Symbolizes courage and is the birthstone for March. These blue beryl gems have a vitreous luster and occur as the ore of beryllium. Historically the name aquamarine comes from the highly prized sea green form of the stone and it appears to be two different colors when viewed from different angles.
Symbolizes constancy and is the birthstone for January. Garnet is a gem of vitreous or resinous luster exhibiting all colors except blue. Some varieties exhibit considerable brilliance.
Symbolizes sincerity and is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is a valued purple gemstone form of quartz that was once believed to have magical properties. The amethyst has the characteristic ability to doubly refract light which enhances its beauty.
Symbolizes hope and is the gemstone for October. Opal is a gemstone with a brilliant play of colors due to reflection and refraction of light thru its thin layers of hydrated silica stalactites. Revered by the ancient Romans as a symbol of good fortune.
Symbolizes happiness and is the birthstone for August. Onyx is a gem that was highly valued by the Romans and other ancient peoples. Onyx exhibits dispersions of greens, blues and browns not unlike marble.
Symbolizes harmony and is the birthstone for December. Turquoise is a valued gemstone of hydrated aluminum phosphate containing a little copper. Turquoise colors vary from blue to green. The best stones are blue and its name is a variant of Turkey because early stones came from Persia by way of Turkey.
Symbolizes fidelity and is the birthstone for November. Topaz is valued as a lustrous gem and it is a crystal variety of the mineral aluminum fluorosilicate. Colors vary from colorless to yellow, green blue and red and the most popular stones are a rich orange yellow and rose pink in color.
Symbolizes contentment and is the birthstone for July. Ruby is a red transparent precious stone next in value to the diamond when pure in color and flawless. Colors vary from rose and carmine to pidgeon blood. Deep red star rubies are the most highly prized variety of the mineral corundum colored red by ferric oxide.
Symbolizes wisdom and is the birthstone for September. Sapphire is a transparent blue to lilac precious gemstone variety of carborundum. Varieties range from deep blue to pink or golden colors. The most valuable stones exhibit different shades of bright cauliflower blue.
Symbolizes success and is the birthstone for May. Emerald is a most valuable gem variety of the mineral beryl colored green by minute amounts of chromium. Renowned for its beauty, ancient peoples believed the emerald had healing powers for the eyes.