JanuaryGarnet is the official birthstone of January. Whem most people think of garnet, they think of the traditional dark red gemstone that often looks black in dim light. However, garnet comes in every color of the rainbow except blue! Garnet has been a popular gem for over 5000 years. In ancient Egypt, garnets were worked into beads or set into jewelry. Garnet is a hard and durable stone and can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning machine, jewelry cleaner, or mild soap and water. Some of the most important sources of garnet throughout the world are Africa, Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
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Amethyst is the official birthstone of February. Amethyst is found in hues ranging from pale lavender to darkest violet.
With purple being the chosen color of royalty, amethyst has enjoyed an unwavering popularity for thousands of years.
The finest quality amethyst is highly transparent and is rich, deep purple in color. Amethyst is durable, affordable, and beautiful. Amethyst is resistant to cracking and breaking and is safe to clean with almost any commercial jewelry cleaner. Amethyst can fade when exposed to direct sunlight. Some of the most important amethyst sources are found in Brazil and Uruguay.
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Aquamarine is the official birthstone of March. Aquamarine was highly prized by ancient people, and was especially common in ancient Greece where it was prized for its resemblance to the sea touched by the sun. Aquamarine ranges in color from very pale blue to medium blue, and is often found with a tint of green.
Generally, the darker shades of aquamarine have higher value, but many people prefer the lively brightness of the lighter hues. Aquamarines should never be cleaned with a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaning machine. They can be cleaned with commercial jewelry cleaner as well as soap and water. The most important source for aquamarines today is Brazil.
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Diamond is the official birthstone of April.
Diamonds were discovered in India in 500 B.C. and have enjoyed unwavering popularity ever since. Since ancient Greece, diamonds have been the traditional symbol of love. Truly colorless diamonds have the highest value, but diamonds can be found in yellow, blue, pink, green, and even black. These colored diamonds are more rare.
Many famous diamonds span the course of history, including the blue Hope diamond and the transparent Koh-i-noor diamond. Diamond is safe to clean with almost anything because it is the most durable gemstone on the market.
The most important sources of diamonds are Russia, Botswana, Australia, and the Congo.
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Emerald is the official birthstone of May. Emeralds have been treasured for thousands of years as a symbol for rebirth and enduring love.
Emeralds are dark to medium green in hue, and can sometimes be found in a bluefish green color. Pure green emeralds are highly desirable. If a gem is too light in color, it is referred to as a green beryl. Natural emeralds almost always have at least some small inclusions. Emeralds without inclusions are very, very rare and very valuable.
Never clean an emerald with an ultrasonic cleaning machine or steam cleaner. The safest way to clean a piece of emerald jewelry is with soap and water. The most important sources of emeralds are Colombia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Russia.
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Pearl is the official birthstone of June. Long known as the "Queen of Gems," the pore possesses a historical allure more compelling than any other gem. A perfectly matched strand of natural pearls is a treasure of incomparable value. Natural pearls are very rare, as most pearls are now cultured pearls assisted in their creation by man. Both fresh and saltwater pearls are cultivated. Pearls range in color from white and cream to gray and black, and can also be found in purple, gold, and yellow. Pearls are softer than most gemstones and should only be cleaned with mild soap and water or commercial cleaner specifically made for pearls. The most important sources of pearls are Japan, China, and Australia. |
Ruby is the official birthstone of July. Many times rarer than diamonds, rubies have been the most valued gemstone for centuries. Ruby holds the undisputed title as the "King of Gems." Rubies range in color from purplish red to orange red and belong to the same mineral family as the sapphire. All other colors of the corundum gem family except for red are known as sapphires, rather than rubies. The most sought after rubies are pure red or red with a very slight pink undertone. Rubies are hard and durable and can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaning machine, commercial jewelry cleaner, or soap and water. The finest rubies in the world are mined in Myanmar. Rubies are also mined in Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. |
Peridot is the official birthstone of August.
Peridot is gemstone quality olivine.
Peridot has been mined for at least 4000 years and legend states that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. Most peridot are pale greenish yellow, but can come in darker shades of green.
