Gemstones have been something that I have been fascinated with ever since I went to Tucson to the Gem and Jewelry Show there. I have to admit that I am much more of a novice when it comes to colored gemstones than I am about diamonds. But, like everything else in life, it’s all in the learning, and I am all about learning.
One thing I’ve noticed is that estate and antique jewelry seems to carry quite a bit of different colored gemstones, so it’s important to have a handle on what’s what and to at least be able to recognize the differences in them. If you don’t know the first thing about colored gemstones, then it’s hard to tell an emerald from a tsavorite.
Each month I am going to talk about a different gemstone. I will discuss their properties, how to clean them and take care of them, common treatments that are used on them, so you will be aware if the possibility exists if your stone has been heat treated and what that means.
In the meantime, to get started, here are some fun facts that show you which gemstones are the traditional birthstone, zodiac signs and anniversary celebrations!
The Birthstone Gemstone Guide
January = Garnet.
February = Amethyst
March = Aquamarine and Bloodstone
April = Diamond
May = Emerald
June = Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
July = Ruby
August = Peridot and Sardonyx
September = Sapphire
October = Opal and Pink Tourmaline
November = Topaz and Citrine
December = Turquoise, Blue Zircon and Tanzanite
The Zodiac Gemstone Guide
Aquarius = Sapphire
Pisces = Amethyst
Aries = Ruby
Taurus = Golden Topaz
Gemini = Citrine
Cancer = Moonstone
Leo = Garnet
Virgo = Emerald
Libra = Peridot
Scorpio = Aquamarine
Sagittarius = Garnet
Capricorn = Green Tourmaline
Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gemstone Guide
1st = Gold
2nd = Red Garnet
3rd = Jade and Pearl
4th = Blue Zircon, Topaz and Amethyst
5th = Pink Tourmaline and Sapphire
6th = Turquoise and Amethyst
7th = Onyx
8th = Tanzanite and Tourmaline
9th = Amethyst, Lapis and Tiger’s Eye
10th = Diamonds
11th = Citrine and Turquoise
12th = Opal and Jade
13th = Moonstone and Citrine
14th = Agate and Opal
15th = Rhodolite Garnet and Ruby
16th = Red Spinel, Peridot and Aquamarine
17th = Carnelian Watches
18th = Aquamarine and Opal
19th = Garnet, Topaz and Aquamarine
20th = Yellow Diamond and Emerald
25th = Silver Jubilee Tsavorite Garnet
30th = Pearl Jubilee
35th = Emerald and Coral
40th = Ruby
45th = Cat’s Eye, Alexandrite and Sapphire
50th = Golden Jubilee Imperial Topaz
55th = Alexandrite and Emerald
60th = Diamond Jubilee
