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GEMSTONE GUIDE

GEMSTONES &
BIRTHSTONES

WHAT IS A GEMSTONE

Gemstones are minerals prized for their beauty, relative scarcity and durability. Out of the approximately 3,000 minerals available, only about 300 are valuable enough to be cut into gems. Gemstones may last forever, but the world of gemstones is always changing. New sources are discovered, new cutting methods perfected, new fashion colors introduced, and new ways of using gemstones are constantly being developed.

Most gemstones are hard minerals formed by nature, deep in the earth, without assistance from man. Gemstones range in color from crystal clear to deepest black and every color of the rainbow in between. Some are opaque, like jade or onyx, meaning no light passes through them. Others, like diamonds and sapphires, are crystalline and reflect light in sparkling brilliance.

People in all parts of the world either wear or carry gemstones as an ornament or as a talisman. Certain gemstones are thought to have certain metaphysical abilities, like healing, health or inspiration. Gemstones may also be birthstones, and are believed to reflect traits of persons born in designated months. Whether gemstones have supernatural traits is up to the wearer.

TYPES OF GEMSTONE

There are three different types of gemstones: natural, lab-created and simulated.

GENIUNE

Mined from nature. No assistance from man was given to create these stones – they occur naturally. These gemstones will either be unmarked or noted as “genuine” stones.

LAB-CREATED

Has all the physical properties of a natural stone – including chemical composition, crystal structure and optical and physical properties - except it has been “grown” in a lab. Only a well-trained gemologist can tell if a stone is natural or lab-created.

SIMULATED

A simulated gemstone is one made entirely by man and has no natural counterpart. Simulated gemstones can be made of glass, resin, crystal or other materials. When purchasing, the fact that gemstones are “simulated” must be on the label.

BIRTHSTONE
JEWELRY

There is a different and beautiful birthstone for every month of the year. And when it comes to a truly meaningful gift, birthstone jewelry is the perfect choice. Birthstones are gemstones that have personal, astrological or mythical meaning to the wearer. Most gemstones, including birthstones, are thought to hold unique healing powers.

JAN

GARNET

Garnet is believed to be the gemstone of friendship, loyalty and devotion.
Garnet is typically a rich brownish-red color.

SHOP GARNET JEWELRY
FEB

AMETHYST

Often worn as a talisman, amethyst is said to ward off evil spirits. Amethyst ranges from pale pinkish-lavender to rich, deep purple.

SHOP AMETHYST JEWELRY
MAR

AQUAMARINE

Sought after as a stone of healing, aquamarine is worn as protection from the dangers of the sea. Aquamarine is generally a light, icy blue.

SHOP AQUAMARINE JEWELRY
APR

DIAMOND

Diamond is said to be the gemstone of everlasting love. Diamonds range in hue from white to brown to black and are available in many colors.

SHOP DIAMOND JEWELRY
MAY

EMERALD

Long associated with fertility and rebirth, today emeralds are believed to signify wisdom and patience. Emeralds range from pale to deep green.

SHOP EMERALD JEWELRY
JUN

PEARL

Thought to be the tears of the goddess Aphrodite, pearls are symbolic of love and purity.
Pearls can be found in many colors, but the most popular is white.

SHOP PEARL JEWELRY
JUL

RUBY

Regarded by ancient Hindus as the “king of the gems”. Today ruby signifies love and passion. Ruby ranges in color from pale to rich red.

SHOP RUBY JEWELRY
AUG

PERIDOT

Believed to have the power to attract wealth, peridot is a gemstone of strength. Peridot ranges from pale to rich spring green.

SHOP PERIDOT JEWELRY
SEP

SAPPHIRE

Thought to guard against evil, today sapphires symbolize purity, fidelity and wisdom.
Sapphires are available in every color except red, however blue is the most popular.

SHOP SAPPHIRE JEWELRY
OCT

OPAL

Unique and opulent, opals symbolize faithfulness, confidence, hope and purity. Opals are available in many colors with iridescent white being the most popular.

SHOP OPAL JEWELRY
NOV

CITRINE

Said to draw all good things unto the wearer, citrine also symbolizes energy, creativity and flexibility.Citrine boasts warm and sunny tones, while golden-yellow stones are highly prized.

SHOP CITRINE JEWELRY
DEC

BLUE TOPAZ

A symbol of love and affection, blue topaz is worn to increase strength, wisdom and courage. Blue topaz ranges in hue from pale Swiss blue to deep London blue.

SHOP BLUE TOPAZ JEWELRY

SHOP GEMSTONE JEWELRY

DIAMOND

One of the most popular gemstones, diamonds are the hardest of all. Diamond is also the traditional birthstone for April.

SHOP DIAMOND

OPAL

A unique and elegant stone, opals are said to exhibit all the colors of the rainbow. Opals range from white to black, with iridescent white being most popular. Opal is the traditional birthstone for October.

SHOP OPAL

PEARL

A true gem of the sea, most all pearls today are cultured in fresh and saltwater pearl farms. Available in many colors, pearl is the traditional birthstone for those born in June.

SHOP PEARL

SAPPHIRE

Sapphires are the second hardest mineral and are found in many colors. The most popular color sapphire is brilliant blue.

SHOP SAPPHIRE

RUBY

Rubies can range from pink to deep red to reddish brown. Ruby is also the traditional birthstone for those born in July.

SHOP RUBY

AMETHYST

While the most popular color of amethyst is bright purple, it's also available in pale pink, deep violet and a variety of greens. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.

SHOP AMETHYST

AQUAMARINE

Beautiful and unique, aquamarine is a dichroitic gemstone, meaning it appears either icy blue or colorless, depending on the angle from which it is viewed. It is the traditional birthstone for March.

SHOP AQUAMARINE

CITRINE

A warm and welcoming gemstone, citrine is commonly a rich golden-yellow, while Madeira citrine has an intense orange hue. Citrine is the traditional birthstone for November.

SHOP CITRINE

EMERALD

Rarer than diamonds, most emeralds today are lab-created. They range from pale green to bluish green, and are the traditional birthstone for May.

SHOP EMERALD

GARNET

Found in practically every color except blue, the most popular is rich maroon red. Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January.

SHOP GARNET

PERIDOT

Ranging from soft grass green to deep olive, peridot is a gemstone reminiscent of spring. It is also the traditional birthstone for August.

SHOP PERIDOT

DIAMOND

OPAL

PEARL

SAPPHIRE

RUBY

AMETHYST

AQUAMARINE

CITRINE

EMERALD

GARNET

PERIDOT

SHOP GEMSTONE JEWELRY

DIAMOND

OPAL

PEARL

SAPPHIRE

RUBY

AMETHYST

AQUAMARINE

CITRINE

EMERALD

GARNET

PERIDOT

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