my 5 month old Goldendoodle Monty, who I’m worried is starting to get chilly at night (I know, he has fur!). While standing in line for over half an hour along with other frustrated consumers, and as we watched several drop out of the line and just go home without making their purchase, I decided it would be a great blog to discuss the great benefits of online holiday shopping with West Coast Jewelry!
