Definitions Associated with diamonds and colored stones

January February March April May June July August September October November December

January II Garnet II Capricorn / Aquarius
Associated as the sign of friendship, loyalty and devotion, garnet is the designated January birthstone and suggested gift for a 2nd wedding anniversary. Noah reportedly hung a large garnet inside the ark for illumination and garnet was believed to provide its wearer guidance in the night and protection from nightmares. The ancient Egyptians thought garnet to be the antidote for snakebites and food poisoning. Garnets naturally occur in several varieties and a range of warm colors: deep red and brownish red to reddish orange, slightly purplish red to reddish purple, yellowish orange, and pink to the vibrant yellowish greens and greens associated with the rarer, smaller, and more expensive garnet varieties: demantoid and tsavorite. Found in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, India, Australia and the United States, garnets are durable, brilliant and will give you years of pleasure. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually safe. << More about the Garnet >>

February II Amethyst II Aquarius / Pisces
Once thought to improve the complexion and prevent baldness, the plentiful, popular and well known amethyst is Februarys birthstone and the stone associated with the 6th wedding anniversary. Lore surrounds amethyst as the gemstone named after a maiden adored by the Greek god, Bacchus and legend holds that a wearer of amethyst will not fall victim to intoxication. In the 12th and 13th century France, people believed the stone protected them from treason and deceit. Long thought to symbolize protection, peace and tranquility, amethyst's purple is the color of royalty and is Oprah Winfrey’s favorite color. Found in a variety of sizes and predominantly in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia and Namibia, this beautiful and affordable gemstone is a variety of quartz. It is durable to wear on a daily basis, although care should be taken to avoid heat or sudden temperature changes. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe. << More about the Amethyst >>

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March II Aquamarine II Capricorn / Aquarius
This greenish blue to bluish green variety of the mineral beryl, has long symbolized youth, hope, health, fidelity, and is both the designated birthstone for March and the perfect gift for the 19th wedding anniversary. Named after the Greek word for saltwater, this light blue cousin to emerald and morganite (a light purplish pink beryl), was once thought to magically conquer wickedness and aid in the treatment of respiratory ailments, hiccups and eye troubles. The possession of an aquamarine is said to give the owner courage, power over the devil, and strengthened will. More abundant and affordable than emerald, aquamarine is typically inclusion free and durable to wear every day. Primarily sources are China, Brazil, United States, Russia and Madagascar. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning is usually safe.
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April II Diamond II Aries / Taurus
Diamonds reside in a prestigious class all their own, with a history that dates back to the 15th century. The first recorded diamond engagement ring was bestowed to the fiancée of an Austrian prince in 1477. From this time forward, diamonds have been the representation of love and promise of marriage. Over the years, people began to purchase diamonds to celebrate important events in their lives such as anniversary, marriages, achievements, and engagements, or to simply reveal an expression of love. Technological advances have allowed for accurate cutting, polishing and finishing of diamonds. These improvements are responsible for the vast number of styles and cuts that are on the market today. This wide variety of gems and price ranges will easily fulfill everyone’s taste and budget. << More about the Diamond >>

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May II Emerald II Taurus / Geminis
Symbolizing rebirth and youth, emerald is May’s birthstone, the traditional gift of 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries, and was once thought to empower the wearer to see into the future. As one of the most revered gemstones, emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl, colored by chromium. Legends surround emerald and people once believed it to protect the wearer from evil spells, strengthen one’s memory, soothe tired eyes, and call forth the truth from a lover’s words.

