Guide to Birthstones

Birthstones are commonly associated with good luck or wealth. If you're searching for supreme quality jewelry, you might want to consider selecting a piece that matches the birthstone of your or a loved one's birth month. There are many different stones and gemstones associated with certain months, depending on the tradition from which they come. But according to the American Gemological Society, these are the birthstones for each month of the year:

• January: Garnet. Garnets are a deep red color. The name garnet is derived from "granatum," which means seed. Garnets got the name because the color resembles a pomegranate seed. They symbolize friendship. Most garnets come from Africa, Sri Lanka or India.
• February: Amethyst. A beautiful purple stone, amethysts are said to keep their wearer clear-headed and fast thinking. Amethyst is purple quartz and has historically been associated with many myths and legends. Brazil is the leading provider of amethyst.
• March: Aquamarine. Displaying an icy blue hue, aquamarine got its name from, literally, the sea. Historically, this gemstone protected sailors and other people who worked on the ocean. Those who wear aquamarine are said to have a level head and soothing demeanor. They are mainly mined in Brazil, but can be found in other countries including Nigeria and Pakistan.
• April: Diamond. Those born in April lucked out, let's face it. But many people do not realize that diamonds come in a variety of colors. In fact, some of the most valuable diamonds are in so-called "fancy colors" such as pink or yellow.
• May: Emerald. Symbolizing rebirth, emerald was believed to give its wearer youth and foresight. Its name comes from the Greek for green. Most of today's emeralds come from Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia and Zambia.
• June: Pearl or Alexandrite. There are two common birthstones for June. Pearls are the only gems that come from living sea creatures and require no work such as polishing and faceting to reveal their character. The alexandrite is like a chameleon and changes color from green to a purplish red. They were first discovered in 19th century Russia.
• July: Ruby. Said to provide success with money and love, rubies signify love. It is the hardest of any gemstone - next to a diamond - so it is extremely strong and durable. The most desirable rubies are medium to dark red, or red with a slightly purple tint.
• August: Peridot. By legend able to provide power and influence, the peridot is a gemstone that resides deep within the earth and is brought to the surface through volcanoes. Most peridot comes from Arizona today, although it also is found in China and Pakistan.
• September: Sapphire. According to folk tales, sapphires will protect their owners from harm. While we commonly think of sapphires as blue, they also come in a variety of colors including yellow, green or pink.
• October: Tourmaline or opal. Loved for its variety of colors, tourmalines can be found in many shades - often called bi- or tri-colored gems. They are found in Afghanistan and Brazil. Opals are also quite colorful, ranging in color from milky white to black. Opals that have deep contrast in color between its background and its main color play are considered the most desirable.
• November: Topaz and citrine. All yellow gemstones in the antiquity period were called topaz. Today, topaz is sometimes confused with types of quartz. It comes in a variety of colors including orange, yellow, pink, purple and blue. Citrine is known as the "healing quartz" because it is said to provide warmth and health to its owner. It is commonly found in Bolivia, Brazil and Spain.
• December: Tanzanite and turquoise: Found only in Tanzania, tanzanite features a beautiful blue hue. They are often considered a less-expensive alternative to a sapphire. Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones in the world. Its shades range from greenish-blue to sky blue, and it is commonly used in American Southwest jewelry design.