Gemstones

By modern definition, a gemstone is a mineral or other natural material that is beautiful enough, durable enough, and rare enough, to be used for personal adornment. Most gemstones are rather rare minerals. They are naturally occurring elements or compounds that have distinctive chemical composition or physical properties. Gemstones display the desirable attributes of beauty, rarity, and durability. Some gemstones are organic, or come from living substances; amber being fossilised tree resin; jet, a form of coal and the pearl which develops from the nacre of living molluscs.

Amethyst

This February birthstone is one the most popular gemstones today. Its radiant violet-purple color makes it one of the most desirable members of the quartz family.

The name is derived from the word amethustos, a Greek word that means not drunken. The legend behind this is that, one who drinks wine from the amethystine cup would not become drunk. Amethysts were traditional worn in the Russian and English crown jewels. The Roman Catholic Church extensively uses the stone today.

Amethyst's colour ranges from a light violet to a dark red-purple.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a light blue or blue green stone. Its name is derived from the Latin terms "aqua" meaning water, and "mar" meaning sea. Legends say that it is the treasure of mermaids, with the power to keep sailors safe at sea. Folklore says the aquamarine provides the wearer with foresight, courage, happiness, and increases intelligence. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety. Aquamarine was also claimed to have a positive influence on love and relationships. Aquamarine is the traditional birth stone for the month of March.

Diamond

Birthstone for April, it is some of the most sought after gemstone today. The only pure carbon element and is the hardest element known to man. Most of the mining today is found in South Africa.

Diamonds are colourless to a slightly yellow or brownish tint. The colourless diamonds are the most sought after. Fancy colors diamonds consists of pink, red, and blue. The rarest of all gemstones are red diamonds.

Diamonds are graded by carat weight, clarity, colour, and cut, otherwise known as the four C's.

Emerald

Emeralds are a very soft and are one of the most valuable of all the gemstones. This green version of the mineral beryl is primarily mined in Columbia. Emerald is one of the earliest known gems to man.
Birthstone for May, the emerald has come to represent the beauty and promise of spring.

Ancients dedicated the emerald to the Goddess Venus. They believed that the emerald would improve intelligence. They also believed that it was very beneficial to the eyes, Emperor Nero would watch gladiator shows through a fine emerald glasses. It was also considered to reveal faithfulness between lovers.

Garnet

Found mainly in India, this gemstone can be found in many Victorian pieces ranging in colour from brownish-red to deep red often surrounded by diamonds or pearls. This is the birthstone for the month of January.

Opal

Most opals are found in Australia and are very soft by comparison. Jewellery enthusiasts have sought after this fiery flash of multi-colour for many centuries. Opal is the birthstone for the month of October.

Queen Victoria of England wore this stone regularly in her court. She was captivated by the rainbow of colors in the stone.

Opal is formed from silica rather than a crystalline material. It is iridescent with a wide range of internal colors. No other gemstone can display all of the spectrum's colors in a variety of patterns, brilliance, and shades. For this reason, no two opals are identical. There are three groups of opals: white, black, and boulder.

Pearl

Birthstone for June, this organic gemstone is formed in the body of a mollusk and is composed of material called nacre. Pearls have been cherished for over 5,000 years. Japan is the leading producer of pearls today. The exquisite luster and iridescence sets them apart from other gems.

The Romans, Egyptians, and Persians all admired the pearl. Throughout history, it was not uncommon for royals to prohibit commoners to use pearls.

Peridot

This birthstone for August is often seen as a brilliant olive green. This gemstone is available from many different sources and is an attractive addition to any collection.

This gem has been mined on an island in the Red Sea since 1500 BC. The Ancients considered Peridot to be the gem of the sun. They believed that it would send evil spirits away, lessen one's thirst when placed underneath the tongue, and to drive out nighttime terrors when placed in gold.

Ruby

Ruby is the red version of the mineral corundum. Ruby is mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma.

The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. Ruby is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond. The colour can vary from a faint pink to deep red, more commonly known as pigeon's blood.

Ancients believed that one who possessed a ruby was granted wisdom, health, wealth, and love. Ruby was the stone of the Judah tribe, and placed upon Aaron's neck by the command of God.

Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and is also one of the world's most valuable gems.

Sapphire

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and a member of the corundum family. This is another very hard gemstone. The most sought after colour is the blue and is mined primarily in Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Sapphires are found in many colours. The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby.

Citrine

This birthstone for November is a member of the quartz family. It is mined in Brazil and is a beautiful addition to any collection. Ranging in color from light brown to a honey brown hue the hardness of this stone is very acceptable for everyday wear.

Citrine and Topaz are both accepted as the birthstone for November. Citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts in ancient times.

Blue Topaz

This less expensive alternate to aquamarine is one of the largest selling topazes in the market today. This very popular gemstone has a very hard surface and makes it the ideal stone for everyday wear.

Turquoise

Turquoise takes its characteristic blue tones from the copper present within the stone. The colour of turquoise can range from china blue through to dark blue greens and yellow green. Hardness and depth of colour are the two factors in determining the value of turquoise; while colour is a matter of individual taste, generally speaking, the most desirable is a strong sky to "robin's egg" blue. The mother rock or matrix in which turquoise is found can often be seen as splotches or a network of brown or black veins running through the stone; this veining may add value to the stone if the result is complementary.