The Birthstone Guide

The Birthstone Guide The only guide you need for helping your customers pick the perfect gifts for themselves or someone else-fun facts included! JANUARY GARNET MARCH AQUAMARINE APRIL DIAMOND FEBRUARY AMETHYST Derived from the Greek word granatum, which means pome- granate seed. This "jewel of the Bods" was once as valuable as a ruby or emerald-until the 1800s, when more were found in Brazil. This is the hardest substance on earth, and only one pol- ished diamond out of a thousand weighs more than one carat. Legend has it that sailors once wore it to prevent seasickness. MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST EMERALD PEARL RUBY PERIDOT Emerald is one gemstone in which people actually appreciate seeing its imperfect inclusions (unlike a diamond). Almost all rubies have flaws; those without any are exceptionally rare and command One of the few gem- stones that comes in only one color. Notorious for grandeur, Cleopatra is said to have dissolved a pearl in her wine and drank it down. prices higher than most diamonds of similar weight and quality. SEPTEMBER SAPPHIRE OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER OPAL TOPAZ TANZANITE Discovered in Tan- zania, the stone was christened tenzanite by Tiffany & Co. in 1968 Often used as an alter- An old wives' tale Available in a vast range of colors-from blue to brown to yel- low and even peach. native to the traditional warns that it is bad diamond engagement ting-famously worn by a member of the Royal Family. luck to wear opal if it isn't your birthstone. Its beauty is worth the risk! Additional Birthstones JUNE ALEXANDRITE OCTOBER TOURMALINE NOVEMBER CITRINE DECEMBER TURQUOISE DECEMBER ZIRCON Named for Emperor Alexander Il after it Legend attributes its mixed hues to a trip along the rainbow- gathering all the colors along the way. Known as the "suc- A significant amount of One of the oldest this stone is found in cess stone"; put it under your pillow to alleviate nightmares. known minerals on earth, and traces of it date as far back as 4.4 billion years. was discovered in the the Southwestern U.S. Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830. Garnet/John Dyer, Aquamarine/ Omi Gems; Diamond/Amipi; Emerald/Omi Gems; Ruby/Omi Gems; Peridat/Omi Gems; Sapphhire/Omi Gems; Opal/Allan A. Geldman; Blue Tepaz/John Dyer, Tanzanite/Tanzanite Foundation; Alexandrite/Omi Gems; Tourmaline/Omi Gems; Citrine/John Dyer; Zircon/Commercial Mineral Company JCK Marketplace These fun facts ore ottributed to GIA and the Tanzenite Foundation.