September – Sapphire
Birthstone: September Hardness: 9 Sapphire has been sought after for thousands of years as the ultimate blue gemstone. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire that gave its blue reflection to the sky, hence the Latin name "sapphiru",...
August – Peridot
Birthstone: August Hardness: 6.5 Peridot, the gem form of the mineral olivine, traces its jewelry roots back more than 3,500 years. It was first mined by the ancient Egyptians on the island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Zebargad was known as the "serpent isle" because...
June – Cultured Pearl
Birthstone: June Pearls. . . the oldest known gemstone, treasured by the ancients as the most precious of gems. Throughout the ages pearls were so rare and coveted that only the wealthiest royals could own them. Today, thanks to the success of the culturing process in...
October – Opal
Birthstone: October Hardness: 5.5 Opal is one of nature's most prized gems. The stone was mined by eastern Europeans, the Aztecs and the ancient tribes of Central Africa. Opals have been featured in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor and the crown jewels of France....
January – Garnet
Birthstone: January Hardness: 6-7 Garnet is one of the most versatile stones on the market. It comes in a rainbow of colors, from deep red to tangerine orange to lime green to pale pink, as well as purple, gold and brown. Garnet is found all over the world, including...
December – Blue Topaz
Birthstone: December Hardness: 8 Blue topaz has become one of the most popular gemstones on the market today, due to its clarity, durability, availability and affordable cost. Yet it is a shade of topaz rarely found in nature. Topaz is one of the well-known pegmatite...