Birthstones January: Garnet July: Ruby February: Amethyst August: Peridot March: Aquamarine September: Sapphire April: Diamond October: Opal May: Emerald November: Topaz June: Pearl December: Turquoise Garnet Garnet is typically thought of as a reddish gemstone, although it actually ranges from colorless to black. A fairly hard mineral, Garnet scores at about 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Garnet is the state gemstone of Connecticut and New York. Garnet is given and received as a symbol of consistency, perseverance, and good health. It is a power stone, and according to legend, it guides its wearer when he’s traveling at night. The stone also supposedly protects him from nightmares and depression. Garnet is the anniversary stone for the 2nd and 6th years of marriage. Amethyst Amethyst is a fairly common purple to lilac gemstone, ranging in translucence from fairly opaque to the more highly valued and higher quality transparent stones. It is a purple variety of the quartz family, and it is the most valuable in its group. If left in the sun, amethyst will tend to lose its color, which can only be restored by a fairly expensive radiation process. Heat-treated amethyst may change to other colors, such as yellow (citrine), red, brown, green, or clear, at which point it is no longer properly called amethyst. Amethyst is the state gemstone of South Carolina. Amethyst is a symbol of sincerity, security and peace of mind. Its name comes from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “without wine.” According to legend, drinking from an amethyst chalice will prevent intoxication. Amethyst can be imitated by purple glass, although its low price makes imitation relatively infrequent and fairly unattractive. Amethyst is the anniversary stone for the 4th, 6th, and 17th years of marriage. Aquamarine Aquamarine is a light-to-dark-blue gemstone that ranges in opacity from translucent to transparent, the clearer gems considered higher quality and more valuable. A variety of beryl, aquamarine’s color comes from the iron inside. It pales if left out in the sun, although it is routinely heat-treated to drive out any green in its coloration to form a more pure blue. Aquamarine means “sea water” in Latin and the stone is the state gem of Colorado. Aquamarine is a stone of love and mercy, and it is supposed to ease depression and grief. It is given and received as a symbol of beauty, honesty, and loyalty, and according to legend, it signifies the awakening of friendship among informal acquaintances and the rejuvenation of long marital relationships. Aquamarine given in earrings is said to awaken love and affection. Aquamarine is also said to be a protective stone, especially when immersed in water. Aquamarine is often imitated by a similar-colored spinel, although any transparent blue stone could conceivably be used. Aquamarine is the anniversary gemstone for the 16th and 19th years of marriage. Diamond Diamonds are viewed as special stones and are usually clear. However, due to the presence of impurities or other minerals inside, they may also be brown, yellow, green, blue, pink, red, gray, black, or purple. The diamond is the hardest mineral found in nature, having a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, and it is also one of the purest forms of carbon. The diamond is the state gem of Arkansas and the seasonal gem of Winter. Pure diamond is colorless, although the inclusion of other elements (like nitrogen) may alter the color of a diamond. Synthetic body color may be added to a diamond by means of heat and irradiation processes, which are permanent, and therefore considered legitimate. Such alterations, however, decrease the value of a naturally colored diamond. The diamond conducts heat better than any other mineral. They are a symbol of love and endurance, and also symbolize fearlessness, invincibility, and are said to be able to increase one’s clarity of thought. The higher the quality of his diamond, the more honest its owner is said to be, and the more clearly he may view matters. The diamond is referred to as the “King Gem.” The diamond is the anniversary gemstone for the 30th and 60th years of marriage, as well as the anniversary gift for the 10th year. Emerald Emerald is a light-to-dark-green gemstone, a form of the mineral beryl that derives its color from the elements chromium and vanadium. It is often irradiated for clarity. Because emeralds grow in the limiting environment of surrounding metamorphic rocks, large emeralds are particularly rare. Emeralds of a deeper green are more valued, and small inclusions are not as detrimental to the value of an emerald as they are to other gems. Emeralds are often oiled