Birthstones are the specific gemstones that
are associated with a particular month of the year. These stones are
customarily worn by people born during that particular month. The
distant color, luster and strength are important qualities that set
gems apart from other minerals. The different birthstones related
with each month are:
Garnet- January's Birthstone
Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. The word "Garnet"
is derived from the Latin word granatus, meaning like a grain. It
refers to the mode of occurrence where crystals resemble grains or
seeds embedded in a matrix. Garnet is a family of minerals having
similar physical and crystalline properties.
Garnet have high indices of refraction and are very hard with
variety of colors. They are transparent, lack cleavage and are quite
durable. Garnets vary greatly in colors and varieties being rare and
beautiful. Specific garnets have distinct properties and much to
offer as both gemstones and mineral specimens. Garnets offer enough
variety in appearance to suit all kinds of requirements. They are
available in all colors except blue and are the anniversary
gemstones for the second year of marriage.
Amethyst- February's Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. A popular
gemstone, Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. The word "Amethyst"
is derived from Greek word meaning "not drunken". Amethyst
was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness. And the
gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.
Amethyst occur as long prismatic crystals with six sided pyramids
at either end. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its
purple color that has long been considered a royal color. Thus, the
stone is popular through the history. It ranges from pale lilac to
nearly black purple shades. The highest quality of amethyst is
transparent and is sometimes heat treated to create Citrine. It is
available in a enormous range of calibrated sizes and shapes, cut in
standardized dimensions. It symbolizes peace, protection and
tranquality and is the anniversary gemstone for the sixth year of
marriage.
Aquamarine: March's Gemstone
Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March. The birthstone
derives its name from "sea water and is available in light
blue, pale blues or blue-green stone colors. It is said to have
strong charm when it is immersed in water. Aquamarine belongs to the
Beryl family of gemstones and is a big and durable gemstone.
Available in larger sizes, Aquamarine is truly dramatic when cut in
rectangular or oval shapes.
Aquamarine is believed to have a soothing influence on land
particularly on married couples. Its power helps married couples to
work out their differences ensuring a long and fruitful marriage.
The birthstone is a universal symbol of youth, fidelity, hope and
health. Aquamarine gives knowledge, foresight and assists the person
in his inspirations. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 19th
year of marriage.
Diamond: April's Gemstone
Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. It derives its
name from the Greek word "adamas" meaning
unconquerable-the eternity of love. Diamond is composed of the
single element carbon and is the hardest and purest gemstones known
to man. Besides having spiritual and magical properties, diamond has
a rarity factor also. Diamond is a colorless stone. However, some
varieties of brown, yellow, green, blue, pink, red, gray and black
are also found depending on the impurities present in the stone. It
is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th and 60th years of marriage
The value of a diamond is decided by:
Cut
Cut determines the brilliance of a diamond. The stone's facets
should be placed in exact geometric relation to one another as the
proper proportions are compromised to make the stone weigh more.
Clarity
When the amount of inclusions is few, the diamond is more clear,
brilliant and costly. Although flawless diamonds are extremely rare.
Color
Diamond is more valuable when it is colorless. The majority of
stones contain slight traces of yellow or light brown.
Weight
The carat(ct) weight is the standard measure of a diamond's size.
It has significance only when the above 3 C's are carefully
considered. A large stone is not very valuable if it lacks
brilliance, purity and high-grade color.
Emerald: May's Gemstone
Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May and derives its name
from the Greek word "smaragdos" meaning green. Emerald is
a green to blue green variety of the mineral Beryl and its color
ranges from a deep grass green to yellow green and blue-tinges mixed
with deep shades of green.
Emerald is clouded with many inclusions and the nature of these
inclusions is indicative of the source of the emerald. The ancients
believed that it helped sharpen the wearer's eyesight and mind. It
is also said to provide the power to predict the future. Emerald is
the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage.
Cultured Pearl: June's Gemstone
Cultured Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It is
formed in shellfish as a reactant to irritants. Cultured pearls are
formed by adding a piece of shell inside an oyster of mussel. Pearl
is also unique and the only gem that can be utilized in jewelry as
soon as it is found. The other gems need to be fashioned and
polished before they are used.
Pearls are less durable than other gems and are sensitive to acids,
dryness and humidity. As the luster or "orient" of the
pearl is higher, pearl becomes more and more valuable. The oriental
pearl is known as the gem of the moon and has been recognized as the
emblem of modesty, chastity and purity.
Ruby: July's Gemstone
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. The red color of the
ruby is due to traces of chromium. Rubies are often heat treated to
permanently improve their color and clarity. Ruby is the anniversary
gemstone for the 15th and 40th years of marriage.
It is very uncommon to find large sized rubies, as they are very
scarce and costly, more than 2 to 3 times a diamond of equal size
and quality. While deciding upon a ruby purchase, it is very
significant to carefully see the size, quality, color and price as
they are closely related. They grow in crystal form belonging to the
hexagonal family of shapes, before they are cut and polished.
Peridot: August's Gemstone
Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. Peridot, the
volcanic gem, is a transparent lime or olive green. It is a gem
variety of the mineral Chrysolite or Olivene and the anniversary
gemstone for the 16th year of marriage.
Peridot symbolizes eloquence and persuasiveness ans is believed to
be a powerful amulet against all evil, as well as a remedy for sinus
problems. In earlier times, Peridot was useful for calming raging
angers and nervous afflictions. The ancient Romans used Peridot to
promote quiet sleep.
Sapphire: September's Gemstone
Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphire is
a variety of corundum or aluminum oxide and are available in every
color but red- blue, bright blue, golden yellow, reddish-orange,
violet etc. The most valuable and popular sapphires have a medium
intense, vivid royal blue color. Some sapphires do change their
colors between blue and violet depending on the light. It is the
anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.
Sapphires are generally cut in cushion shape, rounded rectangle or
an oval shape. However, fancy sapphires also have round brilliant
cuts and a wide variety of shapes like: triangles, squares,
marquises, pear shapes, cabochon cut, smooth domes etc.
Opal: October's Gemstone
Opal is the birthstone for the month of October. It derives its
name from the Roman word opalus and the Greek word opallios meaning
"to see a change of color." Australia is famous for the
precious white and black opal. Other fine varieties of Opal are:
fire opal, the bright red, reddish-yellow and orange body colored
opal.
Opal is a noncrystalline form of silica that displays a high degree
of internal organization. Opal has the ability to refract and
reflect specific wavelengths of light. It is brittle, heat sensitive
and gets scratched easily.
Citrine: November's Gemstone
Citrine is the birthstone for the month of November. It is yellow
quartz with a hardness of 7. It derives its name from the French "citron"
meaning lemon and thus has a juicy lemon color. Citrine gets
scratched easily and often permanently changes its color if left in
the sunlight for sometime. This golden quartz is a very durable and
easily available stone, thus most affordable.
The colors range from yellow to gold, orange and brown shades of
transparent quartz. It is the heated form of the gemstone Amethyst.
In ancient times, Citrine was carried as a protection against snake
venom and evil thoughts. The dark orange color of Citrineis the most
valued color. Citrine is generally inexpensive than amethyst and is
available in a wide range of calibrated sizes and shapes, including
very large sizes.
Blue Topaz: December's Gemstone
Blue Topaz is the birthstone for the month of December. It is the
anniversary gemstone for the 4th year of marriage. A beautiful light
blue stone, Topaz is less expensive than aquamarine and comes in a
variety of colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and
clear.
The most popular topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese
Crown, the Braganza. Blue topaz has become a popular alternative in
recent years for those who prefer faceted stones. 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 and natural pink topaz is rare.
