January
Garnet
You may know garnets to be a deep red color with hints of orange and brown called Mozambique Garnet. Garnets can also be found in a fresh raspberry color known as Rhodole Garnet, a bright cheery orange color called Spessarite Garnet, and a rare green color from light spring green to vivid emerald green called the Tsavorite Garnet.
February
Amethyst
The color of royalty from deep, rich velvety purple to pale lavender. Lighter shades of purple add softness to a spring and summer wardrobe, while deeper shades add vibrance to fall and winter apparel.
March
Aquamarine
The name means “Ocean Water.” These glittering watery gems range in color from intense deep blue to lighter shades of sky blue. Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, as are emeralds.
April
Diamond
The symbol of love and devotion. Fine diamonds are the most coveted of all gems. Did you know that not all diamonds are white? They are also found in yellow, brown, blue, pink, and red. If you’d like to learn more about buying diamonds, but sure to read our section on the Four Cs.
May
Emerald
A member of the beryl family, the color of nature itself. While clear, natural emeralds are available, they are also quite rare. Their incomparable dark green color is produced only under extremely rare conditions. Because these conditions also result in tiny cracks and cavities in the stone, inclusions are seen in even top quality emeralds.
June
Pearl
A gift from the sea treasured for their rare beauty. Pearls offer glamorous sophistication and timeless elegance. Both freshwater and saltwater pearls are found naturally but are primarily cultured and range with overtones from pale cream to pinkish white, champagne and silver gray.
Alexandrite
If you are lucky enough to have a June birthday, you also get an alternative birth stone, Alexandrite with a unique color changing ability. Depending on the light source the color will swing from a raspberry plum to bluish-green. Though natural alexandrite is quite expensive, created alexandrite is just as beautiful and more cost effective.
July
Ruby
Fire-red or blood-red. One of the world’s rarest gemstones, and the rarest member of the corundum family. Sapphire is also a member of the corundum family.
August
Peridot
The color of green apples. Ranging in color from light yellow green to the intense bright green of new grass. Peridot is found, among other places, in meteorites.
September
Sapphire
Available in every color of the rainbow, orange-yellow, green, blue, pink, violet, colorless and even black. Sapphires are a member of the corundum family, as are rubies. In fact, the most rare color of corundum gets its bright red color from iron and is called Ruby.
October
Opal
Known for its play-of-color with all of the colors of the rainbow in one gemstone. In addition to the more commonly known white opals there are also black opals, boulder opals both with a deep blue base color and Mexican fire opals that are a vivid orange transparent gemstone.
Pink Tourmaline
One of the months with more than one birthstone. Pink tourmaline ranges in color from bubble gum pink to rich crimson. Though pink tourmaline is the October birth stone color, tourmaline is found in a variety of colors including green and blue.
November
Precious Topaz
The mesmerizing hues of precious topaz range from pale amber gold to cognac. Its warm golden hues are touched with peach overtones. Though it is the traditional birthstone for November, it is much more rare and expensive than the alternative Citrine.
Citrine
French for “lemon”, Citrine is found in colors ranging from rich mellow gold to bright sunny yellow. This cheerful gemstone is from the quartz family, along with amethyst.
December
Blue Zircon
This beautiful aqua blue gemstone exhibits exceptional brilliance second only to diamond due to its unique ability to split light into two rays as it passes through the stone.
Blue Topaz
Although it starts out colorless, blue topaz is irradiated, producing pretty blue shades such as light sky, bright Swiss and teal London blue.
Tanzanite
Exotic blue-violet Tanzanite, mined only in Tanzania. But how did it get those captivating shades? Tanzanite actually starts out brown, but is heated to bring out its blue and violet shades. Although bluer shades are more valuable, both violet and blue are absolutely stunning. A relatively new gem, Tanzanite made an appearance in jewelry less than half a century ago.
