Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

A wedding anniversary is a beautiful time in a couple's life. It's a time to celebrate and commemorate their love, connection and experiences together. In the past, traditional gifts were given and although many would like to continue with tradition, they would also like to give something different.

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For every couple, there is a perfect wedding anniversary gift idea to give one another and one of the best ways to celebrate with a loved one is by giving a gift that combines modern beauty with tradition.

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The following list shows the various traditional stones and items like flowers that have been used for wedding anniversaries for ages. They are all a wonderful choice as a wedding anniversary gift idea because they allow people who would like to stick with anniversary traditions but also have the freedom to create something unique and modern.

1st Anniversary: Gold, Peridot, Carnation, Clock
2nd Anniversary: Red Garnet, Lily of the Valley, China
3rd Anniversary: Jade, Pearl, Sunflower
4th Anniversary: Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Hydrangea, Appliances
5th Anniversary: Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire, Daisy, Silverware
6th Anniversary: Turquoise, Amethyst, Calla
7th Anniversary: Yellow Sapphire, Onyx, Freesia, Stationery
8th Anniversary: Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Lilac
9th Anniversary: Green Spinel, Lapis Lazuli, Bird of Paradise
10th Anniversary: Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Daffodil
11th Anniversary: Citrine, Turquoise, Yellow Zircon, Tulip
12th Anniversary: Opal, Jade, Peony
13th Anniversary: Moonstone, Hawk's Eye, Chrysanthemum
14th Anniversary: Agate, Bloodstone, Dhalia
15th Anniversary: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite, Rose, Watches
16th Anniversary: Red Spinel, Aquamarine
17th Anniversary: Carnelian, Watches, Furniture
18th Anniversary: Aquamarine, Cat's Eye
19th Anniversary: Almandine Garnet, Topaz
20th Anniversary: Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Aster
25th Anniversary: Tsavorite, Green Garnet, Iris
30th Anniversary: Tsavorite Garnet, Silver Jubilee, Lily
40th Anniversary: Pearl, Gladiolus
50th Anniversary: Emerald, Coral, Violets
60th Anniversary: Ruby
70th Anniversary: Cat's Eye, Sapphire
80th Anniversary: Imperial Topaz, Golden Jubilee
90th Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby

Combination Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea

One of the most unique ways that anyone can combine the beauty and sentiment of traditional anniversary symbols with the modern gifts of jewellery is by creating a custom piece that reflect all of the symbols in a single piece. Choose a pendant, ring, bracelet or earrings for the gift and have professional jewellers create a piece that takes the traditional stones and combines it with the traditional items. One perfect wedding anniversary gift idea for a 9th anniversary is to create a unique customized pendant of a bird of paradise flower using the traditional stones of green spinel and lapis lazuli. This creation can also include orange tourmaline to add an extra punch of colour into the piece.

Although not every wedding anniversary has a symbol or flower, it gives you the freedom to choose the traditional stone and shape any symbol that has meaning to you and your loved one. For example, a 60th wedding anniversary simply has a ruby but this ruby can be a part of a beautiful sentimental piece that has great meaning to the couple alone.

A wedding anniversary gift idea that's custom and unique ensures that no one else in the world would have the same piece which is what makes the gift that much more special for one of the most important occasions in a couple's life. Not only do these pieces last through the ages but they also create a keepsake in time.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

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Lucky Chinese Horoscope Gem Stones: The First Six Chinese Horoscope Gems

When the Chinese heavenly god and the Chinese earth god decided to create Chinese Astrology and associate Chinese horoscope signs with animals of planet earth, they concluded that each Chinese horoscope sign would need a sort of a powerful material that would not only represent the sign itself, but it would also develop a strong connection, a spiritual relationship with individuals that belong to that sign.

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So the great Chinese gods created and collected the twelve most valuable and powerful gem stones on planet earth. These where: Garnet, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Pearl, Amethyst, Opal, Topaz, Emerald, Peridot, Citrine, Diamond and Ruby. Then by studying the attributes of the gem stones they assigned each gem to a Chinese Horoscope sign. These gem stones would protect and bring luck to the possessor. Let's talk about the attributes of the first six lucky Chinese horoscope gem stones and their association with Chinese Astrology and culture.

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Lucky gem stone: Garnet

Associated Chinese Horoscope sign: Rat

Attributes: Garnet is mostly associated with love, loyalty, passion, mental health and women's needs. Garnet usually comes in deep red colors, that is why Chinese like to call it "The Blood Stone". It is a gem stone that is very hard, which makes it suitable for wearing or for decoration purposes. Chinese use Garnet to alternatively cure severe melancholy and depression. Little pieces of Garnet are traditionally given to Chinese pregnant women to help them with their pregnancy. It is also known to stabilize a woman's menstrual cycles. A Chinese legend claims that if you tie a piece of Garnet in your front door it will protect your house against thieves.

Lucky gem stone: Aquamarine

Associated Chinese Horoscope sign: Ox

Attributes: Aquamarine is associated with peace, tranquility, physical health, women and the spirit of the goddess. Aquamarine has an one of a kind transparent blue color that will bring calmness and mental clarity. According to Chinese legends, aquamarine was created by the great Chinese god of the sea who had the form of a sea monster. Then it was given as a divine gift to the Chinese goddesses of the sea in order to charm them. It is very common for Chinese fisherman to carry a piece of aquamarine to invoke the goddesses to bring them luck and protect them when sailing. Traditional Chinese doctors use it to cure digestive problems by dropping aquamarine jewelry into glasses of water and of course removing them a few minutes later, after aquamarine has acted.

