| Everyone has a birthstone, and birthstone jewelry | | | | beryl, which includes the light blue aquamarine. |
| is a thoughtful and unique gift for anyone who | | | | June: June birthdays are represented by the Pearl. |
| enjoys wearing their personal stone. | | | | An organic gem created by layers of nacre |
| Traditionally, each month of the year has a | | | | around an irritant inside the shell of the oyster, |
| gemstone associated with it. Where did the | | | | the unique iridescent luster of pearls make |
| custom come from? Encyclopedia Brittanica | | | | jewelry that has been prized for centuries all over |
| states that "Supernatural powers have long been | | | | the world. Simple and elegant, pearls are beautiful |
| attributed by astrologers to certain gemstones. | | | | when made into strands for necklaces, or as a |
| Wearing the gem associated with one's birthday is | | | | single pearl earring. |
| commonly thought to bring good luck or health." | | | | July: The birthstone for July is the Ruby. With its |
| Another theory is that tradition of birthstones | | | | eye-catching fiery crimson color, it's a variety of |
| arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a | | | | corundum, like sapphire, and has the same natural |
| ceremonial religious garment set with twelve | | | | vibrancy. The best rubies have good color depth |
| gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of | | | | and transparency. The Burke Museum web site |
| Israel and also corresponded with the twelve | | | | states that "Ancient Hindus referred to it as "the |
| signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the | | | | king of gems," and royalty used ruby to ward off |
| year. | | | | evil because it was believed to have magical |
| Whatever the reason, beautiful rings, necklaces, | | | | powers. One such magical power was that the |
| earrings and pins in the 12 traditional birthstones | | | | ruby would get darker in the presence of evil and |
| have been valued and worn for hundreds of | | | | lighter when the evil was gone-but only if |
| years. | | | | possessed by its rightful owner". |
| Here are the traditional gems for each month of | | | | August: Peridot is August's birthstone. Treasured |
| the year: | | | | from the Middle East to the Pacific, peridot's |
| January: Deep red Garnet is the traditional stone | | | | unique bright yellowish-green sparkles, especially |
| for January birthdays. Garnet displays the | | | | when paired with diamonds. Ancient Egyptians |
| greatest variety of color of any mineral, occurring | | | | called it "the gem of the sun". |
| in every color except blue. For over 5,000 years, | | | | September: Brilliant deep blue Sapphire is the |
| the rich burgundy red color and vivid, translucent | | | | birthstone for September. From the same |
| color have made garnet a favorite gemstone. Set | | | | gemstone family as the ruby, sapphires have |
| in gold, garnet radiates warmth. | | | | velvety blue shades and bright highlights. In ancient |
| February: Brilliant, deep purple Amethyst is the | | | | times some people believed that sapphire had |
| birthstone for February. A variety of quartz, | | | | medical healing properties, such as the ability to |
| Amethyst has long been part of crown jewels - a | | | | cure colic, rheumatism, blindness, and mental |
| reference to "Royal Purple". According to Greek | | | | illnesses. Sapphires are particularly beautiful when |
| myth, Amethyst, a lovely maiden on her way to | | | | set with diamonds in white gold or platinum. |
| pay tribute to the goddess Diana, was turned into | | | | October: The birthstone for October is the Opal. |
| a pillar of crystal to protect her from tigers | | | | The endless color flashes give a unique experience |
| unleashed by an angry Dionysius. Amethyst gem | | | | whenever the stone is moved or turned. To |
| stones come in many shades of purple, but must | | | | enhance their fiery play of color, opals are cut into |
| be purple to be considered amethyst. | | | | cabochon shapes, rounded without facets, as |
| March: The birthstone for the month of March is | | | | opposed to the faceted shapes of other gem |
| Aquamarine. Like emerald, this light blue stone is a | | | | stones. Opals were valued by ancient monarchs in |
| variety of beryl. Associated with water, | | | | the belief that the stones would ward off evil |
| aquamarines are particularly valued by those who | | | | powers. |
| live by and on the sea. Sailors used to wear | | | | November: Citrine's golden yellow orange color is |
| talismen made of aquamarine to protect them | | | | the traditional birthstone for November. Evocative |
| from the elements. Good quality aquamarine | | | | of autumn's vibrant colors, citrine gets its name |
| stones will have clear bright colors. | | | | from the French word for "lemon". Like amethyst, |
| April: April's birthstone is the Diamond, found in | | | | citrine is a variety of quartz, and its warmth, |
| Kimberlite, an ancient volcanic rock. Diamonds | | | | paired with gold, add a bright splash of color to |
| have been prized for all kinds of jewelry for | | | | any piece of jewelry. Like all varieties of quartz, |
| centuries and are beautifully matched with all of | | | | citrine was thought to have magical powers. |
| the other birthstones. High quality diamonds will | | | | December: Rounding out the year of birthstones, |
| have a good balance of the four "C's - cut, color, | | | | December's stone is the Blue Topaz. With its |
| clarity and carat weight. | | | | range of radiant bright blue hues, blue topaz has |
| May: Rich green Emeralds are the birthstone for | | | | been used in fine jewelry for thousands of years. |
| the month of May. With vivid, saturated color, | | | | An alternate birthstone for December is |
| emeralds define the color green. Cleopatra was | | | | Turquoise. Prized by Native Americans, and a |
| known for wearing lots of huge emerald jewelry, | | | | staple feature in their silver jewelry, Turquoise |
| and gave emeralds carved with her portrait to | | | | comes in shades of blue from aqua to green. |
| her important visitors. Emerald is a variety of | | | | |