Along with the usual anticipated items we come across in wastewater screening which need not be listed here, our screens may also encounter a variety of rocks. Rocks of all shapes and sizes, but unfortunately not rocks of this caliber or value! Precious stones, semi-precious stones and gemstones are sadly not scooped up with the screenings; otherwise we would all be millionaires! 

Even so, with Valentine’s Day this month, these beautiful stones make for good presents and a birthstone in particular is always a welcome gift. Over thousands of years, a tradition has developed, associating certain gemstones with times of the year. Everyone probably knows what their own birthstone is, but do you know the hidden properties and values of your stones? There are some ancient superstitions behind birthstones. Many people refer to them as superstitions; however, others prefer to use the term ‘beliefs.’ Early civilizations as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain actual forces or possess powers.  There are people today who still believe in the powers of crystals to heal!

Birthstones have changed over the years. Traditional and modern ones are not all the same, but in an effort to standardize birthstones, in 1912 the Jewelers of America agreed upon a standardized list, as was reported in an article  in the New York Times that year.

	Month:	Stone:
1.	January	Garnet
2.	February	Amethyst
3.	March	Aquamarine
4.	April	Diamond
5.	May	Emerald
6.	June	Pearl OR Moonstone
7.	July	Ruby
8.	August	Peridot
9.	September	Sapphire
10.	October	Opal
11.	November	Yellow Topaz
12.	December	Turquoise

Here are a few fun facts for you about these compelling stones:

1. January’s garnet is reported to repel flying insects (perhaps could ward off Texas’ unofficial ambassador, the mosquito!) It is also claimed that it protects against lightning and can be used as an antidote to the plague… “very useful” I hear you say!
2. The beautiful purple amethyst of February gets its name from the Greek word amethustos meaning "not drunken", as it was believed to protect against alcohol intoxication.
3. Aquamarine is said to bring wisdom and success to the wearer, and claims are also made as to its ability to prevent liver troubles.
4. The most precious of these precious stones is the diamond, representing April. It is the hardest mineral on earth and takes its name from the Greek word adamas which means ‘invincible.’ The Greeks believed that adorning themselves with this stone would protect them against poisons.
5. The emerald has a seemingly endless list of superstitions surrounding it, all of which are very positive. Some of these beliefs include it being an aphrodisiac, ensuring a life of love and success, and it is also said to make the wearer funny and honest.
6. There are two items listed for June because a pearl is actually not a stone but hardened mollusk spit! It is the only non-mineral ‘birthstone’ on the list and is in fact made up of layers and layers of calcium carbonate, a chemical compound often found in minerals such as Aragonite. The creation of the pearl is a defense mechanism which a mollusk, such as an oyster, uses when a foreign body enters its shell.
7. July’s ruby is the second hardest stone next to the diamond. Because hardness is such a desirable quality in a gemstone, generally the harder a stone is, the more valuable it is, and this makes the ruby a very costly stone.
8. Peridot is the name given to gem-quality specimens of the mineral olivine. The bearer of this stone is said to enjoy love, fidelity, truth and loyalty.
9. Sapphires can be found in a variety of shades of the following colors: blue, pink, white and yellow. Sapphires are said to have healing properties such as lowering fever and reducing inflammation, and are also said to enhance the influence of Venus, the goddess of love!
10. The opal is associated with hope, innocence and purity. The word opal actually means ‘to see a change in color’. The stone is full of flashes of color, the depth of which is dependent on the external color; for example the white or blue opal. The stone is full of tiny rainbow flashes.
11. Topaz is said to prevent sleeplessness and sudden death…always a good thing!
12. Turquoise is associated with great success and happiness. This opaque pale blue stone should only be worn by the first owner of the stone. Wearing a turquoise stone which once belonged to a deceased person is considered unlucky.

The Headworks Team wishes you a Happy Valentine’s Day and good hunting for that perfect stone!