Mozambique Garnet, glowing deep red with hints of orange or brown,is typically the gem of choice for those born in January. The major source for this untreated natural beauty is Africa. The Garnet rates a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale for gemstones. The color is so warmth and appealing it is no wonder that Garnet was once believed to have healing properties particularly with diseases related to blood.
The rich hue of Rhodolite Garnet boasts undertones of rose and plum. With its shimmering brilliance and raspberry freshness, Rhodolite garnet can brighten even the bleakest winter day. It immediately lifts the spirits and creates lively, exuberant excitement. The color ranges from a light to medium rose to a medium to dark raspberry. Rhodolite Garnet is amazingly affordable – it just looks expensive!
A grossularite form of Garnet, Tsavorite was discovered near Tsavo National Park in the Northeastern part of Tanzania (home of the gemstone Tanzanite). Rich, intense and boasting very high brilliance, Tsavorite Garnet is a refreshing surprise of kelly green color. Its tones range from a light spring green to a deep breathtaking shade of forest green, making it one of the few gems to rival Emerald in both color and beauty.
Garnet is the birthstone for those born in the month of January. Typically thought of as red in color, garnets actually are all colors except blue. I thought it might be fun to highlight a different color of garnet this month!
This beautiful garnet is part of the spessartine family that vary in color from light and bright orange to deeper, more reddish orange. Any hint of red or yellow makes the gem a spessartite rather than a mandarin garnet. Only the most vivid pure orange – often described as “electric” – is really defined as mandarin tangerine.
They are graded 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale and are one of the few gemstones that have no enhancements – they aren’t oiled, heated, or treated and are usually eye clean. Their relative rareness makes them expensive. Mandarin garnets are fairly recent to the gemstone scene and were discovered in Namibia in the early 1990s.
They exhibit such a unique warm, cheerful glow. Don’t you agree?
Tanzanite exhibits a mesmerizing combination of blue and violet because it is pleochroic and has a scintillating play of light refraction. It is popular for its exotic, velvety color that ranges from a rich violet blue to more purple tones. Smaller sized stones are paler – lavender to periwinkle tones. From one angle it is seen as purple and from another, blue. What’s more, it is one color indoors and another outside.
The source of Tanzanite is one, finite area. It is only mined in Tanzania, Africa in a production area that is approximately five square kilometers in size. This is the only location worldwide and prices fluctuate based on inconsistent production.
Tanzanite is a new addition to the official birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association for the month of December. Tanzanite is also recommended gem gift for couples celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary.
Special care should be taken of your precious tanzanite jewelry in wear and cleaning. Clean only in mild soapy water and avoid hard knocks and scratches as well.
Blue Zircon is a gem stone of great beauty and rarity rivaling the far more expensive blue diamond in color and sparkle. It is frequently used to celebrate December birthdays and the 4th wedding anniversary.
The color of Blue Zircon ranges from aqua blue to shimmering teal – a medium dark, slightly greenish blue.
It is rated “fair” for everyday wear rating a 7.5 on the Moh’s hardness scale. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause its color to fade.
Major sources include Australia, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gems. The Egyptians were mining turquoise in 3200 BC in the Sinai. The stone was thought to have powerful metaphysical properties by many ancient cultures. It was thought to promote prosperity and offer protection from evil.
Turquoise is porous and should be kept away from heat and household chemicals. It rates a 5 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale. The brighter and clearer blue the color and the clearer and more even the texture the greater the value. Turquoise can be pale blue to greenish blue or pale green and can contain matrix that looks like veining. Turquoise is commonly impregnated with paraffin to create or improve color and increase durability. This treatment has good stability.
Turquoise is the original birthstone for those born in the month of December. The faceted choice(s) were added later – first blue zircon and then tanzanite which I will highlight later this month in their own blogs. If you were born in the month of December, you have more choices then most of us as to what to call your birthstone. Or, better yet, don’t limit yourself to one – use all three!
November’s birthstones, topaz and citrine, represent a wealth of golden tones and much more. Topaz occurs in a beautiful array of colors including shades of yellow, pink, and blue. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word “tapas” meaning fire.
Topaz is said to empower the wearer with beauty and intelligence. Today it is a popular choice because of its beautiful colors and reasonably affordable prices.
Citrine ranges in color from pale yellow to dark orange. The name is derived from the French word “citrin” meaning yellow. The use of this term dates to the sixteenth century when it came to represent the golden shades of the quartz family of gemstones.
The earrings pictured are rectangular shaped citrine gemstones set in 14 karat white gold. This is an usual combination but quite a nice contrast – the cool white metal with the sunny warm gemstones – don’t you think?
The birthstone of November is recognized as the healing quartz. In a bygone era this golden gemstone was believed to strengthen the vitality and health in the wearer. Citrine was carried as protection against snakes and evil spirits and thoughts. Today citrine is valued for the manner in which it can brighten up your wardrobe this fall season.
Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia and Spain.
Citrine is frequently confused with the more expensive orange-yellow topaz and was often sold as topaz by uninformed jewelers. You can confidently shop for citrine at Laney’s Diamonds & Jewelry, dedicated to consumer protection, ethics and gemological knowledge. To learn more about gemstones visit http://laneysjewelry.com
Given to commemorate a 14th wedding anniversary, opal stands almost alone among gemstones for its non-crystalline nature. The multicolored gemstones have a rich and varied history and were collected by ancients around the world. Our favorite tidbit: Romans called them “Cupid paederos,” meaning a child as beautiful as love. They believed that opals fell to earth in a flash of lightening.
