Perhaps the most difficult part of choosing a birthstone gift for someone celebrating a December birthday, is trying to decide which one you want to buy. December birthstones are zircon, Turquoise, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuli and blue topaz. It is all a matter of personal taste.

Each of the stones has it’s special qualities. The turquoise has become very valuable and is becoming rare. It is a very soft stone with a hardness of about 6.This makes this beautiful opaque stone very vulnerable to damage. It is also a porous stone and caution needs to be used if you are wearing a ring and are subject to putting your hands in water.

Turquoise truly leans towards elaborate necklaces and earrings. Often combined with other stones and crystals it is a startling site to find gracefully draped around your neck. On the other hand, there are mens belt buckles made in the southwest out of turquoise.

Originally brought to Europe from Turkey in the 16th century, it is now more commonly found in Iran and the United States. The southwestern region of the United States, New Mexico and Arizona, are known for their production of turquoise jewelry. The American Indians held it in great esteem as a religious symbol that was used during many ceremonies amidst their people.

While once mined vigorously, the turquoise mining has become a small mining operation, that uses no huge excavating tools. Often it is a seasonal mining job. There is a large amount that is also found in the large copper mines as a by product.

Another blue stone, the blue topaz, is also considered a modern birthstone for the month of December. It is a lot harder than the turquoise and has become very popular in jewelry for that reason. It can be combined with diamonds, crystal, zircon or other complimentary stones to give it a very luxurious look.

Birthstone jewelry of this stone is considered an eloquent symbol of fidelity and love. It also has been said that it will change the temperature of boiling water as well as calming tempers. Fortunately it is not said that it cools the feelings of love.

The stone of Humor, Wisdom and Prosperity is the zircon. It is available in blue, colorless or gold. It has been used over the years as a substitute for diamonds as it has been more affordable and yet still holds the luster. The latest fake diamonds, the cubic zirconia, has replace the zircon in many applications. The range of colors is very wide. Because it can be yellow, green, blue, red, brown, orange or colorless, it has been duping many as different gem stones.

The zircon is one of the bible stones. It exists in the breastplate of Aaron but not called zircon, rather it is ligure.

Although treated to enrich colors they can fade. Exposure to sunlight may be able to return it to it’s original color. The stone is hard, but brittle. Some caution needs to be used in it’s wearing.

As you begin your shopping for the perfect gift, don’t forget the beautiful birthstone dolls that are also available. Any of these December stones will make a great addition to a persons wardrobe for many years.

The modern birthstone for November is the beautiful topaz. Attributed to Scorpio, it too can make a distinct statement. The thought of a topaz brings to mind it’s lovely honey color. In nature, topaz comes in other colors as well. You can find red, violet, green or blue topaz. The blue topaz falls into a different month, but is still beautiful.

The topaz is ideal for use in jewelry due to it’s extreme hardness. It is one of the hardest stones available and is difficult to scratch or damage. Some scientists claim that the original topaz was found in the 1700’s in Germany. Today there are topaz mines in Pakistan, Russia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Africa.

Care needs to be taken when purchasing a topaz jewelry, as some disreputable vendors will substitute the less valuable citirine for the topaz. The citrine is the modern birthstone for November.

Topaz can be very large. A yellow topaz stone in the 31000 carat size was mined in Brazil.

Any jewelry that sports a honey colored topaz will be treasured for many years. They can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Most topaz are fairly common, but the rarer stones in pink or red are quite rare and revered. There price is also much higher than the honey colored stone.

Citrine can be used as either the traditional or modern November birthstone. It is a type of quartz that ranges in color from yellow to dark brown, with orange hues in between.

The majority of citrine is found in Brazil. However, the bulk of the Brizilian Citrine may be a heat treated version of the amethyst. Natural citrine is found in the Russian mountains, Madagascar, France and also in Dauphine. The lower grade topaz is heated to produce the brilliant reddish, sherry colored and orange stones.

Most of the citrines found naturally are a very pale yellow those of deeper hues are usually a heat treated stone and not a natural citrine. With heat, the amethyst turns to citrine. This heat can be natural or man-made.

