January - Garnet |
 | Found mainly in India, this gemstone ranges in color from brownish-red to deep red. The garnets we use are a deep red.
Garnet and feldspar are the two groups in the gem world. Garnets differ extensively in chemical composition from each other. Six mineral varieties include: pyrope, almandine, grossular, spessartine, uvarovite, and andradite. There are many names for garnets, such as: Hessonite, Rhodolite, Tsavorite, Mozambique, Malaya, Anthill, Mandarin, Demantoid, Leuco, Hydrogrossular, Thai, Topazolite, and Melanite. The Almandite garnet is the most widely known. |
February - Amethyst |
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The radiate violet-purple color of the Amethyst 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 color ranges from a light violet to a dark red-purple. We use the darker colored amethyst.
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March - Aquamarine |
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The ideal color of aquamarine is a refreshing sea blue. It is a member of the important beryl family, which also includes emerald. In ancient times, the stone was said to aid seafarers. Aquamarine is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria and Zambia.
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April - Diamond |
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Diamonds are 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 colorless to a slightly yellow or brownish tint. The colorless 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, color, and cut, otherwise known as the four C's. |
May - Emerald |
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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. |
June - Pearl or Alexandrite |
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The pearl is an organic gemstone 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. |
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Alexandrite was named after the Russian Czar, Alexander II. Alexandrite is most noted for its color changing from shades of green in daylight to shades of red in incandescent light. |
July - Ruby |
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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 color 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 also the stone for ones born under the Capricorn sign, December 21-January 19, and for those born on Tuesday, or in the summer. Nearly anyone could wear a ruby for a legendary significance. Ruby is one of the world's most valuable gems. |
August - Peridot |
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Peridots are 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. |
September - Sapphire |
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Sapphire is a member of the corundum family. This is another very hard gemstone. The most sought after color is the blue and is mined primarily in Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Sapphires are found in many colors. The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. Our sapphires are a dark blue. |
October - Opal or Tourmaline |
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Most opals are found in Australia and are very soft by comparison. Jewelry enthusiasts have sought after this fiery flash of multi-color for many centuries.
Queen Victoria of England wore this stone regularly in her court. The rainbow of colors in the stone captivated her.
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. The opals we use are from the white group. |
| The green tourmaline has a beautiful green color ranging from light to very dark in appearance. Tourmaline comes in every color and is known for their hardness and durability. The United States national gemstone is tourmaline.
Tourmaline is one of the most chemically complex gem materials. It is a very wearable stone that is brilliant and durable. |
November - Citrine |
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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 was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts in ancient times. |
December - Blue Topaz |
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The Blue Topaz 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.
Blue topaz's color ranges from a sky blue to a Swiss blue to the darkest, a London blue. The color of the stone will always be a distinct blue to a bluish gray.
Topaz can occur naturally in many different colors, orange, blue, brown, green, beige, red, and pink. Colorless topaz can be treated by irradiation and heated to produce the different shades of blue, in which the blue topaz is formed.
We use the swiss blue topaz. London blue is available upon request when ordering.
The blue topaz is also the official state gem of Texas. |