First mined in southern Egypt, today’s leading high-quality emerald suppliers are Columbia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Most emeralds have internal characteristics, called inclusions and sometimes a grouping of these markings is referred to as “a garden”. Commonly oiled, emerald’s surface reaching fissures are often filled with a clear resin like substance. Both treatments enhance emerald’s color and appearance. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic, steam cleaning and commercial jewelry cleaners should be avoided. << More about the Emerald >>

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June II Pearl of Alexandrite II Gemini / Cancer
Alexandrite is a beautiful, rare stone. It is very difficult to find natural Alexandrite. Most Alexandrites on the market are synthetic. Alexandrite rings are very beautiful. If Alexandrite is set in a ring, the wearer can watch the colors change. Alexandrite changes from green to red, mauve or brown in incadescent light. Alexandrite has a hardness rating of 8.5. Protect alexandrite from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. Be especially careful when getting this stone (re)mounted as the heat from a jewelers torch may affect its color change. There are many many synthetic alexandrites on the market. Natural alexandrite is very rare. Alexandrite is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Russia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. << More about the Pearl of Alexandrite Stone>>

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July II Ruby II Cancer / Leo
Associated with fire and passion, ruby is July's birthstone, the traditional gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, and was once thought to be “the king of gems” by the people of ancient India. The most treasured of all red colored gemstones, ruby is the orange red to purplish red variety of corundum and is named from a Latin derivative meaning red. Colored by chromium, this cousin to sapphire was once believed to bring the wearer health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. Ruby's protective powers are supposedly intensified when set in jewelry and worn on the left side. It is no wonder why ruby jewelry is commonly given as a Valentine Day gift.

Large, high quality rubies are rare; therefore smaller gems (under 0.25 ct.) are more commonly seen. Mined throughout Southeast Asia; key ruby sources are Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). The more intense red a ruby is, the more desirable, therefore a majority of rubies are heat treated to permanently improve their color and appearance. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually safe. << More about the Ruby >>

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August II Peridot II Leo / Virgo
Once believed to be a powerful amulet to ward off evil, nightmares and an effective remedy for sinus problems if crushed and ingested, peridot is the designated that August birthstone and the suggested gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary. Ranging in color from light yellowish green to a deep yellowish brownish green, Hawaiian legend calls peridot, the tears shed by Pele, the goddess of the volcano. The French are accredited with naming this peridot, from the Arabic word, faridat, which means gem. Today’s production is mined primarily in the China, United States (Arizona), Myanmar (Burma), and on St. John’s Island, Zebriget. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid household chemicals, scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe. Avoid steam cleaning. << More about the Peridot >>

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September II Sapphire II Virgo / Libra
Rubies are red. Sapphires are commonly known as blue—but not always. This variety of corundum naturally occurs in a rainbow of fancy colors (purple, pink, orange, yellow, green and all shades between), although blue remains the most popular and well known. Designated as September’s birthstone, the traditional gift for 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries, blue sapphire, colored by iron, was once worn by kings to protect them from harm and envy. Named after the Latin word sapphirus, for blue, sapphire was believed to be an antidote of poison in ancient times and had powers to heal eye diseases. Magicians delighted in the gemstone’s apparent ability to command spirits. Princess Diana is attributed for increasing sapphire’s treasured position in the public’s eye when she selected a blue sapphire for her engagement ring. Women around the world followed her lead.

Connoisseurs believe Kashmir, the area of India to be the source of the finest, intense blue sapphires. However, the supply is limited. Today a majority of the world’s production comes from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma) and Australia. As with any colored gemstone, the purer and more intensely colored the sapphire is, the more valuable. Sapphires are commonly enhanced to permanently improve their color and appearance through controlled heat treatment. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually safe. << More about the Sapphire >>

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October II Opal II Libra / Scorpio
The Greeks and Romans believed it symbolized hope, innocence, and purity, and some thought opal embodied the spirit of truth. Opal is the designated birthstone for October, symbolizes the 14th wedding anniversary, and Shakespeare regarded it as “the queen of gems.” The old wives’ tale about opal bringing bad luck originated in the 1800s when Sir Walter Scott published a novel about a heroine had bad luck while wearing her opal, hence some people regarded opal as unlucky. The ancient Arabs believed opal landed from heaven on the bolts of lightning, however, Australia is the main source of production followed by Mexico, Brazil and the United States. Available in a wide range of color variations, opal is typically white in body color with rainbow sparkles (play-of-color). The more rare black opal with rainbow play-of-color and large red flashes is the most expensive and prized. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid household chemicals, scratches and sharp blows. Keep opals away from extremely cold and hot temperatures and out of intense sunlight. Avoid steam cleaning, commercial jewelry cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners. << More about the Opal >>

