Supplying Mother's Rings and Pendants With Lasting Value.

January

Garnet

Garnet can occur naturally in colors ranging from orange to deep red, and also in shades of green. The Brilliance of the Garnet makes this gemstone a most prized possession. During the 18th Century , genuine garnets were considered the most trreasured jewel to own, and it was worn by only the most wealthy and influential people. The hardness is 6.5-7.5.

Garnet was believed to have magical properties- such as preventing skin diseases; assuring the wearer of love, faithfulness, & safety from wounds; protecting the wearer from evil & terrifying dreams!

Genuine Garnets are found in Africa, India and So. America.

February

Amethyst

Amethyst can be found in varying shades of purple. A top quality stone will be clear deep purple, with no flaws. The hardness is 7.

The word amethyst comes from the Greek, meaning "not drunken, without drunkenness". It was believed to protect from the effects of wine, especially if held under the tongue while drinking. (We do not recommend trying this!)

Amethyst is mined in So. America, Russia and India.

March

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a beautiful light blue-green stone in it's top color form. A nice stone will be clear, without visible flaws. Some commercially available aqua is treated with heat, to improve its color. Such treatments do not affect the stone's strength, or value. The hardness is 7.5-8.

Aquamarine is derived from the Latin, "beryllus aquamarinus", meaning resembling seawater. It is traditionally a sailor's talisman.

Primary sources for Aquamarine are Brazil, Russia and Madagascar.

Diamonds can be found in almost every color of the rainbow, but the colorless stone has been the most popular for decades. The hardness is 10.

The word, diamond, is from the Greek "adamas"- meaning unbreakable or indomitable. They were believed to render all poisons harmless & to drive away madness, night spirits, and evil dreams.

They are mostly found in South Africa.

May

Emerald

Emerald. A deep green stone, natural emeralds almost always have visible inclusions, and need special care when setting & cleaning. A natural Emerald without flaws is very rare, and expensive! The hardness is 7.5-8. This stone is fragile, and care should be taken in cleaning & wearing- no sharp knocks on table edges or doorways!

This stone has been linked to fertility & the Earth Goddess, is sacred to the Goddess Venus, and was worn by women to ease the pain of childbirth. Emerald is a cousin to the Aqua, both are in the Beryl family of stones.

Emeralds are found in Colombia Brazil, Africa, Russia, Pakistan, and Zambia.

June

Pearl or
Alexandrite

Pearl & Alexandrite are both commonly used for this month. Pearls are formed inside a mollusk, a response to an irritant felt by the animal. They can be found in many shades of whites, and many shapes- from perfectly round to fanciful baroque. Alexandrite is one of the few color-change stones. It will appear to be different colors in natural and flourescent lighting. It is rare in it's natural form, but can be found in a synthetic form, with the same color-change properties. The hardness is 8.5.

Pearls are attributed to the Goddess Venus as a symbol of innocence.

Pearls are readily found in both sea & fresh-water varieties. Alexandrite is found in Russia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Brazil.

Alexandrite

July

Ruby

A Ruby is found in varying shades of red; deep, clear stones are desirable. Some may have seen "star rubies", these are cabachon (domed) stones that reflect an asterisk light effect on the domed surface. When flawless, a Ruby is more valuable than a diamond. The hardness is 9.

Historically, the Ruby is associated with royalty & the power or life and death. It was attributed the power to prevent loss of blood, strengthen the heart, and negate poisons. They are a cousin to the Sapphire.

Rubies are found in Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Afghanistan, India and Kenya.

August

Peridot

The Peridot is a light green, almost electric color. The hardness is 6.5-7.

It is believed to cure liver disease & dropsy; to free the mind from envious thoughts; and to dispel terrors of the night. For full magical power, it should be set in gold. Peridot is the stone assigned to the sun.

Peridot is plentifully found in Australia, Brazil, Burma, Sri Lanka, and the United States.

Peridot

September

Sapphire

Sapphire is found in a rainbow of colors, all but red. (Red Sapphire is actually Ruby, it's cousin!) There are also "star sapphires"- which are domed stones that show a starlight effect on the top. The hardness is 9.

Sapphires are traditionally connected with the eye & the sky- therefore with vision & the ability to read the future. Sapphires render black magic harmless, and help the wearer discern falsehoods. Buddhists believe the Sapphire brings purity & spiritual enlightenment.

Sapphire is readily found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Australia India, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa, and the United States.

October

Opal
or
Tourmaline

Opal & Tourmaline are both representative of this month. Opals are usually opaque white stones with rainbow color specks or flashes that play over the surface. They can be found in breathtaking form! Tourmaline is a transparent stone, usually occurring in shades of pinks & greens. Tourmaline hardness 7-7.5.

Opals are thought to possess the virtues of all the stones whose colors appear there. The Roman senator Nonius chose exile rather than surrendering an Opal to Mark Anthony. Tourmaline comes from the Sanskrit "turamali".

Tourmaline is found in the United States (southern California and Maine), Brazil, and Madagascar. Opals are found predominantly in Australia.

November

Citrine

Citrine is a beautiful yellow quartz. It has a hardness of 7. Citrine can be easily scratched. Citrine often permanently changes color if left in the sunlight for several hours. Most citrine on the market is heat treated amethyst.

Named from the French name for lemon,"citron," many citrines have a juicy lemon color. Sunny and affordable, citrine can brighten almost any jewelry style, blending especially well with the yellow gleam of polished gold. In ancient times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.

Citrine is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Spain, USA (California, Colorado, Georgia, and Nevada) and the former USSR.

December

Blue
Zircon

Blue Zircon usually starts out as a brownish-green stone, and is heated to turn it blue. Stones of more than a couple of carats are rarely seen, due to the difficulty in cutting this material. The hardness is 6-6.5.

Zircon is said to drive away evil spirits & bad dreams, banish grief & melancholy, restore appetite, induce sleep, & protect against lightning! It is mined in Sri Lanka & Burma, mainly.

Gem varieties occur in stream gravels and detrital deposits, particularly in Indochina and Sri Lanka, but also in Burma, Australia, and New Zealand.

(Blue Topaz may be substituted - depending on availability)