Lucky gem stone: Sapphire

Associated Chinese Horoscope sign: Tiger

Attributes: Sapphire is highly associated with guidance, and enlightenment, money, prosperity, peace of mind, leadership, inner strength and self confidence. Chinese use it to send away negative energy and wicked thoughts and bring amiability and fulfillment. Chinese legends claim that Sapphire will open your mind and show you the way to connect with your inner self and god. Sapphire is commonly used in China for concentration and visualization exercises because of its magnificent ability to inspire, and stabilize your mind. Sapphire is a gem stone associated with oracles, dreams and the art of seeing into the past and the future. Chinese call it "The Third Eye Stone" and use it to cure physical eye-diseases or improve their vision.

Lucky gem stone: Pearl

Associated Chinese Horoscope sign: Rabbit

Attributes: The Pearl is associated with purity and purification, innocence and the feminine side of people. In Chinese culture the pearl is really powerful and is considered to be "The Tear From Heaven" or "The Tear of God". A Pearl is given to young, unmarried Chinese women to help them find their soul mate. It is a gift that Chinese fathers love to give to their young daughters when they reach adolescence to guard their purity. It is also common among wealthy Chinese to drink alcohol with dissolved pearls to cure all kinds of disease and illness. The Pearl is also used as strength and energy booster.

Lucky gem stone: Amethyst

Associated Chinese horoscope sign: Dragon

Attributes: Amethyst is associated with strong intuition, the brain, wealth, peace, protection and spirituality. Chinese use it for many purposes. For example it is common to wear amethyst jewelry if you are about to drink a lot. Amethyst will protect you from drunkenness and will keep you sober. It is also used in many parts of China, against all kinds of addictions like smoking, alcohol or drugs. This magical purple gem stone is also used for spiritual purposes like meditation or divination. Chinese believe that Amethyst will increase your psychic powers and your invocation skills. Many Chinese Mediums and Astrologers (including me) always carry a piece of Amethyst with them as a divination tool. Last but not least, Amethyst is used in China as a natural medicine against insomnia and bad dreams.

Lucky gem stone: Opal

Associated Chinese horoscope sign: Snake

Attributes: Opal is associated with guidance, luck, honor, potency, visions, dreams and mind power. In many western cultures Opal is considered as a bad stone. Chinese though, believe that Opal will bring tremendous luck and abundance to those people who's lucky gem stone is Opal. It is a strange and highly mystical gem stone with strong occult powers. Chinese legends refer to Opal as "The Invisibility Stone". It is also used to receive advice from the spirits through dreams. Chinese put it under their pillows to protect them when they enter the dream world during sleep. Chinese Mediums use it for spiritual journeys and to provide guidance. Opals can change their colors from dark to bright according to the mood of the possessor or to give a message to the holder.

Lucky Chinese Horoscope Gem Stones: The First Six Chinese Horoscope Gems

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Semi-Precious Stones - What You Need to Know

A semi-precious stone is just another word for a gemstone. These gems, like opal or quartz, are cut and polished to make jewelry. While semi-precious stone can mean any gemstone, right up to diamonds and emeralds, the term typically refers to gemstones like scapilite, peridot or quartz topaz that tend to have a lower value, though still exhibit brilliant beauty. In this article, we'll cover some basic semi-precious stones, including how to recognize them.

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Amber: Amber is not technically a stone; it's an organic gem derived from fossilized tree sap. Amber ranges in color from a honey yellow to an almost chocolaty orange-brown. While amber is often faked using high-quality plastic, it can be easily tested with intense heat. True amber will produce a white smoke, while plastic will simply smolder or melt.

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Amethyst: Very popular thanks to its tranquil purple tones, this quartz-based stone is very versatile and durable. Amethyst is typically mined in Russia, Brazil, Bolivia, Germany, Canada, India, Australia, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, the United States, Uruguay and Zambia. Fine amethysts are also produced using synthetic lab-based methods.

Peridot: As the birthstone for August, this beautiful and transparent stone comes in a range of colors from a yellowish green to a deep chartreuse shade. The remarkable Peridot was originally believed to free the mind from jealous thoughts and was seen as an aid to friendship. Though not exceptionally brilliant, the Peridot stone is prized for its rich color. Today, Peridot is mined in Arizona, Mexico, Myanmar, Norway, Russia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Garnet: Depending on the type of garnet, its quality, color and size, a garnet can range anywhere from a carat to over 00 per carat. These remarkable stones are found in all colors and shades, but are best known for their deep, blood red variety. Today, the rare green garnet (tsavorite) is mined in Kenya and Tanzania, while orange and red garnet can be found in Madagascar, Namibia and Pakistan.

Lapis Lazuli: Lapis is the birthstone for December and was traditionally prized as a powerful amulet. Genuine lapis is an opaque, blue stone that exhibits an intense, brilliant and very deep blue coloration. Some types of lapis exhibit small, gold flecks, but these varieties tend to be less valuable. The best lapis in the world come from Argentina and Afghanistan, but the unique stone can also be found in Chile, Russia, the United States and Canada.

Semi-Precious Stones - What You Need to Know

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