We’ve all heard that diamonds symbolize true love, but what are the symbolic meanings of other popular gemstones? From ancient times to today, gems of every hue have been imbued with significance and special powers by cultures around the world. Here are the legends associated with some of the world’s most treasured jewels:
Sapphire
Blue has long been considered the color of fidelity, and sapphires were once the preferred gem for engagement rings (before diamonds claimed that honor in the early 20th century).
Emerald
Legends have said that placing an emerald under your tongue gives you the ability to foresee the future (but we do not recommend that!), and that emerald protects against evil spells and can cure disease.
Ruby
Ancient Hindus believed that those who offered rubies to the god Krishna would be emperors in a future life. People in India and Burma have also believed that rubies offered safety and peace, and medieval Europeans thought that these gems guaranteed health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love.
Amethyst
Because of its color the ancient Greeks associated amethyst with the wine god Bacchus, and believed that the gem could prevent drunkenness. Amethyst has also been thought to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted.
Peridot
The Egyptians thought that peridot protected against nightmares and brought the wearer confidence, good luck and health. In fact, it’s believed that some of Cleopatra’s famous emeralds were actually peridots.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is believed to provide courage, mental clarity and good health. Because of its association with water, aquamarine has been said to keep sailors safe at sea.
Pearl
In ancient China, pearls were believed to protect against fire, and in Europe they were associated with chastity and purity. Pearls retain that association with innocence today.
Garnet
Garnet has long been associated with clergy and nobility. In ancient Egypt the pharaohs wore red garnet necklaces, and in ancient Rome rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax on important documents.
Citrine
This gem is also known as “healing quartz,” because legend has it that citrine promotes vitality and energy in whomever wears it. And according to the Chinese feng shui philosophy, citrine creates wealth and abundance.
Opal
Because opals can exhibit so many different colors within a single stone, it has long been thought to possess supernatural powers. In ancient Rome, this gem symbolized love and hope. The ancient Greeks believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy and guarded them from disease. Europeans have long considered the gem a symbol of hope, purity, and truth. Once, it was thought to have the power to preserve the life and color of blond hair.
Zircon
Folk wisdom says that zircon has the power to relieve pain, protect travelers and prevent nightmares. In the Middle Ages, this gem was thought to induce sound sleep, drive away evil spirits, and promote riches, honor, and wisdom.
Topaz
Topaz symbolizes love and fidelity, and is said to bestow strength and intelligence on the person who wears it, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Turquoise
From ancient times to today people have ascribed special powers to turquoise. Native American tribes of the Southwest wore turquoise as an amulet thought to offer protection, and in ancient Persia (and modern day Iran) some believe that wearing turquoise can ward off the “evil eye” (other people’s ill will).
Final Thoughts
Do you buy into the idea that gemstones have special meanings or powers? Do you wear a gem as a good luck charm? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook , Twitter, or in the comments section!
I have always loved Sapphires and Amethyst, wear them a lot. The rich color of the Sapphire speaks to my soul!!!
GEMSTONES ARE BEAUTIFUL WHICH HAVE FULL POWER TO PROTECT AND GIVE LOVE TO PEOPLE
love emeralds
I love all the Gems presented. It caught my attention and interest to know the meaning of each Gem. On our 40th Wedding Anniv., my Hubby bought me a ring which the store owner said that because we are celebrating 40 years, he recommended to my Hubby, to get a Ruby ring. And fortunately that time there’s only one available Ruby Ring in his store which precisely my exact size for my right ringfinger. I love the beautiful and awesome style/setting of the ring and I was overwhelmed when my Hubby surprised me with it that I do gave him a surprise reward in return!
PS (Re: my reward, that’s between me and him…Lol!)
Wow wonderful
love it
Yes I do I wear Turquoise all the time gotten at a flea market in AZ. And I wear crystal some one gifted me.
Love all stone, but my favorite is the Emerald.
I want to see all of your opals I was born in October and I heard it’s bad luck for someone who was not born October to wear an opal
I love the study of gem stones
I was born in November which is yellow topaz but I was given an opal necklace once. I wore it as it was beautiful. I had a really horrible year. I was talking to someone about it once and we were overheard by a very nice older lady beside me. She looked right at me and told me to take the opal off! She said if it is not your birthstone it is call the sad stone. I took it off and never wore another opal again. Life’s been great!
nice
NO WAY! The only good luck associated with gemstones is being lucky enough to afford them!
I love my Opals, they are coloured as if on fire. They don’t seem to be as popular in North America as they are in Europe.
