Birthstones are said to possess “magical” qualities, bring good fortune, and have the ability to bestow the wearer with certain attributes. For each month of the year there is a corresponding gemstone. Where the concept of birthstones originated is somewhat of a mystery. In in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, there is a description of the Jewish High Priest, Aaron's breastplate. Set with gems in four rows of three, each stone having the name of the twelve tribes of Israel, as cited in the book of Exodus. Subsequently, the association with the number twelve became of great significance as, the twelve sons of Jacob were the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel; Jesus had twelve apostles; there were twelve foundation stones of the Holy City; twelve months of the year; and twelve signs of the zodiac. In the eighth and ninth centuries, the interpreters of the Holy book began to ascribe attributes of the twelve apostles to each of those stones. Even today birthstones in association with months of the year, are said to tell a persons personality, fortune and even protect them from harm. With respect to the wonderful and intriguing world of birthstones jewelry accessories presents our very own "Your Birthstone" category.
January Birthstone
Garnet
There are different kinds of garnets such as Pyrope, Spessartine, Almandine, Uvarovite, Andradite, Hessonite (Glossular Garnet) and Pink (Glossular Garnet).
Pyrope: Is a blood red color garnet
May Birthstone
Emerald
The word emerald derives from the Greek word smaragdos, meaning "greenstone." Emerald is a member of the Beryl family which consists of the Beryl, Aquamarine, Morganite, Heliodor and Goshenite; emerald being the most precious stone of this group.
September Birthstone
Sapphire
Sapphire is believed to be the most beautiful of all gemstones if not the most valuable. Sapphire is a precious gemstone that is a variety of transparent corundum of any color except red, which is a ruby.
February Birthstone
Amethyst
Quartz is a large family consisting of two categories: crystalline and cryptocrystalline. Amethysts are crystalline quartz together with citrine, smoky quartz or cairngorm and rock crystal. Amethyst is the most highly valued stone in the quartz group.
June Birthstone
Pearl
Pearls are formed by saltwater oysters (genus Pinctada), some freshwater mussels (Unio), and also rarely by other shellfish. They are formed as a result of an irritant or foreign body that has intruded between the shell of the mollusk and the mantle
October Birthstone
Opal
Opal is a gemstone that is usually recognized by its varied and occasionally flashing mixture of prismatic colors when hit by light; the more rich and outstanding the colors the more valuable the stone. Opal does not have a crystalline form but is amorphous, gelatinous, hydrous silica containing in some cases up to 20% of water.
March Birthstone
Aquamarine
The word aquamarine derives from the Latin word meaning "water of the sea." Dark blue is the aquamarine’s most desired color. Aquamarine is a member of the Beryl family, along with the emerald. Aquamarines are often found in large water-clear crystals.
July Birthstone
Ruby
Ruby's name comes from the Latin rubeus meaning "red." It is a variety of the mineral species known as corundum and is the second hardest natural mineral (9) known to mankind, making it a superb jewelry stone. Ruby shows pleochroism which means that the color varies with the direction of viewing.
November Birthstone
Citrine
Citrine is the yellow or golden yellow variety of quartz. Citrine's yellow coloration is due to the presence of iron. The word citrine derives from the word citrus due to its lemon yellow color. Natural citrine is rare and is usually a pale yellow.
April Birthstone
Diamond
The word diamond refers to its hardness (Greek – adamas, the unconquerable). Diamond is the hardest and most durable mineral on Earth. Diamond forms at high temperatures and pressures 50 miles (80 km) or more underground and is
August Birthstone
Peridot
Peridot is also called chrysolite or olivine. Its name might derive from the Arabic word faridat (meaning gem). The name chrysolite derives from the Greek word goldstone, and was formerly applied to all green colored green stones.
December Birthstone
Topaz
The name topaz is probably derived from an island in the Red Sea, today known as Zabargad formerly Topazos. It is also believed that the word "topaz" is derived from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning "fire." Topaz is found in a variety of colors and is often heat-treated and/or irradiated to give different hues.