Differences between Topaz and Citrine

The major difference between a true citrine and the yellow topaz is the presence of orange or brown hues which will darken the gem. Although not quite as hard as topaz, the citrine is still a hard stone. The Mohs scale puts its hardness at a 7.0.

Whatever the occasion, the topaz and citrine are beautiful gifts for any occasion. They fit well into any jewelry design and give a stunning presence.

It is amazing how one birthstone can have such a mythical history. Once revered, opal was defamed by a novel written by Sir Walter Scott in which the main character died immediately after moisture hit her opal.

The myths continue, with some saying that the only time it is unlucky is if you were not born in October and others saying as long as the opal is surrounded by other stones, such as diamonds, it is safe to wear, even if your birthday is not in October. We have not found any truth to these myths. It seems wonderful to wear.

Opal is a soft stone. It is very low in water content and therefore often cracks on the jewelers bench or if it is hit sharply, exposed to radical changes in temperature or neglected. Since the opal is non-porous, you cannot soak it in water, rub it with oil or any other moist substance and expect there to be any change. You should avoid ultrasound cleaning, as this can also crack the stone.

If you are wanting to wear opal jewelry frequently the best choices are pendants or earrings rather than bracelets or rings which are subject to harder hits than earrings. However you have them made or choose to give them, they are a wonderful gift that shows fidelity.

The opal is the only stone that contains all the colors of the other birthstones. It’s array of color is unsurpassed. Even the white, milky opal has color in it that can be seen under light.

Opals are found primarily in Australia, but can also be found in Mexico and the United States and Africa. The most prized opals are considered the white and black opals. The black opal is not all black. If it is, it is worthless. The black opal have beautiful lines of orange, white and some other colors when under an overhead light. The milky white opal also has an array of colors in it.

The opals found in Mexico are the fire opals. They are by far the most brilliant of all the opals. They appear almost translucent except for the bright array of rainbow colors. A beautiful stone to be sure.

The rose tourmaline is the alternative birthstone for October. It is a soft pink most of the time, but some can be found in darker more brilliant hues. That would be another option for those opal earrings or necklaces that you are considering. You would have both October birthstones in one magnificent piece of jewelry.

The October born person is a Libra. A well balanced easy going person. However if you het to close to the cusp of Scorpio, I wouldn’t want to make them angry.

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The September birthstone, both traditional and modern, is the beautiful, blue sapphire. The word sapphire comes from the Greek word for “blue stone”. It is in the corundum family of gemstones. It’s color can vary from the familiar blue. It is also found in pink. If it is seen in red, it is a ruby. The combination of titanium and chromium give the sapphire a color that is distinct from the red ruby.

Most sapphires are made into sapphire jewelry. Found in various rock formations and sediments is the natural way. They can also be manufactured for decorative purposes.

The sapphire is very hard. On occasion it is used in other areas other than ornamental, such as windows, electronics and watch crystals.

Blue is the best known color of sapphires, but they are formed in any color of corundum except the red. They can also be colorless or in various shades of black and gray.

Blue sapphires value is based on the purity of their color, carat weight and clarity. While blue is the most popular they can also be purple, violet and green as second hues. You may find a blue sapphire with hints of purple or green within the blue.

One of the largest quality blue sapphires, 423 carats, is housed in the National Museum of History in D.C. It is quite spectacular.

Sapphires and diamonds look beautiful together and make a perfect combination for engagement rings or anniversary gifts. Princess Diana had a sapphire and diamond engagement ring that was very eye catching.

There are also fancy colored sapphires. Yellow, green and pink are common. The deeper the pink, the higher the value. They also can be in shades of orange and brown. The pink-orange padparadsha sapphire draws a higher price than most of the others. They are found in Sri Lanka, Africa and Vietnam.

Star sapphires show a star phenomenon. That is known as an asterism. The star shape is most noticeable under a direct light. The largest of the star sapphires weighs 733 carats. It is called the “Black Star of Queensland”. The second largest is the famed “Star of India”, which is 563.4 carats.