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November II Citrin or Precious Topaz II Scorpio / Sagittarius
Citrin
Derived from the French word for lemon, this yellow to golden orange hued member of the quartz family is a cousin to amethyst and an alternative birthstone for November and the designated gemstone symbolizing the 13th wedding anniversary. Once carried as a charm warding off snakebites, citrine was also believed to protect the wearer from the plague, bad skin and evil thoughts. Today citrine is plentiful, affordable and its warm shades complement many wardrobes and skin tones. Citrine is commonly confused with precious golden topaz, however the gemstones have different gemological properties, characteristics, and precious golden topaz is rare and therefore more expensive. Although practically all citrine is heat treated to enhance its golden color, it is durable and can be worn on a daily basis. Found primarily in Brazil, citrine is now being mined in Bolivia. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe.

Topaz
Precious golden topaz, the birthstone for November symbolizes the 23rd wedding anniversary and is named for “Topazios” (renamed Zabargad) an island in the Red Sea. Over the years people have called many yellow gemstones (such as golden sapphire, citrine, and even yellowish peridot) “topaz” and some confusion still exists today. To eliminate the confusion, the term “precious topaz” distinguishes it. The ancient Greeks believed topaz could ward off enchantment, dispel sadness, assure beauty, and strengthen intellect. The finest precious topaz is mined in Brazil and occurs in many natural colors (yellows, yellowish green, pink, red, purple, blue and colorless).

Natural blue topaz is rare, except in lighter tones, so the inexpensive, abundant colorless topaz is color enhanced blue through an intense irradiation (safe and permanent) and heat treatment. Blue topaz is an alternative birthstone for December and signifies the 4th wedding anniversary. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to avoid scratches and sharp blows can damage topaz. Avoid sudden temperature changes, household chemicals, ultrasonic and steam cleaning. << More about the Topaz >>

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December II Turquoise, Blue Topaz II Sagittarius / Capricorn
Topaz
Topaz is a light blue stone. It is less expensive than aquamarine, and looks like aquamarine. It looks beautiful in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. Topaz comes in many colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and clear. Orange-red "Imperial" topaz is rare. Topaz has a hardness of 8.

As with all gems, protect topaz from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as leaving it be a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean topaz in a home ultrasonic cleaner. The best way to clean topaz is warm soapy water. Clear topaz is commonly irradiated and heat treated to become other colors such as blue. Yellow and brown topaz is often heat treated to become pink topaz. Natural pink topaz is rare. Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here: "Bohemian Topaz", "Madeira Topaz" and "Occidental topaz" are really yellow quartz (also known as citrine). "Nevada topaz" is really smoky obsidian. "Spanish topaz" is really orange-brown quartz.

Topaz is found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and USA (Colorado, Maine and Utah).

Turquoise
Turquoise's color ranges from sky blue to green. It has a hardness of 6. Howlite is often dyed to imitate turquoise. Turquoise made in a laboratory has a very uniform color. Chalky varieties of turquoise are often coated with wax or oil to enhance color - and when treated like this, the color change is not permanent. Turquoise is often fracture sealed. This doesen't mean that it has fractures, it means that it was seal ed with an acrylic resin to enhance it's color, texture, and hardness. Turquoise is somewhat soft so avoid scratches and sharp blows. To be certain and coatings are not removed also avoid hot water and household chemicals.

Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here: "Vienna turquoise" is really a glass imitation. Turquoise is found in Australia, Chile, Iran, Mexico, Tibet, USA (Arizona , California and New Mexico). << More about the Turquoise >>

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