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Your personal gemstone is one in which you feel a deep, personal connection. It doesn't necessarily have to be your birthstone; it can be a stone that invokes deep emotions or even one that comes in your favorite color. Interestingly, each gemstone comes with its own personal history, meaning and individual benefits:

January - Garnet: This brilliant, blood-red gem has been around for thousands of years. It is said that Noah used a garnet lantern to help him steer his ark on the dark seas. Ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian jewelry was often adorned with garnets, as the stone was thought of as a protective talisman. Currently, the main source of garnets is Africa, though some are still found in areas such as India and Brazil. The garnet is thought to be a stone to keep around in order to have a successful business venture, and the wearer of garnet will enhance their self-esteem and popularity. If a garnet is held over the thyroid or spleen, it is said that those areas will be purified and healed.

February - Amethyst: Violet-colored quartz makes up the amethyst, which is commonly worn by Catholic Bishops. The amethyst is symbolic of piety and spiritual knowledge, and ancient Egyptians used the stone to protect themselves from feelings of guilt and even fear. Amethyst is said to guard against drunkenness when worn as jewelry and can be rubbed across a forehead to cure a headache.

March - Aquamarine: The aquamarine has been called "Water of the Sea" for its glorious, blue-green color. Commonly from Brazil and Colombia, the aquamarine is the stone of sailors, protecting them on their sea travels. It is said that the wearer of aquamarine will be protected from gossip, will have great inner peace, and will have calm nerves. The stone is said to have great power in helping to reduce fluid retention, cure thymus disorders, settle upset stomachs, and soothe a sore throat if held over those ailing areas of the body.

April - Diamond: The most popular and most expensive of all gemstones, the diamond is often substituted with white sapphire or cubic zirconia in most birthstone jewelry. These clear, white stones are popular for engagement rings and are the symbol of constancy, innocence, and love. Most of today's diamonds come from South Africa. The diamond has the highest possible rating on the hardness scale and has many more classifications of worth than other gemstones, such as color and clarity.

May - Emerald: The emerald has long been a symbol of hope and even faith in Christian

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