Celebrate Pride Month With These Coloured Gemstones

Celebrate Pride Month With These Coloured Gemstones

Many people who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community celebrate June as Pride month, with colourful parades and festivals. Pride Month honours the community's accomplishments and commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and equality for individuals in the community. 

Powells Fine Jewellery would like to celebrate everyone, regardless of background or sexual orientation. As a result, in honour of Pride Month, we'll break down the meaning behind one of the most recognisable Pride symbols, with a fun twist: jewellery. 

In this blog, we will discuss the meaning of each of the colours displayed on the pride flag, as well as gemstones representing each of the colours. 

The Pride Flag  

Although the rainbow flag had been a symbol of the LGBT+ community since 1978, it was not until 1994 that the flag was truly established as the symbol for LGBT pride. Artist, designer, Vietnam war veteran and drag performer Gilbert Baker was commissioned to create the flag by politician Harvey Milk. The original flag featured eight colours, hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet. The flag is meant to represent togetherness with the individual colours each representing its own meaning. The pink and turquoise were later removed from the flag as the demand due to production issues result in the contemporary six-striped flag we recognize today. 

 

The Hidden Meaning Behind the Rainbow  

Red: Life 

The first colour on the Pride flag is red, which is said to symbolise life. The gemstone garnet, especially the red colour, would be an excellent choice for representing the red colour on the pride flag. Historically, red garnets have been associated with the heart, blood, inner fire, and life force. 


Rubies are a great alternative to red garnets since they are not only beautiful, but they are also said to represent courage, life, and passion. 

Orange: Healing

The next colour on the pride flag is orange and symbolises healing. Carnelian is a gemstone that has traditionally been associated with spirituality and good fortune. An orange carnelian, according to Gemselect, is particularly associated with emotions, relationships, sexuality, and creativity. 

Yellow: Sunlight 

The colour yellow on the pride flag with a message about being your true self and not hiding in the shadows. What gemstone could be a better match for the yellow stripe than Citirine, the sunshine stone? This gemstone is associated with wealth, happiness, and energy. Many people rely on the gem to get them through difficult times. 

Another wonderful option for representing this colour strip is a yellow diamond, such as the one shown above, which is associated with happiness, love, and optimism.

Green: Nature 

Nature is high associated with the colour green, from the grass to the plants and trees that surround nature. Emerald is known for its vibrant green hue and has symbolism of youth, hope, future, renewal and growth.  

Blue: Harmony 

The lapis lazuli gemstone, which is associated with healing properties, is another stone that is quite fitting for Pride. Lapis Lazuli relieves stress quickly, bringing harmony and deep peach to the wearer. 

Violet: Spirit 

Known for their beautiful colouration, the gemstones as seen on this rose gold bracelet is none other than amethyst. Amethyst has a deeper meaning that is associated with spirituality. According to gemologist, the gemstone provides a peace of mind for the wearer.

Every colour in the Pride Flag has a great tale to tell and  gemstones are wonderful resources for expressing their meaning. Gemstones can be a unique way to celebrate the LGBTQ community, to connect people through love, acceptance, and empowerment. Below you will find links to helpful resources if you would like to learn more about the history of Pride Month.

You can click here to browse our coloured gemstone collection.

 

Learn more about pride and the LGBTQ+ community:

The Stonewall uprising: 50 years of LGBT history

An LGBTQ+ Guide to Chester

LGBT Foundation

GLAAD Media Reference Guide - 11th Edition

 

Sources: Gemsociety , Truly Experiences , Tiny Rituals , Charms of Light