About Birthstones
Whether it's a beautiful ring or a lovely pair of earrings, birthstone jewelry is a popular gift. Each month has a different birthstone associated with it.
Garnet is the birthstone for January. When one thinks of garnet, we may picture the deep red color. However, the January gemstone comes in a variety of vivid colors: pink, red, orange and green. The word garnet is derived from the ancient Greeks - the word the pomegranate.
The February gemstone, amethyst is a form of quartz. This semi-precious gem varies in color from light lilac to deep purple. It is a beautiful stone that was popular with Ancient Egypt and up to the present times.
Aquamarine is the beautiful blue gemstone of March. The sparkling colored stone ranges from pale pastel blue to deep blue-green. Clear transparent blue stones are more valuable than other stones that have a mixture of colors in them.
The precious gemstone of April, diamond is considerably more valuable than the birthstones of the other months. Diamonds are graded on the basis of color and purity. They are considered the universal symbol of love. Diamonds are strong stones that can easily scratch your fine jewelry. So keep separate from your other pieces. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas which means "invincible. Cubic Zirconia is a less expensive stone that to an untrained eye can pass as a diamond.
Natural emerald, May's birthstone, is a highly valued precious gemstone. Quality emeralds can be more expensive than diamonds. Emeralds come in a variety of deep green colors. Since emeralds are expensive gemstones, sometimes those with flaws are treated to enhance their appearance. If you purchase an enhanced emerald, be sure to ask your jeweler how to care for it.
The popular pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. Natural pearls are formed by mollusks and are very valuable. Cultured or farmed pearls are more affordable than natural pearls from the sea. Pearls come in a variety of colors such as black, white, cream, blue-gray, yellow, green, mauve and lavender. Freshwater pearls are considerably less expensive. They come in every color imaginable. Do not use ammonia or jewelry cleaner on your pearls. It will ruin the appearance!
Ruby, the beautiful red gemstone of the month of July is a member of the mineral corundum family. Most gemstones from corundum minerals are called sapphires. However, ruby is the name given to all the red stones from corundum minerals.
Peridot which represents the month of August, is a light green stone with a touch of gold due to traces of iron. It was very popular with Ancient Egyptians and Romans. In the 1990's it became popular again a colorful stone for summer.
The second hardest mineral, corundum forms the popular stone of September- the Sapphire. Most sapphires are a deep blue color. They can also come in a variety of colors except for red which is known as Ruby. Sapphires are also sometimes heated to enhance their color and appearance.
October's gemstone is Opal. They are soft stones that have impurities which reflect color. Black opals are very rare and are extremely valuable. Opal is the national stone of Australia which produces the largest amounts of this iridescent gemstone. Opals are very delicate stones and can easily crack.
November's birthstone, topaz comes from the Indian word tapas which means fire. Most topaz is yellow, but it can come in other colors such as golden-brown, green and blue. Citrine, a yellow quartz stone is also used as a birthstone for November.
Turquoise considered a sacred stone by the American Indians, is the December birthstone. Its color ranges from sky blue to blue green. The value of turquoise is determined by its hardness and richness of color. Avoid direct sunlight and chemicals because they can cause discoloration.
