A Precious Stones Primer
Jewelry fashioned from precious stones can be a mystery to the average admirer. And understanding the nature of precious stones is literally a science called gemology. It takes years of study to become a gemologist. But what about you? You just think precious stones are beautiful. But a little knowledge goes a long way when you're looking for a piece of jewelry that's right for you. That's why we have put together a little primer, based on the birthstones now generally accepted in the United States:
January: Garnet - semi-precious - With a popularity dating back five millennia to ancient Egypt, this stone finally came into popularity in the west in the 1800s by way of dark red stones from Czechoslovakia, known as Bohemian garnets were very popular. Such pieces are still in high demand today for their beauty and uniqueness. But garnets come in a wide variety of color choices in every shade with the exception of blue.
February: Amethyst - semi-precious - Amethyst has been a favorite of many for centuries for obvious reasons. It is very affordable, but also quite beautiful, and durable. While not as hard as diamond, of course, amethyst is a quartzite that is resistant to both scratching and breaking. Like precious stones, it can be faceted.
March: Aquamarine - semi-precious - Aquamarine is a highly desirable gemstone ranging in appearance from a very light to medium blue. Some even exhibit a slight tint of green. Because blue is the most rarely occurring color in nature, the darker shades are more valued. And to make a bold statement, aquamarine is often available in sizes of over 5 carats. Gem quality aquamarine crystals weighing hundreds of pounds have been mined!
April: Diamond - precious - Diamonds have long been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India. But didn't really come into popularity for wedding rings until the Middle Ages. Revered for their purity and brilliance, their popularity really took off in the 1800s due to increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques. The four Cs of diamond quality are:carat, cut, color, and clarity.
May: Emerald - precious - Emerald is translucent to transparent known for its bright green color, but some stones actually verge on blue. But once an emerald's color goes too light, it is no longer considered an emerald at all, but rather a green beryl (beryl is the family of mineral emeralds come from). Unlike some stones, emerald actually is enhanced by imperfections known as gardens. But emeralds without imperfection are also highly valued due to their rarity.
June: Pearl - semi-precious - While not a stone at all, it is of course a mineral deposit called nacre formed inside of oysters. Most of today's pearls are cultured, formed by implanting irritating material inside of oysters. Colors range from white and cream to gray and black, as well as rich purples, golds and yellows. Various shapes are also available today.
July: Ruby - precious - Rubies come in a variety of tones of red, ranging from very nearly purple to orange-ish red. Because it is a cousin to the sapphire, if a ruby is too light or too purple or orange in hue, it is called a fancy sapphire. The most desired rubies are pure red or red with a slight pinkish hue. Very fine quality rubies of a large size, 3 carats or larger, are extremely rare and valuable.
August: Peridot - semi-precious - First mined on an island in the Red Sea, the peridot has a long history in antiquity dating back over 3,000 years to the pharaohs of Egypt. In recent times the popularity of peridot has grown steadily and is mined in several parts of the globe, though a large number of the finest peridots come from the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona. Available in various shades of light green, it is often used by some of the world's leading fashion designers.
September: Sapphire - precious - Classically known to be a deep azure, the sapphire actually comes in a number of colors, including light red. Symbolizing truth, honesty and faithfulness, blue sapphire has become an excellent alternate choice for an engagement ring or as a gift demonstrating love. Very dark sapphires and extremely pale sapphires are among the most affordable.
October: Opal, tourmaline - semi-precious - With over 100 different varieties and trade names used today to label opals, they all have one thing in common: their striking beauty. Opals with a lighter color are often called white opals, while rarer dark stones are classified as black opals. White or black, the value of an opal depends upon the vividness of called play of color. But there is a popular opal variety with little or no play of color called a fire opal, so named for their red to orange hue
November: Topaz - semi-precious - Available in many different colors and sizes - from blue to red to yellow to no color at all - topaz is today one of the world's most desirable and sought after gemstones thanks to its variety and economy. Revered for its beauty for over 2000 years, it is even known in Christendom as part of the foundation of the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem in scripture.
December: Turquoise - semi-precious - This pastel blue stone has long been prized for its beauty from cultures as diverse as ancient Egypt and ancient America to early Europe and China. It has been theorized that the Anasazi Indians of the American Southwest prospered because of their working of turquoise. It can be found all over the world. Despite being one of the oldest gems, turquoise did not become important as an ornamental stone in the West until the 14th century, and was unknown in Japan until the 1700s. And became a prized gemstone in the 19 th Century Europe and America once again thanks to its association with the native peoples of America's desert southwest.
