APRIL BIRTHSTONE

The birthstone for April is the most prized gemstone of them all, the diamond.

Diamaonds are traditionally associated with strength and resilience, purity and clarity, and eternal love. They are the hardest material on earth.

Diamonds come in a range of colors with clear being associated with the April Birthstone. Other colors include brown, yellow, red, pink, blue, green. The more vivid colors the more valuable the gem is. Because colored diamonds are desirable, and colored gems can be created in the lab. These would be called color treated diamonds would be those diamonds whose colors is created in the laboratory.

MARCH BIRTHSTONE: AQUAMARINE AND BLOOD STONEc4

For those lucky enough to have a birthday in March you have 2 stones to choose from, aquamarine and/or bloodstone. And both are beautiful!

An overview of both stones can be found by clicking this link. https://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones/march-birthstones/

DECEMBER BIRTH STONE

Those with December birthdays have 3 lush stones to choose from; turquoise, tanzanite and zircon.These are all such beautiful gems, turquoise and zircon being my personal favorites.

For more information on all these gorgeous gems, click on the link below:

https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/december-birthstones#:~:text=Turquoise%2C%20tanzanite%20and%20zircon%20–%20you,birthstone%20that%20reflects%20your%20personality.

PS. I just purchased a piece of Hubie turquoise, similar in pattern to the stone on the far left. I can’t wait to work with it in the near future!

JANUARY BIRTHSTONE, GARNET

Garnet, the birthstone for January is often associated with a burgundy color. However this semi-precious gem stone can range from red, green and orange.

“Some garnet can display star effect, cat’s-eye effect or color change from bluish-gree in light to purplish-red in incandescent light. An interesting fact is the a perfect garnet crystal has been found as an inclusion in a natural diamond.” Sally Spencer The Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones.

Garnet can be found growing in mica. Recently I was rock hunting on the North Shore here on Long Island. I found what I suspect was a very tiny garnet growing in a glacial boulder. It was a thrilling!