Most modern Americans certainly do value gems; but perhaps we do so in a loss of innocence. That is, while our distant forefathers usually valued gems for their medicinal and spiritual qualities, we, unimaginative drudges that we are, usually value them for only their beauty and rarity. – grouping the medicinal and spiritual qualities of gems with quackery. Fortunately there are some traditionalists, some in traditional India and most assuredly some in modern America, who believe that luck, health, wealth and happiness can be imparted by gems to their owners. Beware, however, that some gems may be more appropriate to you than others.

In the Brihat Samhita, a first century B.C. text on Vedic Astrology, Varaha Mihira attempted an exhaustive study of gems and their astrological affects, determined by each person’s sun sign, moon sign and birth star as well as his or her birth number’s (numerological) affect on the appropriateness of gems for each individual. “Humbug!” you say; but if your birthday is forthcoming, you must read on.

If diamond is one of your ‘good’ gems, Vedic astrology assures that owning one will make the wearer faithful (a good reason to buy diamond jewelry) and lead to increased wealth. If ruby is one of your ‘good’ gems, possessing one will benefit your beauty, preserve you from bad friends and protect your liver (I have some great rubies!). “Pearl?” you ask. Owning them (take a look at ours!) will help you become wealthy, popular and serene; while a ‘good’ emerald (ours our breath-taking) will strengthen your mind and your pocket. Blue sapphire (ours are the blue you dream of), unless you must avoid it, will aid you in defeating your enemies, strengthen your wealth and your physical and mental health. Both yellow sapphire (we’ve got some great ones) and emerald will be beneficial to your health, wealth and psyche. While there may be no Vedic gems you should avoid in your particular sign of the zodiac, Vedic wisdom counsels that you should wear any gem that is not known to be beneficial for a few days to see how it resonates with your well being (provided it’s not damaged, we’ll give you 30 days to bring it back). With that advice (and a little salesmanship), let’s move on to the nitty-gritty of gems and birthdays from now into December.

If you were born between June 22 and July 23, you were born under the (western) sign of the Crab (Cancer). In Vedic Astrology this would mean the gems that will benefit you are diamond, pearl, ruby and yellow sapphire; but you should avoid blue sapphire and emerald. If you were born between July 24 and August 23 you were born under Leo; so your beneficial gems are ruby, emerald, diamond and sardonyx. Virgos, August 24 to September 23. must possess emerald, pearl, diamond and both yellow and blue sapphire for luck, health, wealth and happiness. Libra, September 24 to October 21, follows; and what a treasure trove of gem lore there is for it, oh bountiful Libra. Diamond, pearl and opal are all good for you; and orange colored stones will yield gain without pain. Be careful if you gamble, however, wearing blue gems will benefit those you play against (Could this be part of the problem for ‘Cubby Blue’?). The Vedic advice for Scorpio, those born between October 22 and November 22, is to wear yellow sapphire or topaz to foster pregnancy, ruby if you want to prevail in court and pearls to succeed in college. Vedic advice for our last sign, Sagittarius (November 23 to December 22) is abundant. Don’t wear ruby! It will make you short tempered and reckless; but emerald will help you become famous and prosperous. Any orange colored gem will bring good luck if you seek assistance from government or travel. So those of you with faith in Vedic astrology (or those of you who just like a good story), consider yourself told.

Now if you want to convert some of your old jewelry into new, beneficial, goodies, come see us. Our jewelry collection is particularly strong in beautiful diamonds and we’re willing to talk trade. That is, you can, with a few dollars more, trade in something you aren’t wearing for a piece or two of fine jewelry that will do you some good. Come see us for a free jewelry consultation so that you’ll know whether you want to ‘hold ‘em or fold ‘em. To give you our undivided attention, it will be best if you make an appointment. Just phone us at 708.788.0880; and if you want a look at our jewelry, check out our website, hurstsberwynjewelers.com. You can’t go wrong. We’re Hursts’ Berwyn Jewelers and our greatest pleasure is helping you realize your dreams.