Birthstones | Gemcor

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Birthstones 101

		January Garnet There are several different Garnet gemstones, but the one associated with January is the Mozambique garnet, which glows a deep red with hints of orange and brown. The major source of this gemstone is Africa.

		February Amethyst Amethyst is called the “purple passion,” from refreshing lilac to ripe plum in color. Perhaps because of its depth and richness, Amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion. The major sources of this stone are Africa and South America.

		March Aquamarine The name Aquamarine means “ocean water” and tales of Aquamarine date back to ancient seafaring days. This is one of the most popular gemstones with colors ranging from intense deep blue to lighter shades of sky and water. Major sources include South America, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Russia, Africa and China. Bloodstone Bloodstone is green jasper touched with iron oxide. It offers a complex, masculine appeal. The bright red spots which distinguish fine specimens give rise to the stone’s name. Major sources include Australia and Brazil.

		April Diamonds Diamonds are the most classic of all jewels. Their unmatched beauty and elegance make them ideal for marking life’s most important occasions. Diamonds are one of the rarest minerals on the planet, taking Billions of years to make it to Earth’s surface. Major sources include Botswana, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Namibia, Zaire, Brazil and China.

		May Emeralds More valuable than even diamonds, fine-quality Emeralds of significant size are among the world’s most intriguing jewels. Their beautiful green color is produced under rare conditions that also may result in tiny cracks and cavities in the stone; inclusions are allowed in top-quality Emeralds. Ancient history records Emerald mines near the Red Sea called “Cleopatra’s Mines” and the Incas and Aztecs of South America once worshipped Emerald as a holy stone. Major sources include Afghanistan, Columbia, Zambia, and Brazil. Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan and Russia.

		June Pearls Pearls have been an object of desire from the first days of human society. Throughout Asia and the Mediterranean, Pearls were treasured not only for their rare beauty but as symbols of harmony, purity and wisdom. Born from the Pinctada fucata martensii oyster, Akoya Pearls are what most people imagine when thinking of a pearl. Akoya Pearls are from China and Japan, while Tahitian Pearls are from French Polynesia (marketed through Tahiti) and the South Sea Pearl is from Australia. Moonstone Sensuous and intriguing, Moonstone seems to glow with the light of the moon itself. Its milky translucence changes with every movement. Major sources include Sri Lanka, India, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, US and Mexico. Alexandrite Night and day, the changing hues of the Alexandrite enchant the eye and fuel the imagination. Its color swings from raspberry to plum to bluish-green make it the most popular of all color-changing stones. It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830 and now the major sources are Brazil, Russia, Madagascar and Sri Lanka

		July Ruby The “king of gems” Ruby is one the world’s oldest and most revered gemstone. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gem’s startling color. The major sources include Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tanzania and Madagascar.

		August Peridot The green apple color of the Peridot invigorates and delights the senses. Peridot is treasured by the Hawaiian peoples who believed the gem used to be the tears of the Goddess Pele. It is also believed to help dreams become reality and to drive away the evil spirits of the night. Most Peridot comes from Arizona’s San Carlos Reservation but it is also found in China, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar, Kenya, Mexico, Sri Lanka and US.

		September Sapphire Although Sapphire comes in several colors, Blue Sapphire is associated with the month of September. Ranging from the deepest midnight to brilliant cornflower blue. They have long been prized for their intense, velvety color. Major sources are Australia, Cambodia, East Africa, Kashmir, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Tanzania, US and Madagascar.

		October Opal With its pulsating display of fire and color, Opal was long thought to hold magical powers. For this reason, rare Opals were reserved for royalty. The changeable color and flashing fire seen in Opals are symbolic of love, life, hope and truth. Found in Australia. Pink Tourmaline Pink Tourmaline expresses timeless feminine charm with a decidedly modern edge. It comes in many hues, ranging from bubblegum pink to rich crimson. Major sources include Brazil, Afghanistan, Myanmar, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, US and China.

		November Topaz Precious Topaz ranges in color from pale amber to a glowing brown. It has warm golden hues with peach overtones. Topaz was revered by thy Egyptians and Romans who associated it with the setting sun. The gemstone’s transparency and brilliance is so remarkable that famous examples have been confused with diamonds. Precious Topaz is found in Brazil. Citrine A golden quartz whose name comes from the French word for “lemon”. Citrine ranges from slightly golden yellow to medium gold showing hints of orange. Major sources are Brazil and Bolivia.

		December Turquoise Turquoise seems to blend the clear blue of the sky with the green of the ocean’s depths. Many cultures around the world have revered Turquoise as a holy stone. Major sources include US, Australia, Chile, China and Mexico. Blue Zircon The aqua-blue brightness of Zircon, often tinged with shimmering teal can sometimes be mistaken for a far more expensive blue diamond. Blue Zircon is found in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Thailand, China and Vietnam. Tanzanite The first thing you notice about a Tanzanite is its dual color, brilliant blue with hints of purple. Tanzanite’s rarity and exotic origin are part of its fascination. In fact, this gemstone was unknown until 1967 and its discovery caused a worldwide sensation. To date, the world’s only source for the gem remains the hills of northern Tanzania.