Named for the small red seeds of the pomegranate fruit, garnet has a rich history extending back thousands of years. Rumored to have been used as a lantern by Noah to navigate the ark through night time waters, garnet has ancient connections with the planets Mars, Mercury, and Pluto.
Translating to “not intoxicated,” amethyst is symbolic of clarity, cool-headedness and wisdom. According to mythology, amethyst – a variety of quartz – was stained violet through the tears of wine from the Greek god of intoxication, Dionysus.
A symbol of fidelity, Aquamarine is the birthstone of March, representing the infinite sky and the endless sea. Aquamarine’s blues promotes feelings of trust, mutuality, friendship, and harmony, and is a popular gift between romantic partners.
Those fortunate enough to be born in April share the benefit of having the beautiful diamond as their birthstone. Diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning unbreakable, because of its incredible hardness.
One of the most sought-after and highly valued gemstones, emerald is the birthstone of May. As the green variety of beryl, emerald gains its stunning color from trace amounts of chromium embedded in its crystals.
Pearls are the birthstone of June. Formed inside a living organism, pearls possess a life-energy unique in the world of gemstones. Pearl’s iridescent, milky color often led to its association with the power of the moon.
Ruby, with its deep red fire, is the birthstone of July. One of the most sought-after pieces in history, ruby is the ubiquitous symbol of value and treasure. Gracing pharaohs, kings, and emperors for millennia, ruby is one of the four precious stones, along with emerald, sapphire, and diamond.
The birthstone of August, peridot’s mellow green glow earned it the nickname Evening Emerald. Prized for not only its stunning appearance, peridot was also thought to relieve sickness and bring good fortune on its wearer.
The traditional birthstone for September, sapphire is a member of the corundum family. The most popular hue of this versatile gem is a brilliant blue, which was once believed to have given color to the sky.
The traditional birthstone for October is tourmaline, one of the most colorful gems. Ancient Egyptians thought that tourmaline, on its long journey up from the earth’s core, crossed through rainbow and gained all its extraordinary colors. While this may be somewhat inaccurate scientifically, it’s a tempting explanation to why this gem comes in so many stunning varieties and hues.
Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. One of the most historically-cited gemstones, topaz can come in a variety of colors including blue, orange, yellow, red, pink, blue, and clear. While blue topaz is the most popular, the golden-yellow imperial topaz is rare and remains the most sought after variety.
Turquoise is the birthstone for December, and its famous sky-blue of turquoise is one of the oldest and most popular gemstone varieties in the world. Mined for thousands of years, turquoise have been prized by civilizations from all corners of the globe, including the ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, North American Indians, and others.
