Category Archives: Birthstones
Gemstones for every month
Birthstone of the Month: May
May’s birthstone is the lush, opulent emerald – one of the most recognizable gemstones.
Emerald comes from the old Latin name “Esmeralda” meaning “green gem.” Its mesmerizing, tranquil color was once believed to give foresight into the future and heal illnesses. By association of its color, it has come to represent the regenerative powers of nature, fertility, and abundance. Ancient civilizations – from the Egyptians to the Inca and Aztecs – sought after it as a prized symbol of wealth and power. Image: Gemological Institute of America
Emeralds, like their blue cousins aquamarines, are actually a kind of beryl, and get their vivid green color from the mineral chromium. They don’t have the sturdy crystal structure of the hardest gems like diamonds or sapphires, so they often have many small fissures that can grow over time. Most emerald jewelry is treated with specials oils or resins that protect the gem’s surface and enhance its luster. Protect your emeralds by storing them in a soft compartment and using gentle cleaning methods.
With emeralds, the more vibrant the color, and the clearer the stone, the more desirable it is. A fine emerald may cost more than a diamond of equal weight.
Fine emeralds are found all over the world, including the US. The highest concentration of gem-quality stones come from Colombia, where the largest emerald ever found was discovered. The famous Bahia emerald, mined in Brazil, has been nicknamed the “$400 Million Emerald”.
Jewelry Information Center: Emerald Birthstones
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Birthstone of the Month: April
What luck to have the diamond for a birthstone! The ultimate symbol of romance and luxury, it stands for brilliance, endurance, and eternal love.
Diamonds are the hardest substances known to man. On earth, they are formed in environments of extreme heat and pressure deep beneath the surface, and brought to the surface through volcanic activity. Diamonds are also created in the hearts of stars – in fact, the largest known diamond is 50 light years away in the 2,500 mile wide core of a white dwarf. That’s 10 billion trillion trillion carats!
The world’s diamond hotspots include South Africa, Australia, and Siberia. Murfreesboro State Park right here in Arkansas lays claim to the only diamond mine in the US.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but it was not until the development of cutting technology in the 16th century that they became popular in jewelry. For most of their history, fine diamonds were part of royal treasuries. In fact, many can trace their pedigrees back to larger stones once owned by kings and empresses.
These days, owning such a precious stone is within nearly everyone’s reach. Whether it’s an heirloom wedding ring or a show-stopping designer piece, diamonds are always in style. Colored diamonds – the result of fluctuations in mineral content or crystal structure – are rapidly growing in popularity.
Here at Faye’s we are proud of our reputation as diamond specialists. As an Antwerp Diamond Broker and a Forever 10 Dealer, helping our clients find the perfect hand-selected stone is our passion! Read more about the “4 C’s” of diamond buying or browse our inventory of fine diamonds.
Birthstone of the Month: March
The name aquamarine comes from the Latin “aqua” = water and “mare” = sea. Thanks to its sea-blue color, it’s also been called “The Sailor’s Stone.” Legend has cast it as a sacred gem of Poseidon, god of the sea, and a magical treasure found in the lair of mermaids.
Believed to have a pleasing, gentling effect, it was said to protect voyagers from tempests; to pacify the mind and give ease and fluency of speech; and to promote compassion and trust and bring good health.
Aquamarine has always been extremely popular, even though it is not particularly rare, and can still be found in many parts of the world. Its striking beauty has made it a favorite among royalty, jewelry connoisseurs, and modern designers alike. It was a favorite material among the gemstone carvers of ancient China (a tradition that is still carried on today).
Aquamarine is actually a kind of beryl, closely related to the emerald, and is often found with a strong green haze. Some aquamarines have an almost crystalline paleness, earning it the nickname “the poor man’s diamond” – though as a rule, the more intense the color, the higher the value. Most gemstone-grade aquamarines come from Brazil where the largest deposits are found. Other important sources are located in Africa, the Middle East, Russia, and the US. Aquamarines are very durable, but it is recommended to avoid cleaning methods that use heat or steam.
Image: Gemstones-Guide.com
It is said that anyone can wear an aquamarine well, because its gentle color is so easy to blend with a color palette. Aquamarine is currently one of fashion’s hottest trends and is an excellent match for a sparkling pastel style.
Read more about aquamarine and its companion birthstone for March, the bloodstone:
Birthstone of the Month: February
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, represents royalty, power, and vision. Its name has an unusual history rooted in Greek mythology, where it was believed to prevent intoxication – in fact the ancient Romans used wine cups made of amethyst, hoping it would keep them from getting tipsy! Ancients believed it would protect the wearer from poison, bad dreams, and confusion.
With purple being the color of kings, it has long symbolized nobility and divine power. Cleopatra wore a signet ring made from amethyst, and it was also the favorite gem of Catherine the Great.
Amethysts are actually a kind of quartz and come in many shades of purple. Important sources include Brazil, Russia, and the United States.
Their delicate color is unique – classy and feminine – and it’s a perfect match with sterling silver or platinum. Because it can fade over time, it is important to protect your amethyst jewelry from extreme heat and high moisture. You can buff your amethyst jewelry with a soft cloth periodically or have a jeweler use an ultrasonic treatment.
One final tip: Chlorine can do serious damage to an amethyst – so make sure to take it off and put it in a safe place when you go swimming.
Jewelry Information Center: Amethysts
Birthstone of the Month: January
January’s birthstone is the bold, stunning garnet. While it’s best known for its signature deep red color, the garnet comes in many different colors.
Its name comes from the Latin “granatum,” meaning seed, because of its similarity to the seeds of the pomegranate. 
Garnets were the most widely-used gemstone in Europe during the Bronze Age and the early Middle Ages. Many famous artifacts including jewelry, ornaments, and weapons made with beautiful garnet inlay have been found in ancient burials and in Anglo-Saxon treasure hoards. They were also very popular during the Victorian Era. Garnets come primarily from Africa, India, Russia & Eastern Europe, and South America.
Garnet has an especially luminous color and a high reflective power. According to legend, Noah steered the ark through the darkness with the light of a garnet lantern. This birthstone symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness; it is said to ensure its wearer victory and protection and has long been worn by travelers as a talisman on long journeys. It was also believed to promote the health of the heart – just like its namesake, the pomegranate.
Garnet jewelry is the perfect touch to add warmth and luster to the coldest month of the year. It requires no special care, but you can help it keep its brilliance by cleaning it gently with mild soapy water. It is a hard stone but can be damaged by extreme temperatures and acidic substances. Remember to store your garnet pieces where they will not be scratched by harder stones like diamonds and sapphires.
American Gem Society: Garnets