Sapphires can be treated by several methods. The most common is by heating air to a temperature of at least 500 degrees C. and as high as 1800 degrees C. This will enhance the color of the stone and consequently increase its value. There are other methods but most are not heralded as heating and can cause a person to spend far more on the stone than it is worth.

Whatever your choice of sapphire, be it blue, pink, or one of the other beautiful colors, it will be a stunning addition to your wardrobe or your fiancees hand. A blue star sapphire on a gold or silver chain looks lovely around your neck and is sure to draw attention. Surrounded by diamonds will make the stone even more alluring. A very popular alternative to a plain diamond ring and always a pleasure to receive.

September is one of the few months that has the same stone as a modern day stone as well as the traditional choice.

Although often mistaken for an emerald, the peridot has beauty all its own. It’s beautiful green color and ability to catch and reflect light will keep this August birthstone in a favorite spot in your jewelry box.

Peridot jewelry is especially brilliant under low light or in the evening. It looks more like an emerald at those times.

It’s origins can be traced back to biblical times when it was mentioned in the book of Revelations. It is also rumored the the famed emerald collection of Cleopatra was a collection of peridots. She was enchanted with its sparkle and luster. During that time the peridot was also used to decorate the collection plates in churches.

As the national gem of Egypt, it is held in high regard. This may well be due to the stones ability to reflect light and give it all of its sparkle.

Peridots have been mined on St. John’s Island, which it is said was once inhabited by poisonous snakes.

The pharaohs had all of the snakes killed and transformed the island into a mining area. Today they are mined in Norway, the Hawaiian islands, Burma and the islands that border the Red Sea.

The peridot is not a hard stone. Care needs to be taken with the cleaning of the stone and storage. Also caution should be used if you are engaging in any physical activity that would damage its luster. You should also use caution with the exposure to direct sunlight, as the stone will fade.

Through the years the peridot has been more difficult to find. There is a huge, impressive display at the Smithsonian. In this day and time, you will not find many large carat size peridots. If you are fortunate enough to find one, prepare to pay a hefty price. However, when being made into a ring, pendant or other piece of jewelry, it can be surrounded or accompanied by other stones very nicely.

The Sardonyx is the alternate birthstone for the month of August. It is in the same family as the onyx and it is difficult to find details that would make it differ, except for the brilliant color. The sardonyx has red, white and/or black lines running through it and is quite a striking stone that can easily be made into many different types of jewelry.

The elegant rich red color of the ruby is the only birthstone dedicated to the month of July. It’s rich color is the color of love and power, which adds to its popularity. Those born during the month of July can claim this fiery red stone as their own. It is the only birthstone designated for the month of July.

From ancient times the magical powers of this brilliant stone has been fought after by many cultures. In India it was the lord of the gemstones. Those who are enthusiasts of birthstone history will tell you that it stands for goodness, respect, dignity and freedom.

The myths of those same ancient times say it can tell the future by the light that is emitted from it. If it darkens, prepare for evil. As it lightens, the evil has retreated.

Rubies are difficult to find due to the complexity of their nature. In the Mogok mine, which is located in Myanmar, some of the finest rubies are mined. The stones are attached to dolomite marble and is said to be 500 million years old. The ruby is not easy to come by. It is a close relative to the emerald which is even more rare.

The stones are found on the valley floor in Mogok. Legend has it that a Burmese king received word that thieves were finding beautiful stones on the floor of the valley. The king did not own the land, but with clever negotiations with the prince who did own it, was able to trade for a parcel of valueless land.

Also in the Burmese Hunza mine has contributed to the ruby finds. There they are clinging to the white dolomite marble. Other parts of the world that mine rubies are Kilimanjaro and North Vietnam. Thailand is the second biggest supplier. There they are closer to the surface and easier to find. The erosion of volcanoes are said to have produced the proper combinations for their development.

While most rubies appear similar on the outside, inside they can be very unique. The trace elements and inclusions are different depending on the area they are mined. It is rare to find a ruby that has no trace element or needle like crystals called rutile needles. The needles are firmed at the intersection of the many inclusions. Often the light that reflects from the stone will appear to be a star shape. There is only one way to identify genuine rubies from the man made. That is by looking into the stone to invesitgate the inclusions and the liquid drops that form them.

