| Precious and semi-precious gemstones have | | | | negative feelings and cure depression. |
| always exerted a powerful tug on the human | | | | 8th Anniversary Gemstones - Multi-coloured |
| imagination, right from the great ancient | | | | Tourmaline and Aventurine |
| civilisations of the world till the present times. Each | | | | Multi-coloured Tourmaline is perhaps one of the |
| gemstone was more than just a beautiful | | | | most colourful and spectacular crystals among |
| coloured stone. It was also believed to possess | | | | gemstones, tourmalines are also great conductors |
| mystical and healing properties that directly | | | | of energy. |
| affected the human mind, body and emotions. | | | | The multi-coloured tourmaline signifies artistic |
| Over time, these gemstones also came to be | | | | intuition. |
| associated with yet another powerful and | | | | Wearing a multi-coloured tourmaline is said to be |
| enduring social institution - marriage. Since, these | | | | beneficial for the heart, endocrine system, sleep |
| precious and semiprecious stones had such a | | | | and digestion. Its vibrations restore balance in |
| strong influence on one's life, they made ideal gifts | | | | relationships. |
| as jewellery as well. The idea was carried further | | | | Aventurine is a derivative of quartz, aventurine is |
| and each anniversary gradually became associated | | | | a semi-translucent (and sometimes opaque) stone |
| with a particular gemstone. | | | | that comes in silvery, yellow, reddish brown, |
| Here is a detailed look at these gemstones from | | | | greenish-brown, bluish green and orange colours |
| the 6th to the 10th anniversary years. | | | | as well. The name of this gemstone is derived |
| 6th Anniversary Gemstones - Garnet and | | | | from Italian word for 'by chance' - 'per aventura'. |
| Amethyst | | | | Not surprisingly, aventurine is hailed as the |
| Garnets have been in use as gemstones since the | | | | gemstone stone of good luck or chance and is |
| Bronze Age. It bears a striking resemblance to | | | | worn for attracting opportunity. |
| the pomegranate seed which is why it was | | | | Wearing an aventurine is also said to increase the |
| named as garnet (Latin 'garatnus' for 'seed'). It | | | | confidence levels of the wearer and relieve |
| ranges in colour from transparent dark-red to a | | | | anxiety and fear. |
| vibrant green. The gemstone garnet has come to | | | | 9th Anniversary Gemstones - Tiger's Eye and |
| symbolise eternal friendship and trust. It is also a | | | | Lapis Lazuli |
| stone of purity and truth, love and compassion. | | | | Tiger's Eye - Tiger's Eye is an aptly named |
| Garnets are considered highly beneficial for | | | | gemstone because its rich golden yellow colour |
| treating blood disorders and for increasing energy | | | | resembles the glitter of a tiger's eye. It was |
| and vitality. It is also a powerful cure for | | | | popular with the ancient Roman soldiers who |
| depression. Garnets are recommended for those | | | | wore Tiger's eye amulets and talismans for |
| who wish to attain success in their business. | | | | protection during battles. |
| Amethyst is a beautiful crystalline quartz in | | | | Tiger's Eye signifies confidence, protection and |
| arresting shades of purple, lilac or mauve. The | | | | good luck. Since ancient times, it has been used in |
| Greeks believed that wearing a topaz would help | | | | good luck charms and in jewellery as protection |
| the wearer not to get intoxicated. Topaz was | | | | against witchcraft and the evil eye. It is said to |
| also valued by the ancient Egyptians who used it | | | | help achieve clarity in perception and relationships. |
| to ward off against negative feelings. | | | | Wearing Tiger's Eye helps reduce high blood |
| Since ancient times, amethyst has been a symbol | | | | pressure and benefits rheumatic heart disease. |
| of humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. | | | | Lapis lazuli is an ancient semi-precious stone in an |
| The amethyst supposed to be the gemstone of | | | | intense blue colour that was highly prized by the |
| good luck and love. It is believed to have a | | | | Babylonian and Egyptian royalty. The lapis lazuli |
| calming effect on the mind and gives the wearer | | | | stone scarab has been discovered in Egyptian |
| control over undesirable passions. | | | | tombs as the ancient Egyptians believed that |
| 7th Anniversary Gemstones - Onyx and Lapis | | | | burying the lapis lazuli with the dead would offer |
| Lazuli | | | | the latter protection in the after-life. |
| Onyx -- The name onyx is derived from the | | | | Lapis Lazuli is said to symbolise regeneration, truth |
| Greek word for 'veined gem'. Roman soldiers | | | | and heaven. |
| often wore talismans made of onyx or sardonyx | | | | This semi-precious gemstone is supposed to dispel |
| (its close variant) which were engraved with their | | | | negative feelings and cure depression. |
| favourite heroes such as Hercules or Mars. | | | | 10th Anniversary Gemstone - Black Onyx |
| Onyx symbolises eloquence and makes for an | | | | Black onyx - Belonging to the onyx family, the |
| appropriate 7th year gemstone - after all, | | | | Black onyx is the most common variety of this |
| communication is the key to a good marriage, | | | | gemstone. |
| right? Particularly for tackling the myths | | | | Black onyx is said to symbolise protection against |
| surrounding the infamous seven-year-itch! | | | | negativity. |
| Endowed with magical powers, the onyx is said to | | | | Black onyx is said to be endowed with enough |
| act as a shield the wearer from any negativity | | | | power to ward off any negativity that is directed |
| that is directed towards them. It was highly | | | | towards its wearer. In addition, black onyx is also |
| recommended for those who were given to | | | | believed to help in getting rid of old worries and |
| emotional excesses as this stone is believed to | | | | habits. |
| help in keeping passions under control. | | | | Since the black onyx was believed to restrain |
| Lapis lazuli is an ancient semi-precious stone in an | | | | passion and bestow spiritual strength, it figured |
| intense blue colour that was highly prized by the | | | | predominantly in rosaries and worship beads in |
| Babylonian and Egyptian royalty. The lapis lazuli | | | | ancient India and the East. |
| stone scarab has been discovered in Egyptian | | | | So when it comes to believing in the powers of |
| tombs as the ancient Egyptians believed that | | | | gemstones, irrespective of whether you are a |
| burying the lapis lazuli with the dead would offer | | | | sceptic or a die-hard supporter, make sure your |
| the latter protection in the after-life. | | | | better half is given jewellery that accurately |
| Lapis Lazuli is said to symbolise regeneration, truth | | | | reflects the gemstone for that particular |
| and heaven. | | | | anniversary year. She will be the envy of all her |
| This semi-precious gemstone is supposed to dispel | | | | friends! |