BOLD. Courtesy of BEAUTIFUL. BELOVED.
Overview: Garnets are a set of closely related History and Lore: Necklaces studded with Major Sources: Afghanistan, Brazil, India, Care and Cleaning: Clean using warm, soapy JANUARY minerals that form a group, resulting in gemstones garnets adorned the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Iran, Kenya, Myanmar, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia, water. An ultrasonic cleaner is usually safe except in almost every color. Color variations are caused In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets Sri Lanka, Tanzania for stones that have fractures. Steam cleaning is by the presence of different trace elements and were used as seals to stamp the wax that secured not recommended. Garnet often have specific variety names. important documents. Mohs Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5
FEBRUARY Overview: Amethyst is the purple variety History and Lore: “Amethystos” means Major Sources: Brazil, United States, Care and Cleaning: Clean with warm, soapy of the mineral quartz. It’s the gem most commonly “not drunk” in ancient Greek. Because of its wine- Uruguay, Zambia water. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe except in associated with the color purple. The purple can like color, early Greek legends associated amethyst rare instances where a stone is dyed or treated by be cool and bluish, or a reddish purple that’s with Bacchus, the god of wine. It was believed that Mohs Hardness: 7 fracture filling. Steam cleaning is not recommended; Amethyst sometimes referred to as “raspberry.” wearing amethyst prevented drunkenness. do not subject to heat.
MARCH Overview: Aquamarine is the light green- History and Lore: The name “aquamarine” Major Sources: Brazil, Pakistan, Care and Cleaning: Ultrasonic and steam blue to blue variety of the mineral beryl. It is is derived from two Latin words: aqua, meaning United States, Uruguay, Zambia cleaners are usually safe unless the stone has liquid generally light to medium in tone. Aquamarine’s “water,” and marina, meaning “of the sea.” It has inclusions or fractures. Fracture-filled gems should most valuable color is a vibrant, medium blue been said that the mineral beryl gives the wearer Mohs Hardness: 7.5 to 8 only be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Aquamarine to slightly greenish blue. protection against foes in battle or litigation.
Overview: Diamond is the only gem made of History and Lore: Over the centuries, Major Sources: Australia, Botswana, Care and Cleaning: Clean by wiping it with APRIL a single element: It is typically about 99.95 percent diamond was thought to be an antidote to poison; Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia a lint-free cloth; or use warm water, mild soap carbon. The other 0.05 percent can include one or a protection against the plague; and to assure and a soft toothbrush or a commercial jewelry more trace elements. Some trace elements can longevity, strength, beauty and happiness. It is Mohs Hardness: 10 cleaning solution. Diamond influence its color or crystal shape. now the universal symbol of love.
Overview: Emerald is the green to bluish History and Lore: From Egyptian pharaohs Major Sources: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Care and Cleaning: Use warm soapy water MAY green variety of the mineral beryl colored by trace to Inca emperors, emerald has enchanted royalty Colombia, India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia, with gentle scrubbing. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners elements of chromium and vanadium. The most for more than 6,000 years. Emeralds from Colombia Zambia, Zimbabwe are not recommended. desirable emerald colors are bluish green to pure that the Spanish Conquistadors brought back to green with strong to vivid color saturation and Europe helped popularize the gem. Mohs Hardness: 7.5 to 8 Emerald medium to medium-dark tone.
JUNE Overview: Alexandrite is a very rare color History and Lore: Discovered in 1830 Major Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Care and Cleaning: Warm, soapy water is change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. The by miners in the Ural Mountains of Russia, these Sri Lanka, Tanzania always safe for cleaning alexandrite. Ultrasonic and most-prized alexandrites show a vivid green to red to green color-changing stones resembled the steam cleaners are usually safe except in the rare bluish green in daylight and fluorescent light, colors of Imperial Russia’s national military. The Mohs Hardness: 8.5 instances where a stone is treated by fracture filling. and an intense red to purplish red in find was named “alexandrite” after the Russian Alexandrite incandescent light. Emperor Alexander II.
