Gemstone have been used throughout the ages for so many things, but one thing humans have always been obsessed with is love. From Saint Valentine to the Ancient Greeks, stones can be found entwined in religion, love and daily life.
Let’s kick it off with Amethyst, February’s Birthstone.
Most are familiar with some of the lore surrounding Amethyst, like the story of Bacchus and how it was used to prevent drunkenness. What you may not know about, however, is Amethysts connection to Saint Valentine.
In Catholic tradition, Amethyst became associated with Saint Valentine, of Valentine’s Day fame. This way, the jewel became associated with lasting and eternal love. In fact, stories persist that the saint wore an amethyst ring engraved with the image of Cupid, Roman God of affection and desire. This may stem from the tradition of the clergy wearing amethyst rings, especially bishops.
Ancient Roman belief says that amethyst gemstones promote harmony in the home. Roman wives would wear jewelry containing this stone to keep their husbands loyal.
Amethyst is the traditional gift for the 17th wedding anniversary.
Rubies
Ancient Hindu tradition says that rubies contain an inner fire you cannot extinguish, and what better way to represent pure love than with a ruby?
Rubies are the 40th-anniversary gift, perfect for symbolizing a long and happy life together.
Moonstone
Ancient Hindu tradition talks of the special meaning behind giving a gift to your lover of Moonstone. The gem was thought to strengthen the couples bonds. It was said moonstone would grant visions of their future together, both good and bad. This ritual would be performed in the light of a full moon, placing these romantic gemstones in their mouths.
Moonstone is the traditional gift for the 13th wedding anniversary. As a stone associated with luck, some say it reverses the misfortune associated with the number thirteen.
Emerald, the Lover’s Stone of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians considered emeralds to be a gemstone of young lovers, and an appropriate gift for budding relationships. They believed the gem heighted feelings of passion, romance, and love.
Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love, was associated with emeralds. The romans believed that the colour of the stone would darken or lighten as romantic feelings between partners shifted.
Emerald is the gift for the 55th wedding anniversary.
Rose Quartz
In a classic Greek myth about love and reconciliation, Adonis, god of plants and rebirth, found himself entangled in a love story with Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Her obsession with Adonis enraged her past lover, Ares, god of war, so much so that he sought every opportunity to exact revenge on Adonis for stealing her devotion away from him.
In the form of a wild boar in the forest, Ares set out to mortally wound his rival. His actions and Adonis' resulting screams caught the desperate attention of Aphrodite, who, in rushing down from Olympus to save him, cut herself on a briar bush.
Aphrodite held a dying Adonis in her arms and their blood combined to form anemones in the ground and Rose Quartz gemstones after it stained the white quartz pink. The fusion of their blood led Zeus to show his compassion as he brought Adonis back to Aphrodite for six months a year, leading the Love Stone, Rose Quartz, to become the central symbol of reconciliation and undying love.
Which of these love stones is your favourite?