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January
- Garnet
The one shown is a synthetic variety,
a brighter firey red. Many garnets are a deeper color, almost brownish
or maroon, although garnets can occur in colors ranging from orange to
yellow to green. Garnet was once said to cure melancholy and to warm
the heart. Natural red stones are not very common. However, I do
have several natural garnets available to mount into pendants, rings or
earrings. Other red stones are available here.
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February
- Amethyst
A rich purple hued stone and very
popular. Amethyst is actually a crystalline quartz. It was traditionally
worn to instill a sober and serious mind. I have several nice pieces
in amethyst here.
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March
- Aquamarine
In the 19th century the preferred
color for aquamarrine was sea green, and the name itself means seawater.
Most aquamarines appear to be very pale blue to colorless and are heat
treated to enhance their color. Due to the relative rareity and cost of
aquamarine, blue topaz
has become a popular alternative.
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April
- Diamond
Diamonds are the hardest mineral
on Earth. Combined with its exceptional luster and brilliant fire
has made it the most highy prized of all gems. With emerging technologies,
man-man diamonds (Cubic Zircons and Moissonite) have won a market share
due to their very nice sparkle. I have some very nice CZs to look at here.
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May -
Emerald
Emerald (beryl) derives its beautiful
green color from the presence of chromium and vanadium. They are
rarely flawless. Most emerals used in historical jewelry were from Cleopatra's
mines in Egypt. Natural emeralds are out of my price range, but I do have
several some beautiful greens.
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June -
Alexandrite (or Pearls)
A very rare and valuable form of
chrysoberyl that changes colors in natural to incandescent light.
Due to its rareity, almost all alexandrites are synthetic. I have
several synthetic alexandrites
available. I also have serval varieties of pearls -- see links at
left.
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July -
Ruby
Red, gem-quality corrundum is usally
more of a pin color than deep red. Second in hardness only to diamond.
Again, red gems are relatively uncommon. All the rubies I use are
synthetic. Please see the other red
jewelry I have.
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August
- Peridot
Gem-quality specimens of the mineral
olivine - it has an olive or bottle green color often used in religious
jewelry. It's one of my favorite gems -- please see peridot.
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September
- Sapphire
All gem-quality corundum that is
not red (ruby) is called sapphire, and this name is popularly associated
with the color blue. Some Sapphires with inclusions create a 6-rayed
star. Due to their price, all Sapphires that are used in our jewelry
are synthetic.
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October - Rose Zircon
(or Opal)
Famous for its colorless stones,
which closely resemble diamonds. It was believed to provide the wearer
with wisdom, honor, and riches. Opal
is a hardened silica gel, usually containig 5 to 10% water, therefore caution
should be exercised when cleaning opal. The flashes of color (iridescence)
are caused by the way the regular arrangement of tiny silic spheres deffract
light. The varieties of colors are endless. I have a variety
of pink stones available
as well as opals.
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November
- Topaz
The name "topaz" is thought to
be derived from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. It
occures in a range of colors. Frequently yellow citrine
or smoky quartz are
substituted as they closely resemble yellow topaz.
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December
- Blue Zircon (or Turquoise)
Zircon is famous for its colorless
stones, which closely resemble diamonds. They were believed to provide
the wearer with wisdom, honor, and riches. Blue
Topaz is often substituted. Tourquoise is the ancient birthstone
for December and was one of the first gemstoned to be mined. In the past
it has been thought to warn the wearer of danger or illness by changing
color. The mineral is hydrated copper aluminum phosphate and some
can be very porous, leading to fading and cracking. Care should be
taken when cleaning jewelry containing turquoise. |
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