As well as representing a particular month, each birthstone has properties that determine the way it should be set.
July Birthstones
The ruby is the gemstone for the month of July. It is a member of the Corundum family, which includes blue, pink and yellow stones that are known as sapphires. Though the shades of red can range from light to dark, ruby red is the most desirable. Many rubies are treated with heat, dyes and coatings to improve color and to conceal surface flaws. Rubies tend to have more inclusions than other stones. However some types of internal flaws, called silk, can enhance the stone by scattering light and giving the ruby a fluorescent glow. Due to their cost, rubies are often set as earrings, rings and in charms.
August Birthstones
Peridot is associated with the month of August. It is yellowish green to a deep olive color. On the hardness scale, it is 6.5 to 7.0. In the United States, Arizona is a large supplier of peridot, which is usually a bright yellowish green. The stones from Burma, another popular source, are generally deep olive color. Peridot are not typically treated and do not have many inclusions or flaws. These birthstones are often set as pendants, earrings, rings and in bracelets.
Sapphires for September
The birthstone for this month is the Blue Sapphire. Sapphires also come in pink, gold, green, purple and orange. Inclusions, or flaws within the stone, are more noticeable in lighter-colored stones, so look carefully. Sapphires are 9.0 on the hardness scale. Most stones are heat treated, which is a permanent process. This birthstone can be set as a pendant, earrings, rings and bracelets.
October Birthstones
Morganite, also known as the pink emerald, is the gemstone for the month of October. It is from the beryl family, and on the hardness scale is a 7.5 to 8.0. Opals or tourmalines are also birthstones associated with the month of October. Tourmalines are from Sri Lanka and rate as 7 to 7.5 on the hardness scale. They appear in every color of the rainbow; however they are prone to cracks and flaws. Morganites are usually set as earrings and rings as are opals and tourmalines. The fire of an opal is enhanced when set alongside diamonds.
Birthstones for November
Yellow Topaz is the birthstone for November. Topaz can be colorless, or white, yellow, orange or pink and the hardness scale is 8.0. Topaz is often irradiated to create a deeper shade of blue though it lacks the greenish yellow hue identified with aquamarine stones. Yellow to brown topaz is the least costly while gold and peachy colors are more valuable. Pink topaz, from Brazil is very rare while smokey topaz is not topaz at all but a less costly variety of quartz. This birthstone can be set as rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.
Citrine is another birthstone associated with the month of November. It is a member of the quartz family and the name comes from the French word for lemon, citrine. Citrines can range in color from medium yellow to dark orange yellow. They are routinely heat-treated to enhance the color and natural citrine is commonly paler. It is 7.0 on the hardness scale and is often set as rings, earrings and pendants.
Birthstones for December
December's birthstone is the blue zircon. It is not usually heat or chemically treated. On the hardness scale, the Zircon is a 6.5 to 7.5. Typically blue, other colors include green, gold, and red. These birthstones are not to be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a fake synthetically manufactured stone. Turquoise is another stone associated with this month. Blue Zircons are often set as pendants, rings and earrings. Turquoise can be set in rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pendants as well as on belts and hats.
Other Birthstones
Learn about the best ways to set birthstones from January garnets to June pearls. Antique and estate jewelry, like that from the Regency era, often demonstrates unique ways to set birthstones.
Heather Zorzini - Heather Zorzini's stories, essays and photographs have appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto's NOW Magazine and ...
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