Hardness: 7.50
Refractive Index: 1.93-1.98
Specific Gravity: 4.70
Birthstone: January, February, March, August
Astral Stone: Leo
Anniversary Stone: 19th
Origination: Sri Lanka, Thailand & Vietnam
Care & Cleaning: Clean with a soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse mild solution of soap & water or commercial jewelry cleaner. Do not soak.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Early astrologers linked the hyacinth with the dragon that controlled the eclipse of the sun and the moon. It was also linked with the planets of Jupiter and Mars.
Hyacinth is the golden to reddish-brown variety of zircon.
It is sometimes confused with the golden brown hessonite garnet.
Heating hyacinth will result in a blue or colorless zircon.
Hyacinth has been simulated by synthetic spinel and even tinted cut glass.
To dream of a hyacinth meant a violent storm was on its way.
It was considered an aid in childbirth, protected against evil spirits and gave the body improved physical strength.
Travelers often took hyacinth with them on their journey, for it was believed to protect them from contagious disease and injury.
Hyacinth was considered a sign of success.
Dieters may note that the hyacinth was also believed to suppers one�s apatite.
In the 16th century, amber colored hyacinth was considered a cure for insomnia.
Hyacinth was once so popular in earlier times that it became virtually extinct.
For additional information, see "zircon"