to improve their apparent clarity and to soften the appearance of inclusions. This process is routine and is generally not disclosed. Emerald is the state gemstone of North Carolina and is said to be the seasonal gem of Spring. Supposedly, emerald can strengthen its wearer’s memory, quicken his intelligence, and assist in predicting the future. It is also supposed to aid in physical and emotional healing. According to legend, Satan lost the emerald from his crown when he fell from Heaven, a gem which was shaped into a bowl by the Queen of Sheba and sent to Nicodemus. Christ used the bowl at the last supper, and Joseph of Arimathea used the same dish to catch his blood at the Crucifixion, founding the Order of the Holy Grail. Emerald is the anniversary gemstone for the 20th, 35th, and 55th yeas of marriage. Pearl Not truly a gemstone, pearls are actually formed in shellfish as a reaction to irritants like sand. Cultured pearls may be formed by artificially placing irritants inside mussels. Pearls are generally white, brown, silver, cream, black, or pink, depending on the type of shellfish that created them and on the type of water in which the source shellfish lived. Their prices vary widely as a result of lustier, size, nurturing method, color, and type. Natural pearls are the most expensive, followed by cultured pearls, and finally freshwater pearls. Pearls are relatively soft, having a hardness factor of 3, and they are the state gemstone of Tennessee. Pearls are said to enable introspection and boost self-confidence. A gift of pearl is said to symbolize the love of the presenter. Pearls are also emblems of modesty, chastity, and purity, symbolizing love, success, and happiness. They are said to bring a happy marriage and are often referred to as the “Queen Gem.” The freshwater pearl is the anniversary stone for the first year of marriage. Natural pearl is the anniversary stone for the 3rd, 12th and 30th years of marriage. Ruby Ruby is a form of corundum, colored red by deposits of chromium and iron. Rubies are often heat-treated in order to permanently improve their color and clarity, and they have consistently been the most valued gem in history. The most expensive ruby, in fact, was a 16-carat piece sold for over $200,000 per carat in a US auction. Color is the most important characteristic of the ruby, a brilliant, deep red being the most valued color. Other criteria include clarity, with a transparent ruby being most valuable, cut, and, of course, size. The ruby is the Wisconsin state gemstone and is also said to be the seasonal gemstones of Summer. Rubies are stones of love and are supposedly capable of reconciling lovers’ quarrels. Ruby engagement rings are given to express passion and promise. According to legend, rubies are also thought to ward away misfortune and illness. As gifts, they are symbols of success, devotion, and integrity, and they are said to encourage acceptance of love. In the Bible, the ruby is referred to as the “lord of gems” and as the most precious of the twelve gems created by God. In ancient Sanskrit, ruby means the “ruler of precious gems.” Ruby is the anniversary stone for the 15th and 40th years of marriage. Peridot Peridot is a lime-green-to-olive-green gemstone often worn on necklaces and earrings. It is created from volcanic eruptions and is sometimes even found on meteors that have fallen to earth. Its color is dependent on its body size, so the smaller stones cannot produce the intense greens prized in the larger ones. It is the state gemstone of Nevada and has a hardness-rating of 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Peridot is a fairly soft gem and is susceptible to attack by acids, which can quickly remove the polish from its surface. Peridot is a symbol of fame, dignity, and protection, and it is used to transform dreams into reality. When set in gold, it also protects its wearer from terrors of the night. Legend has it that pirates favoured peridot to protect them against evil. Peridot is the anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage. Sapphire Although usually thought of as being a blue gemstone, sapphires in fact come in every color except for red, when they are dubbed rubies. Actually corundum, sapphires may be blue, white, purple, yellow, green, pink, and orange, and they have a hardness factor of 9 on the Mohs scale. Some sapphires change color from blue to purple, depending on the light. The highest quality sapphires have an intense, vivid, blue shade, holding their color in all angles of light. Sapphires have become more readily available, as the colors of poor quality sapphires, such those of light, cloudy, or dark colors, may easily be transformed into a more