If a large ruby crystal is found, the elite oriental families get them and will stash them in their dynastic vaults.

Rubies are beautiful and as legend states, powerful. Often they are used in engagement rings that are accompanied or surrounded by diamonds. There are very few pieces of jewelry that one would not be proud to wear. They have a certain flare to their appearance that stands out among other stones. A ring that has a ruby surrounded by diamonds will probable draw attention not from the diamonds, but from the startling beauty of the ruby.

Emerald is the birthstone of the fifth month, May. Sapphire and agate joins emerald, however, as the Mystical and Ayurvedic May birthstones, respectively. As May overlaps two star signs, Taurus and Gemini, and as with each sign there are multiple gemstones, the category of May birthstones expands even further. Taurus’ birthstones are sapphire, turquoise, amber, emerald, and blood coral; its planetary stones emerald and aventurine; its lucky charms sapphire and diamond. Gemini’s birthstones, on the other hand, are agate, chrysoprase, and peal;its planetary stone tiger eye; its lucky charms agate and emerald.

Emerald being the modern birthstone for the month of May, it is the more frequently turned jewelry for that purpose. Its name can be traced to Semitic origin through the word “izmargad” or the Sanskrit word “marakata,” which means “green,” pertaining to the gem’s color which may range from medium to dark green. It has a hardness rating of 7.5 on the Mohs Scale, but is not very resistant to breakage especially if with inclusions or surface fissures. It is often irradiated and oiled, because of this, to achieve clarity (no naked eye-visible inclusions). To clean emerald jewelry a soft, dry cloth must be used, sudden temperature changes must be avoided as well as hot, soapy water, household chemicals, and home ultrasonic jewelry machines and cleaners.

Emerald is used for emotional and physical healing as it is believed it can strengthen and soothe both aspects of the human body. Energy healers associate emerald often with the heart chakra. Some believe that it helps increase one’s flexibility and understanding so they add the gem to wedding rings, aside from the basis that the emerald is a symbol of fidelity and goodness. See more interesting facts about emerald.

Sapphire is assumed to be blue unless a color is attached to its name; the gem comes in every color except red, which is ruby. Found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, India, Thailand, Nigeria, Brazil, Kenya, Malawi, among others, it is a durable gem, with a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs Scale, and is used occasionally as a diamond substitute.

Sapphire rings given in engagement express commitment and loyalty. The gem also represents sincerity, truth, and consistency; it is used by energy healers for clear thinking.
Kings used to wear sapphire-encrusted necklaces which they believe defended them against harm, the stones attracting divine favor and negating the wearer’s envy. Enjoy more fun sapphire facts.

Agate is an unusual stone, considered classy and earthy, but included as one of the May birthstones. Its common types include blue lace, moss, tree, and petrified wood. It is commonly turned into beads for pendants, necklaces or earrings. It has a hardness rating of 7.

Agate is believed to guard its wearer from danger, endowing him as well with boldness of heart which was the reason behind warriors using it on their armors to be victorious in battle. It is also said to ensure pleasant dreams and protect from nightmares, hence they are sometimes given to children. Moss agate is ideal for gardeners as it is believed to bond one with nature; tree agate is believed to help one with introspection.

Diamonds are the widely accepted birthstone of the month of April. Aside from diamonds, however, there are other April birthstones. Opal is the Mystical birthstone. April overlaps two zodiac signs, Aries and Taurus. The birthstones of Aries are bloodstone and diamond, jasper is its planetary stone, and all three are considered its lucky charms; the birthstones of Taurus, on the other hand, are sapphire, turquoise, amber, and blood coral, its planetary stones are emerald and aventurine, and its lucky charms are sapphire and diamond.