I would like to say that I think that this very interesting ..! And thank you for the information .
love your webpage
I am a gem enthusiast! I have studied their powers, and other properties they hold too! I enjoy telling ppl what their birthstone is, and what it represents! I also make jewelry, for friends and family, which includes a bio of each stone! But, why do some months only have one birthstone, while others have several…such as June? It has 4…pearl, alexandrite, tanzanite, and moonstone aka bloodstone! Either way, this article was informative, and entertaining…good job!!
I would say nope wear anything you like.
The topaz shown is actually a $3 blue topaz which is not a topaz at all.
Gem Topaz does come in a few colors, the most notable being the deep honey hue of Imperial Topaz which tends to be quite expensive, but blue is not one of them.
The article was very enlightening. I am a March person so my stone is blood stone or aquamarine. I love the different hues the aquamarine come in. The most beautiful piece I ever saw was a combination aquamarine and pearls. I also collect brooches made from Sterling Silver and marcasite. I reside in central Oregon and I love all the gems that are found in our region. Thank you again for the wonderful tutorial.
What were the gemstones used in the high Prists breastplate in the Old Testament.
I’ve been interested in gems
I’ve always loved the emerald
Mine is a emerald
Opal is my birthstone for the month of October. Now that’s a magical birthstone. Fascinating to look at. Almost like a kalidascope of changing colors and so many varigated varities. I could never get bored looking at an opal stone.Firey opals. Cool as snow with ever changing hues of a rainbow. Pretty as a special snowglobe in itself amazingly hipnotizing.I could go on. Fairy tales do come true when there is an opal looking back at you. Opal jewelry makes me happy instantly. I guess you could “Fall”as in this season of October for this birthstone. Always and forever.
I wear peridot because it’s my birth stone I just love the color of aquamarine it’s just so pretty
Pretty stuff. I would like to own each piece shown here. When I was three I had a huge jewelry box stuffed with some real jewelry and some fake. I loved to play with it. I would pile on necklaces, bracelets and rings. My ears were not pierced at the time so I only had clip ons. They kind of hurt. I was glad to get my ears pierced. Every girl young or old loves jewelry
Would enjoy info on rare colored gemstones.
Nice to know about using blue for wedding rings
Interesting
Yes, I do feel gems have special meanings. I wish I could afford more!
Needed coins
Needed the coins
You learn something new everyday.
Enjoyed the info
🙂
I love emralds
Hi Denise, you can learn more about emeralds on our website here: https://www.brilliantearth.com/emerald-education-treatment/. Thanks for your interest!
Hi Reggie, your birthstone is opal. Thanks for your interest!
The application is so much good for students and oldest, and alas fantastic fishing tgar
I wants knows about the world’s
Idk what
Hi I’m Sean thank you I love this
Hey what’s up I’m Sean
Hey
Please send more info ( e- mail about emeralds).
What is my gemstone/birthstone for October 12, 1972?
What is my gemstone/birthstone for 10/12/1972?
Look great.
my birthstone is a garnet and what you say about this stone is somewhat true especially about the nobility part since I am a blood aristocrat. Now I’d like to obtain a sapphire and a citrine in their natural state. I will wait till later. thank you ever so much!!!
Beautiful jewelry . Interesting information.
This is cool ?
Meaning of Gemstones beautifully described. Great Blog!
Stunningly beautiful jewelry
Would like to see a variety of settings including alexandrite
June has two birthstones, the pearl and the gem stone Alexandrite.
I liked it
oooo very pretty
Thank u
love the sapphire
Thank you.
Yes. I two believe in stones. Real ones. Not synthetic. Specially garnet. Turquoise. I have one is turquoise. Tree if life. Sometimes feels so heavy. I take it off. It does shine more at night. I love learning about stones. And their history. I am attracted to real stones and real silver. Turquoise. Diane’s (princess) engagement ring. Is so beautiful. The blue is so soothing.
To much $$$$
Mines not here
I love it?????
I love it
I am so rich I bleed money ????
I will write again about some interesting things about stones.
We as Muslims Truly believe in power of gem stones especially carnelian, turquise, garnet, jade, and topaz there is no doubt that some of these stones has magical and healing powers but all stones has to be real not synthetic and real stones are heavy in weight not light and they shine in the dark, before we wear a stone we put it in cold water for few hours to purify and wear it before go to bed in our religion if you feel uneasy for any reason after wearing a new stone weather its a ring necklace or bracelet just take it off that’s what I always do I am a true believer of its power esp carnelian yellow or liver color yellow is very rear and hard to find.
I was told by Great Gma (1893) that you should not buy an opal for your self, it is bad luck. An Opal must be given to you. Just some old stuff?