desirable one by means of a process involving intense heat. This process is completely stable and is now almost regarded as routine. Because of its hardness, the sapphire is one of the most durable gems. Sapphire is the state gemstone of Montana and is also considered the seasonal gemstone of Autumn. Sapphires represent truth, sincerity, and consistency. When mounted and on engagement rings, they are meant to symbolize the commitment and loyalty that the presenter pledges to the partner. According to legend, a sapphire attracts divine favour and protects its wearer from the evils of envy. Supposedly, sapphires are also a protective gemstone, warding off evil spirits, devils, poisons, sorcery, and ulcers. It is said that Moses was given the Ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire, making it a sacred gem. Some sapphires contain tiny, needle-like inclusions, dispersing light across their surfaces like a six-pointed star. These increasingly rare star sapphires are very popular in men’s rings and are judged based upon the sharpness of the star, the evenness of the rays of the star, and the body color of the sapphire. The ancients viewed the star sapphire as a very powerful talisman, protecting seekers and journeymen of all kinds. Sapphires are the anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage. Opal Opal is a shiny, variegated stone that reflects light in many different colors. Generally white, orange, or black, all opals have flecks of purple, red, green, and yellow dancing inside. Black opals with extremely dark body color have the most brilliant flashes of color and are the most valuable form of opal. Transparent opals are the next most valuable, as many layers of color may be seen inside their depths. Milky or white opals are the most affordable, but they tend to have diffused colors as a result of their light background. Water may compose up to 30% of an opal’s content, and drying out an opal may cause cracking. The Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal is the state gemstone of Nevada. Opal is given and received as a symbol of hope, happiness, and truth, and it was described in medieval times as a cure for diseases of the eye. According to legend, opal is also conducive to wise circumspection. Black opal is regarded as an extremely lucky stone. Some matrix opals are porous enough to accept a dye. Typically white, these stones are first soaked in sugar and then put in sulphuric acid. The acid bath turns the sugar black, giving the entire stone a black appearance. Some hydrophane opals are dyed with a polymer or by means of a smoking process. As with sugar/acid, the goal is to make the opal look like a black opal. Some opals are oiled to hide cracking and crazing. They can also be stabilized with other materials, such as plastics. Opal is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th and 18th years of marriage. Topaz Topaz is a typically light-blue gemstone, but it may also be found in blue, yellow, pink, brown, green, and clear. “Imperial” topaz, which is orange-red, is the rarest variety, and therefore the most valuable. The color of a clear topaz gem may be transformed into other colors by means of an irradiation and heat-treating process; for instance, blue, yellow, and brown topaz may be heat-treated to become pink, as natural pink topaz is relatively rare. Topaz has a hardness of 8 and is the state gemstone of both Utah and Texas. Topaz, in ancient times, was a symbol of strength. When carved into the shape of a falcon, it was thought to be able to acquire the good will of kings and princes. Topaz is the anniversary gemstone for the 4th and 19th years of marriage. Imperial topaz is the anniversary gemstone for the 23rd year. Turquoise Turquoise is a vibrant light-blue-to-green gemstone with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It is often fracture sealed, which means it is shielded by a layer of acrylic resin to enhance its color, texture, and hardness, not that it has fractures. Turquoise made in a laboratory has a very uniform color, and chalky varieties of turquoise are often coated with wax or oil to enhance their color. When thus treated, the color change is not permanent. Under heat (roughly about 500 degrees Celsius), blue turquoise will adopt a greenish hue. Turquoise is porous and will absorb oils over time, gradually changing to a yellowish color. Turquoise supposedly helps one avoid procrastination, and it has been thought to warn its wearer of danger or illness by changing color. Turquoise is the anniversary gemstone of the 5th year of marriage.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 02:27:22 +0000
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