For anyone who is familiar with crystals, it is common knowledge that for every month of the year there is a special crystal. Just like there is a special tree, or a special flower.

For those of you who are not familiar with this concept, let me fill you in.

There are twelve astrological birth signs or spiritual jewelry and for each sign there is a special stone. Sometimes they differ slightly and sometimes each month has more than one stone, but in general they are as follows:

• January's stone is Garnet Jewellery. Garnet inspires love and devotion. It lifts depression, opens the heart and bestows self-confidence. It is a stone of health and extracts the negative energies from the chakras. It stimulates the metabolism and in ancient times was used in the breast plates of the high priestesses.

• February's birthstone is Amethyst and Hematite. Amethyst is the stone for the mind and attracts" kind" love. Hematite improves blood disorders and amethyst protects one from drunkenness. It harmonizes the mind, body and soul.

• March's stone is Aquamarine jewelry. Aquamarine is a stone of courage. Its calming energies reduce stress and still the mind. It helps nerves, glands, liver and stomach troubles.

• April's stone is the Diamond jewelry. The Diamond is a master healer and is an extremely powerful stone removing blockages and all emotional negativities. It is a symbol of purity and bonds relationships bringing love and clarity into a partnership

• May's stone is the Emerald jewelry. The Emerald is a stone of infinite patience and inspiration. It is a life affirming stone with great integrity. It improves intellect and memory. It helps to cure insomnia.

• June's stone is the Pearl jewelry. The Pearl promotes antibodies and fights infections.

• July's stone is the Ruby jewelry. The Ruby strengthens intuitive faculty and aids initiative. It improves fevers, pains and spasms. Ruby detoxes the body, blood and lymph. It is an excellent stone for energy.

• August's stone is the Peridot jewelry. The Peridot, in ancient times, was believed to keep away evil spirits and still today is thought of as a stone that protects the aura. Psychologically, it alleviates jealousy, resentment, spite and reduces stress. It aids digestion and can cleanse and heal hurt feelings.

• September's stone is Sapphire jewelry. The Sapphire is known as the wisdom stone and each colour sapphire is known for its own particular wisdom. It focuses and calms the mind and releases unwanted thoughts and mental tension. This stone releases depression and spiritual confusion and stimulates concentration. It is a stone of friendship and love.

• October's stone is the Tourmaline jewelry. Tourmaline is a stone that cleanses, purifies and transforms dense energy into a lighter vibration. It grounds spiritual energy and clears and balances all the chakras. It also forms a protective shield around the body. It attracts inspiration, good will and friendship.

• November's stone is Topaz. The Topaz is a mellow, empathetic stone that directs energy to where it is needed most. It soothes, heals, stimulates, recharges, remotivates and aligns the meridians of the body. Topaz promotes truth and forgiveness.

• December's stone is Tanzanite jewelry. Tanzanite helps overcome fear and builds up trust. It helps solves questions related to the meaning of life.

When people wear their birthstones as jewellery it can either be for decorative, healing or esoteric purposes.

This article is submitted by Sandeep Malik.