I ware silver for beauty an pease. And emerged for luck of the clover an money.
Hi Becca, you can learn about diamonds here: https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/15-amazing-facts-about-diamonds/. Thanks for your interest!
I’m looking at my family gem’s, my mother’s & myself. Reading the suppior meanings.
I ware silver for beauty an pease. And emerged for luck of the clover an money.
I ware rubies for love in an all around
Kind of love.
Such sweet legends! And the jewelry is sooooooo beautiful !!!!!! ?? good job guys !!!
Interesting!
Indeed from my native American spirit, I know they do
I want to learn more
I’m born in January
My birthstone is a diamond, why isn’t that on here?
Love the um the um um… the EMARLAD
I love all these butiful gems
Very nice information.! I’ve never heard this information before I really enjoyed.
Very nice information.!
Very cool
Very nice wish I could afford all of them
This was awesome
Really nice
Love it
What about Alexandrianite there are two gemstones for Gemini they are pearls and Alexandrianite
I love iy
I got my friend a bracelet to ward off evil eye she says it has changed her life.
Anita Harris, both alexandrite and pearl are your birthstone. Most months have 2 stones. My birthday is in October. My Mom bought me a daughter’s pride ring with diamond for her birthday April, alexandrite for my Dad, June and pink (the stone was never identified but a pink stone is shown in all of the guides) for my birthday, October. A few years later she bought me another one with diamond, pearl and opal. Both rings were correct. I believe the rule is one is considered a stone while the other is a gem for the month.
Some places say that my birthstone is alexandrite, while others say that it’s pearl. My birthday is June 24th. Can you tell me without a doubt which is my birthstone?
I am wore Malachite almost for the 46 years to shed away my Kidney Pain problem, the day I put it in my ring finger the ruler and constant pain vanished, I am Happy giving this stone to the pain sufferers free of cost considering helping human being a mean paying thanks to the Nature making this stone a remedy of kidney pain,,
Since God created everything, and He did not make anything bad or wrong, everything created has special powers, purposes and meanings.
Marion, i think that it is bad luck. ESPECIALLY opal.
In opal. I always thought i was special. Lol. Just not in beauty. I am blonde tho.
Yes, I also would like information on Alexandrite as it is my birthstone as well. Thanks
Great survey
Great
I was born in October, so my birthstone is the Opal. Should I get an opal to wear around college soon?
Hi hi go hi I’m him
Russian alexandrite (rare)? meaning..
Very interesting
I had cancelled all postings from this site and was told within 24 hours it would be cancelled. 2 weeks later I am still getting your postings. PLEASE STOP SENDING POSTS-CANCEL THE POSTINGS
RECENTLY BOUGHT A MEN’S EMERALD RING IN ISRAEL. THE APPRAISAL AT HOME WAS MORE THAN TWICE WHAT I PAID FOR IT. SURPRISE!!
I do not believe that gems give anything except the beauty of them. I believe that supernatural powers are just nothing more then an illusion of thoughts.
i want a ring with my birthstone january
I noticed that there was nothing mentioned about my birthstone Alexandrite, as I was born in the month of June. Could you please tell me more?
is Pearl the month of june and what as a male does wearing a black pearl mean
I believe in gem stones, Priest Aaron, Prophet Moses’ brother, used to wear gem stones as per Holy Bible
What does Alexandrite mean?
I’ve been given various gems in rings and have worn them even though they are not my birthstone. Luck or not, if I like it I wear it, not every day, as I like variety as well as beauty.
Marion, so interesting that you should say that about the Opal. My birthstone is the turquoise but I would like to wear a white opal. I’ve made many friends and cherish everyone of them. I liken an opal to meeting someone. At first you see a blank page but as you get to know them you see their colours. Their “true blue” causes. What they feel strong about. In my cause that would be teaching children. The things that they love … “red”. My case — dogs. The natural beauties of this world would be the green. Me — waterfalls. Yellow is a happy colour. What makes that friend happy. I love to see my friends laugh. I don’t own an opal but I consider my friends “gems”.
Very educational to our clients.
Very nice and interesting.
I like the rings
I wear a turquoise since it’s my birthstone. Is it ok. I need something that will draw wealth and success to as I,m having a lot of bad luck and my money keeps going and I’m left with nothing . Let me know also I have a lot of gemstone rings and earrings like garnet, Oman alexandrite jade diamond but wear this occasionally whe I go out. The only ring with turquoise I wear every day 24/7
True or False: It is “bad” luck to wear
a gemstone that is not your Birthstone? Especially OPAL