Diamonds most commonly mined in Africa (such as Ghana and Zaire), Australia, Brazil, and USSR. They are often colorless, but can come in other colors as well. The diamond, also known as the King Gem (the pearl being the Queen Gem), symbolizes purity and eternal love and faith, pertaining to its durability. It is considered by others as an emblem of invincibility and courage. It is believed among the Hindus that a diamond with flaws such as specks is bad luck.

The diamond takes its name from ancient Greek, essentially meaning “unalterable” or “unbreakable.” Due to its hardness—a 10 according to the Mohs Scale—it is considered perfect for everyday wear, immune to scratching and mild blows. Equally good characteristics are its beauty and rarity, making it a very glamorous jewelry gift, especially as engagement and wedding rings for couples. Though it is durable, it still can chip with sharp impact because of their innate brittleness, so it must still be handled with care. It also must be stored separately from other jewelry as it can scratch them and other diamonds as well.

Another one of the April birthstones is opal. Mostly coming from Southern Australia with its black kind coming exclusively from the Australia itself, opal is considered to be very old, even dating back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs still existed. It comes in many colors and its highest quality is considered more expensive than a diamond. Its name being derived from the Latin “opalus,” meaning “seeing jewel,” in addition to being able to heal, it is believed to increase mental capacities such as one’s creative imagination and other unexplored, unused mental powers in addition. Black opal is said to be extremely lucky.

Opal’s hardness is 6 to 6.5. Caring for opal jewelry entails avoiding getting it wet, scratched or exposed to heat. They are said to radiate hope, happiness and truth and along with other April birthstones, when turned into rings, they are considered special as they are believed to bestow upon the wearer the virtues of the gem.

March birthstones consist of a number of gems. Aquamarine is the modern choice, bloodstone the traditional, and jade the Mystical. In terms of astrology, the month of March overlaps two zodiac signs: Pisces and Aries. Pisces’s birthstones are amethyst, sapphire, rock crystal, and bloodstone; its planetary stone is aquamarine; and its lucky charm is amethyst. Aries’ birthstones, on the other hand, are bloodstone and diamond; its planetary stone is jasper; and all three stones are considered its lucky charms.

Aquamarine can be found in Brazil, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Russia and the United States, especially in Colorado. It is usually made to undergo irradiation and heat treatment. Its color ranges from light blue to blue green and dark blue, depending on the amount of iron in the compound. With a hardness of 7.5 according to the Mohs Scale, its quality depends more on its transparency; the more transparent, the higher the quality (and also the more sparkle). Aquamarine rings are extremely popular nowadays and their usage as engagement rings is also on the rise among those of the younger generation. Aquamarine jewelry must be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a brush with soft bristles; home ultrasonic machines must not be used in doing so. The gems must be protected from scratches and blows and direct and prolonged exposure to the sun as the latter will cause the color to fade.

Because of the red spots from iron oxide deposits which is the reason for its being so-called, bloodstone is aptly associated in gemstone lore with blood, e.g. as the blood of Christ, making early Christians deem it a sacred stone; as filled with healing properties for bleeding and blood-related disorders. Also called heliotrope, it is often used in men’s jewelry as pendants and bead necklaces. The polish of the stone is generally removed if gotten wet. Bloodstone can be found in Australia, China, India, Brazil, and the United States, particularly Wyoming.

Jade is often turned into jewelry by carving the stone itself into pendants, earrings, bangles, bracelets, and even statues. It has two types: jadeite, which is the rarer one, found in Japan, Myanmar, and the United States, particularly California and Alaska, its highest quality known as the Imperial Jade; and nephrite, which is commonly used in Chinese carvings. Jade is believed to help achieve relaxation and gain visions of necessary tasks as well as the strength to do them. It is also believed to be the very essence of love in its concentrated form; some believe that a secret virtue of it is imbibed by the body when physical contact is made.

According to gemstone lore, any of the March birthstones when worn as a ring supposedly will allow the bearer to gaze at the gem and obtain its mystical powers (e.g. understanding and happiness from aquamarine). Of the March birthstones, aquamarine is the popular choice, believed to symbolize happiness and understanding. Bloodstone is a common pick because of its affordability more than anything else, while jade is a favorite among a handful of Asian cultures.

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