Birthstones

January:  Garnet                                                 

     Named by the Greeks.  Garnet finds itself with many cousins in it's family tree.  Shades of green, purple, dark red, yellow and orange give those born in January a lot of color choices.  Tsavorite, a green garnet, is found in Africa.  Its shades of color range from a "Fannie May" mint meltaway green to a rich Columbian emerald.  Rhodolite whose origin includes Africa, Sri Lanka, and North Carolina can be found from a deep red to a pleasing raspberry.  Malaya garnet was an unwanted gem for man years until in the late 1970's when it's sun-kissed orangey sparkle captured the interest of American dealers.  

February:  Amethyst                                       

     It is available in a variety of sizes and shades of purple and is traditionally the birthstone for February.  Amethyst is the royal stone, as it's purple color was prized among kings and noblemen.  Amethyst is quartz and is found throughout the world.  Brazil is a prime source for this gem material, however Africa offers some of the richest colors.

March:  Aquamarine                                           

     Legend records that this gem was the prized gift Neptune, the king of the sea, would give to mermaids.  Aqua comes in many shades of blue, from the palest of greenish blue to the deepest ocean blue.  March babies wear this stone to symbolize: youth, hope, health, and fidelity.  The countries that this stone occurs include Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria, but the primary source is in Brazil.

April:  Diamond                                                              

     This birthstone was once thought to be tears of the gods. Diamond’s come in a variety of color’s, the most famous being the Hope diamond. Its blue color has captured the hearts and imagination of the world since it’s discovery. Diamonds have come to symbolize love, in most of American and European culture. It’s unmatched, brilliance, beauty and strength crowns it as the most desired gemstone.

May:  Emerald                                                      

        The emerald has one of the richest histories having been prized by Cleopatra and ancient Egypt, as well as by the Incas and Aztecs. This gem material was fashioned into jewelry as well as scared mask cravings and idols. Colombia still is king as far as the richest and finest source for gem emerald. The Muzo mine is legendary and still produces fine stones sold the world over. The lush green jungles of South America are mirrored only by what is hidden beneath the jungle floor.

June:  Pearl                                                            

     The Pearl is the most unique of gemstones, the only birthstone that is organic. The pearl is valued for it’s size, shape, color, and luster. Yes, pearls come in a variety of colors, which include cream, white, yellow, golden, green, and black. Some pearls are dyed, others can occur naturally. Pearls occur in freshwater as well as saltwater, they can be natural or cultured.  

Alexandrite  (Sister birthstone for June)    

     Alexandrite is another unique gemstone because of its nature of changing color depending on its light source. The stone’s color states are green and red. Alex is a color-change chrysoberyl, found originally in Russia, India, Ceylon, and later Brazil. Named after the Russian Czar Alexander this gemstone holds the top place in the phenomenon exhibiting gems, such as stars and cats-eyes.

July:  Ruby                                                            

     Ruby is one of the most sought after gems man has ever searched for. Its inner fire has fueled legends and myths down though the ages. Ruby is the stone of romance, in ancient times it was given as a symbol of placing your heart in an-others care.  Ruby is mined though out Asia, Ceylon, Thailand, India, and Burma being the main areas mined. Burma is where the finest gem material is found. Its red color is only approached by fine Burma Spinel. Ruby is the king of color stones

August:  Peridot                                                                      

     Peridot is another prized gem dating back to Egyptian times. The finest gems are mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Burma. The rich green stone was thought by Hawaiians to be the tears of the volcano goddess Pele. Much of the gem material mined today comes from Arizona, however Burma produces some of the richest color sought after today.

September:  Sapphire                                                                    

     In Latin “Sapphiru” means blue, Sapphire is the most desired blue stone in history. Sapphire is found in many parts of the world including the U.S. yet the area they occur in that is most prized is Kashmir and Burma. Sapphire, or corundum is found in many colors, pink, purple, orange, green, yellow, and all the shades imaginable. Star sapphires are commonly found in gray, black, red, pink and purple gem material. They exhibit a six ray star effect known as asterism.  Corundum’s sister stone is ruby, any color other than red is always sapphire.

October:  Opal                                                 

      The flames and flashing that opal exhibits has been fascinating man for more than 2000 years. Opals symbolize hope, innocence and purity to the Greeks and Romans. They’ve been mined in Europe, Mexico, the U.S. but the primary source is Australia. Unlike most gemstones an opal can contain many colors in one stone. Reds, yellows, blues, greens, orange and white swirling and flashing though out the body of the gem. Lighting Ridge Australia is an important site where fine opal s mined.

Tourmaline  (October's Sister birthstone)       

      Tourmaline is also the birthstone for October. The ancient people of Ceylon called tourmaline...turmali, meaning, “more colors”. This stone comes in a rainbow of colors. Blues and rich reds are the most rare. Red tourmaline is known as Rubellite. Tourmaline also forms in bi-colors like “watermelon” tourmaline, green and red. They are found in South America, Africa, Afghanistan, and the U.S.

November:  Topaz                                                

     The topaz is found in an array of colors, reds, oranges, peach, pinks and yellows. Blue topaz found its popularity at an all time high in the 1980’s. This gem material is mined in Sri Lanka, Mexico, Africa, and Brazil. It’s most traditional color is golden, it’s popularity with the Russians Czars earned its title as “Imperial” Topaz. It symbolizes love and affection.

December:  Zircon                                                

     Zircon is the gem that represents December. This stone is found in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia. Zircon’s fire and brilliance equal that of its counter parts in the gem world, giving it an overall appeal and affordability in the jewelry fashion world. Although it is found in a variety of colors blue is it’s most popular.

Tanzanite  (Sister stone for December)             

     Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania Africa. The mineral species is Zoisite, and it is found nowhere else on earth. Tanzanite is the first birthstone to be added to the chart since 1912. Tanzanite is a purple stone with rich tones of blue. The richer the blue tones the more rare the gem material.