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The engagement ring is the celebration of love and a symbol of mutual commitment. Each and every relationship is special, so I think the ring should reflect the uniqueness of the couple, whether same has traditional or alternative jewelry tastes.
Less traditional rings, without diamonds, have always enjoyed widespread popularity, and in recent years, since Prince William’s engagement with Catherine Middleton onwards, they have become increasingly popular.
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- What is a birthstone?
The birthstone is a gem that represents a person’s birth month. So each month of the year corresponds to one or more gems.
The lore according to which certain stones correspond to particular months of the year is ancient and has its roots in many cultures, in astrology and in various religions.
It even seems that the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Persians and Indians were used to assign a stone to each month. Furthermore, according to legend, whoever wore a gemstone could benefit from its healing and therapeutic powers, especially in the month corresponding to the gem.
Birthstones evoke myths and legends about their powers, and whether you believe these tales or not, learning about the gemstones is a fascinating experience.
- Why a birthstone in lieu of of the traditional diamond?
Each stone has its own peculiarities and carries specific energy. A gemstone corresponding to your birth month (or your partner’s birth month) adds personality to the ring, stands out from the crowd and says something about the couple. Additionally, don’t forget the wonderful touch of color, making the ring so sparkling!
Indeed, birthstone rings offer an incredible variety of colors and proposals.
The engagement ring is one of the most loved jewels, so a meaningful birthstone is a very good way to celebrate such an important and romantic moment.
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- Birthstones characteristics
Although colored gems are very precious, sometimes they are less expensive than diamonds. This feature allows you to choose a larger colored central stone for a spectacular effect.
Another key factor you should consider is that each gem has its own degree of hardness (you can learn more about this topic here), which varies from 2.5 to a maximum of 10. Stones with a high degree of hardness (for example, diamond, sapphire, ruby) are perfect for a central stone setting. With regards to all the other gems, which may not be strong enough for every day wear, you should consider a very protective topic setting, or a creative model that incorporates the birthstone beside the central stone or on the ring shoulders, or finally a halo surrounding the central gemstone.
Always talk to a trusted jeweler for advice and proposals.
The type of gemstones and their position on the calendar has been debated for a long time, however the version I propose here below is the generally accepted one.
According to what the historian Titus Flavius Josephus tells us, it appears that the gem/month connection originated from the breastplate of the prophet Aaron, brother of Moses. Twelve gems were set in the breastplate, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, but also the signs of the zodiac and the months of the year.
In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers in America drew up the version that we still use today. This list was amended in 2002, when tanzanite was introduced as additional December gemstone.
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Here below I propose the definitive list. Let’s take a look at the months of the year for some inspiration!
Engagement Rings and birthstones: month to month
JANUARY garnet
FEBRUARY amethyst
MARCH aquamarine
APRIL diamond
MAY emerald
JUNE pearl / moonstone / alexandrite
JULY ruby
AUGUST peridot
SEPTEMBER sapphire
OCTOBER opal / tourmaline
NOVEMBER topaz / citrine
DECEMBER tanzanite / turquoise / zircon
Prior to proceed with the purchase, make sure that the stone is accompanied by a certificate drawn up by a respected international institution which certifies all the detailed characteristics, such as dimensions, colour, measurements, treatments applied (if any) and possibly geographical origin.
Birthstones are the perfect choice if you are looking for a personalized and meaningful ring. In this magical and precious rainbow of colors, I’m sure you will find the most suitable gem for the ring of your dreams!
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