| he twelve commonly recognized modern | | | | combinations of many elements which come |
| birthstones, they range vastly in rarity and price | | | | together to create minerals. Second, diamonds |
| from such gems as reasonably priced peridot for | | | | are the hardest substance on earth. The value of |
| August, to the rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and | | | | diamonds is based on a well defined system; you |
| emeralds. Two of the pricier stones, diamonds, | | | | have probably heard of the 4 C’s. The |
| and emeralds, are found in the trio of birthstones | | | | first C is clarity. As with most gems, the clearer |
| of spring: March’s aquamarine, | | | | the gem, the more valuable it is. This means |
| April’s diamond, and May’s emerald. | | | | there are no (or at least very few) impurities in it. |
| Like all birthstones, the history of aquamarine is | | | | The second C is cut, and unlike clarity, is |
| attached to fable and legend, and over time has | | | | controlled by the craftsman. Diamonds come in |
| become associated with particular qualities. | | | | many cuts, such as round, pear, and princess. The |
| Birthstones are generally thought to bring some | | | | shape of the cut determines how brilliant the |
| sort of good fortune to the wearer, or at least | | | | diamond is because it determines how many |
| protect them from bad, and this trait is usually | | | | differently angled surfaces (facets) there are to |
| narrowed down more specifically depending on | | | | reflect light. The third C is color. While yellow |
| the gem. In the case of aquamarine, as its name | | | | diamonds have become more trendy in recent |
| suggests, it is thought to be protective of sailors, | | | | past, colorless diamonds remain the most valuable |
| and even more powerful when submerged in | | | | and as such, the most sought after. Finally, there |
| water. Also like the sea, aquamarine is blue, | | | | is carat, the weight of the diamond. |
| sometimes with green in it. Clear blue aquamarine | | | | As anyone who has seen The Wizard of Oz can |
| is more valuable than the mixed color, and darker | | | | tell you, May’s birthstone, the emerald, is |
| blues are more rare as well. | | | | green. It is a form of the mineral beryl, as is the |
| Most people are more familiar with April’s | | | | above mentioned aquamarine. While generally |
| birthstone, the diamond. Diamonds are unique in | | | | spoken of regarding diamonds, the four Cs can |
| many ways, which only add to their value. First, | | | | also be applied to explain the value of different |
| diamonds are composed of only one element, | | | | emeralds. |
| carbon, whereas other gemstones are | | | | |