Peridot is sometimes referred to as the "Evening Emerald," and many emeralds in royal treasuries have turned out to be peridot! Peridot is a delicate gemstone. Therefore, avoid exposing peridot to harsh temperature changes and do not clean peridot with an ultrasonic cleaning machine. The most important sources of peridot are Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Myanmar, Norway, and the USA.
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Sapphire is the official birthstone of September. Sapphire and ruby are both forms of the mineral corundum. Sapphires are generally considered to be blue stones, but can be found in any color except for red. Red corundum is referred to as ruby. Sapphires have been popular stones for thousands of years. Star sapphire is a type of sapphire that exhibits a six-rayed star shaped pattern when viewed with a single overhead light source. Star sapphires are very rare.
Sapphires are very durable and can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaning machine, commercial jewelry cleaner, or soap and water. The most important sources of sapphire are Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, the USA, and Thailand.
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Opal is the official birthstone of October.
Opal is one of the few gemstones that is sedimentary in origin. Though its structure is closely related to quartz, it is
formed in amorphous balls or lumps rather than ordered, naturally faceted crystals.
The most striking quality of opal is its ability to refract and reflect different wavelengths of light. This play of light has made opals famous for many years.
An important part of the play of light found in opals comes from tiny pockets of water stored inside the opal. Opal is a delicate stone and should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaning machine or any harsh chemicals. The most important sources of opals are Australia, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Mexico, and the USA.
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Topaz is the official birthstone of November. Topaz is commonly thought of as yellow in color, but topaz comes in many colors, including blue, pink, brown, green, and colorless. Orange-red "Imperial" topaz is very rare. Topaz has been used in jewelry for centuries and has been historically confused with citrine, which is a yellow or orange form of quartz. Blue topaz is often confused with aquamarine. Topaz is one of the hardest materials in nature and is safe to clean with commercial jewelry cleaners, but it is always safest to clean all gems with soap and water. The most important sources of topaz are Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, and Myanmar. |
Turquoise is the official birthstone of December.
Turquoise is possibly the most valuable non-transparent material in the jewelry trade. It has been mined since 6000 B.C. where it was used in jewelry by the ancient Egyptians. Turquoise is also common in Native American and ancient Persian jewelry. Turquoise ranges in color from greenish blue to sky blue shades, but is most often found in, of course, turquoise. Turquoise is a soft stone and should be cleaned with soap and water to keep from scratching the stone. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by the turquoise found in the southwestern United States.
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Anniversary Guide
This guide will help you choose the right gift to celebrate your anniversary!
Year |
Traditional |
Modern |
Gems |
1st |
Paper |
Clocks |
Gold Jewelry |
| 2nd | Cotton |
China |
Garnet |
| 3rd | Leather |
Crystal or Glass |
Pearls |
| 4th | Fruit or Flowers |
Appliances |
Blue Topaz |
| 5th | Wood |
Silverware |
Sapphire |
| 6h | Candy or Iron |
Wood |
Amethyst |
| 7th | Wool or Copper |
Desk Sets |
Onyx |
| 8th | Bronze or Pottery |
Linens or Lace |
Tourmaline |
| 9th | Pottery or Willow |
Leather |
Lapis |
| 10th | Tin or Aluminum |
Diamond Jewelry |
Diamonds |
| 11th | Steel |
Fashion Jewelry |
Turquoise |
| 12th | Silk or Linen |
Pearls |
Jade |
| 13th | Lace |
Textiles or Furs |
Citrine |
| 14th | Ivory |
Gold Jewelry |
Opal |
| 15th | Crystal |
Watches |
Ruby |
| 20th | China |
Platinum |
Peridot |
| 25th | Silver |
Silver |
Silver Jubilee |
| 30th | Pearl |
Diamond |
Pearl Jubilee |
| 35th | Coral |
Jade |
Emerald |
| 40th | Ruby |
Ruby |
Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold |
Gold |
Golden Jubilee |
| 55th | Emerald |
Emerald |
Alexandrite |
| 60th | Diamond |
Diamond |
Diamond Jubilee |
