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Birthstone Charts

Birthstone Charts

Birthstone Charts Do you know all of your birthstones- Bet you didn't know you have more than one.

Modern Birthstones
  • January - Garnet
  • February - Amethyst
  • March - Aquamarine
  • April - Diamond
  • May - Emerald
  • June - Pearl
  • July - Ruby
  • August - Peridot
  • September - Sapphire
  • October - Opal
  • November - Topaz
  • December - Turquoise / Blue Zircon / Blue Topaz

    Traditional Birthstones
  • January - Garnet
  • February - Amethyst
  • March - Bloodstone
  • April - Diamond
  • May - Emerald
  • June - Alexandrite
  • July - Ruby
  • August - Sardonyx
  • September - Sapphire
  • October - Tourmaline
  • November - Citrine
  • December - Turquoise

    Cabochon Birthstones
  • January - Garnet
  • February - Amethyst
  • March - Bloodstone
  • April - Mother of Pearl
  • May - Green Onyx
  • June - Moonstone
  • July - Jasper
  • August - Carnelian
  • September - Lapis Lazuli
  • October - Opal
  • November - Citrine
  • December - Turquoise

    Zodiac Stones
  • Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 20) - Ruby
  • Aquarius (Jan 21 - Feb 21) - Garnet
  • Pisces (Feb 22 - March 21) - Amethyst
  • Aries (March 22 - April 20) - Bloodstone (Jasper)
  • Taurus (April 21 - May 21) - Sapphire
  • Gemini (May 22 - June 21) - Agate
  • Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Emerald
  • Leo (July 23 - August 22) - Onyx
  • Virgo (August 23 - Sept 22) - Carnelian
  • Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 23) - Chrysolite (Peridot)
  • Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 21) - Aquamarine
  • Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) - Topaz


    Birthstone Charts

    BIRTHSTONE MEANING
    January - Garnet: The Romans named this deep-red stone granatum, or pomegranate, because of its resemblance to the fruit's rare, jewel-like seeds. Symbolizing faith and courage, garnets are believed to intensify affection and nurture the imagination.
    February - Amethyst: A symbol of peace since ancient times, amethyst was once used to decorate the British crown jewels. Believed to promote tranquility, the stones are revered for their soothing characteristics.
    March - Aquamarine: Named from the Latin words for water and sea, aquamarines were once worn by sailors to protect against seasickness. Today, the translucent blue stone is a symbol of courage and everlasting youth.
    BIRTHSTONE MEANING April - Diamond: During the Italian Renaissance, diamonds came to represent divine love from the translation dio (God) and amante (love). Today, diamonds remain the ultimate symbol of everlasting devotion.
    May - Emerald : Due to its rich green hue, the ancients equated emeralds with spring and prized them as symbols of rebirth. The vibrant stones are believed to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart.
    June - Pearl: According to Arabic legend, pearls are formed when dewdrops fill with moonlight and fall into the ocean. The world's oldest known gem, pearls are believed to promote prosperity and long life.
    July - Ruby: Believed to promote balance in love and all spiritual endeavors, the ruby is not only the world's rarest gemstone, but also the one many consider to be the most passionate.
    August - Peridot/Sardonyx: Ancient Romans called peridot the "evening emerald", since its vivid green color does not darken at night. Once believed to drive away evil spirits, the stone is still considered a symbol of good luck.
    September - Sapphire: The ancients believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection colored the sky. Once worn by kings to protect against harm, today sapphires are believed to promote inner peace.
    October - Opal/Tourmaline: Shakespeare onced used opals as his muse, their luminous surfaces mirroring the wonder of the skies, rainbows, fireworks and lightening at once. Today, the stone is a symbol of both intuition and joy.
    November - Citrine/Yellow Topaz: Derived from the French word citron, meaning lemon, citrine is also known as the jewel of the sun. The golden stone has been aptly linked with light-heartedness, happiness and joy.
    December - Blue Topaz/Turquoise: The ancient greeks believed topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible. Still considered a powerful stone, today this dazzling gem is also a symbol of rejuvenation and joy.

    Decorating crafts: securing dried flowers in shadow boxes

    Decorating crafts: securing dried flowers in shadow boxes

    These tips and tricks to securing dried flowers in a shadow box will assist in creating various and decorative displays. Drying methods for flowers and creative box ideas should spark the crafter in everyone.

  • To create and accent a photograph, invitation, child's artwork or selected piece of literature in a shadow box, experiment with dried flowers to frame or highlight the selected piece. These tips and tricks should result in assurance and crafter ideas that will result in a changeable and unique shadow box display.
  • Dried flowers, though typically thought of as an autumn decoration, can be used throughout the year for craft projects. Many florists and craft stores carry a large variety of dried flowers through each season; or you can dry your own flowers from your garden or from the wild.
  • There are many flowers that dry quickly and easily. Some of the easiest and most attractive dried flowers are violets, roses, carnations, zinnias, daisies, hydrangea and thistle, to name a few. Leaves such as fern, clover, oak, and maple maintain color and texture as well.
  • To dry flowers that have been collected from your garden, florist or next nature walk; you simply need a method of eliminating the moisture without causing rot. In general the thinner the flower, the less drying time is needed. However, thinner flowers become more fragile when dried. Try one of these methods; hanging, sand drying, container or pressing, to dry your flowers.
  • Hang flowers in a well-ventilated, dark spot, for about week. Simply tie the flowers in a neat bundle and hang upside down.
  • Sand drying allows the flowers to retain their cup shape. Fill the flower with sand and place it in a box of sand stem down. Allow to dry for about week. Use sand purchased from a craft store to ensure the sand is dry - sand from the outdoors will have moisture; even if taken from the beach.
  • Airtight containers also work well for drying flowers such as hydrangea, carnations and other bulky headed flowers. Just pop in a container, close and forget for about a week to ten days.
  • An unconventional yet effective method is refrigeration. Simply pop a bouquet or flower in the refrigerator for about two weeks and allow it to dry. Carnations do very well with this method.
  • Finally, flower presses are an easy way to dry relatively flat flowers. An actual flower press need not be an expensive contraption you buy in the craft store. It can be as simple as a few leaves in between sheets of newspaper, or a thistle dried in between the pages of a book.
  • Once you have dried flowers, cut the stems to within an inch of the flower and carefully arrange and re-arrange within the shadow box. A long-handled tweezer can be very useful with the very delinquent flowers. Regular tweezers and/or kitchen tongs can be of assistance as well.
  • Craft glue or rubber cement hold dried flowers in place best. Working in a small area, about two inches wide, will help eliminate errors and allow you to work around the shadow box. Place the flower stem or leaf in the glue/cement and allow to set for a moment. Stand back and analyze the results before working on the next two or three inch segment.
  • Putty such as florist putty can also be used to cement flowers in place. Putty works well if the dried flowers are to be changed from season to season. However, putty does dry and crack with exposure to the air and the sunlight, so be cautious to the location of the shadow box. Too much sun exposure will result in saggy flowers.
  • Patience is the key. Flowers can always be cut off their stem or pulled immediately from the glue/cement should the arrangement be incorrect.
  • Arranging the flowers as a frame within the shadow box around a wedding invitation or anniversary/birth announcement creates a very special remembrance and gift. To highlight a poem, photo or piece of literature that is meaningful, frame the piece in bold colored flowers. Children's artwork can be framed from season to season with daisies, roses and mums to highlight the theme. Experiment, create and never be afraid. The end results can give your home the warmth of your gardens you so carefully tend to during the growing season.
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