Overview: Moonstone is a variety of the History and Lore: According to Hindu Major Sources: India, Madagascar, Care and Cleaning: Clean using warm, JUNE feldspar-group mineral orthoclase. The strength mythology, moonstone is made of solidified Sri Lanka, Tanzania soapy water only. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners and color of moonstone's sheen, its body color moonbeams. It was also thought to bring are never recommended. and clarity are the most important value factors. good fortune. Mohs Hardness: 6 to 6.5 Moonstone
Overview: A pearl is an organic gem that History and Lore: Natural pearls have Major Sources: Care and Cleaning: Since pearls are relatively JUNE grows inside saltwater and freshwater mollusks. been coveted for thousands of years. The spherical • Akoya pearls: China, Japan soft, take special care when wearing or displaying Pearl bodycolor varies by the type of mollusk it shape of some pearls led many cultures to associate • South Sea pearls: Australia, Indonesia, them. For routine care, wipe pearls with a clean, dry, is formed in. The vast majority of pearls sold are them with the moon. In ancient China, pearls were the Philippines soft cloth after each wearing. Ultrasonic and steam cultured – a product of human intervention; natural believed to guarantee protection from fire and • Tahitian pearls: the islands of French Polynesia cleaners are not recommended. It is safe to use warm, pearls are exceedingly rare. fire-breathing dragons. In Europe, they symbolized • Freshwater pearls: China, United States soapy water for occasional thorough cleaning. Do not modesty, chastity and purity. store in air tight areas for prolonged periods of time. Pearl Mohs Hardness: 2.5 to 3
Overview: Ruby is the red variety of the History and Lore: Early cultures valued Major Sources: Afghanistan, Greenland, Care and Cleaning: Cleaning with warm, JULY mineral corundum and its color is caused by traces rubies for their similarity to the redness of the Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam of chromium. Color is the most significant factor blood that flowed through their veins, and believed Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, affecting a ruby’s value. The most sought-after color rubies held the power of life. Many medieval Thailand, Vietnam and lattice diffusion-treated stones. Fracture-filled, by collectors worldwide is a deep red sometimes with Europeans wore rubies to guarantee health, cavity-filled or dyed material should only be cleaned Ruby a hint of purple, called “pigeon’s blood” in the trade. wealth, wisdom and success in love. Mohs Hardness: 9 with a damp cloth.
Overview: Peridot’s color ranges from yellowish History and Lore: Peridot has always Major Sources: China, Egypt, Myanmar, Care and Cleaning: Clean only with warm, AUGUST green to greenish yellow. The most favored peridot been associated with light. Some believed that Pakistan, Tanzania, United States, Vietnam soapy water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are color is a richly saturated pure grass green without it protected its owner from “terrors of the night,” never recommended. any hint of yellow or brown. especially when it was set in gold. Others strung Mohs Hardness: 6.5 to 7 the gems on donkey hair and tied them around Peridot their left arms to ward off evil spirits.
Overview: Spinel comes in a rainbow of colors History and Lore: The name spinel Major Sources: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Care and Cleaning: Cleaning with warm, AUGUST caused by various trace elements. Red, pink, lilac and comes from the Latin “spina” meaning “thorn,” Tajikistan, Tanzania, Vietnam soapy water is always safe. Although ultrasonic blue are considered the most commercially important which refers to the shape of spinel crystals. cleaners and steam cleaners are usually safe, and available. The most valued spinel colors are Red spinel has often been mistaken for other Mohs Hardness: 8 certain inclusions like fractures could pose a Spinel bright red, cobalt blue, and vivid pink and orange. gemstones, especially ruby. potential problem.
Overview: Sapphire is a member of the mineral History and Lore: Sapphire comes from Major Sources: Australia, Cambodia, Care and Cleaning: Warm, soapy water SEPTEMBER species corundum. The rich hues of blue sapphire the Greek word “sapheiros,” which means “bright China, Kashmir, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are are universally known but fancy sapphires come blue stone” and has been cherished for thousands Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, usually safe for untreated, heat-treated and lattice in many colors including pink, yellow, purple, of years for its color, durability, hardness and United States, Vietnam diffusion-treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled colorless, black, green and rare pinkish orange. luster. Early Buddhists believed in its power or dyed material should only be cleaned with a Sapphire for spiritual awareness. Mohs Hardness: 9 damp cloth.
Overview: Opals display a phenomenon known History and Lore: The name opal comes Major Sources: Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Care and Cleaning: Clean only with warm, OCTOBER as play-of-color. When a stone has play-of-color, it from the Latin "opalus" that was synonymous with Mexico, Peru, United States soapy water. Do not expose to heat or excessive is referred to as precious opal. The most valuable “precious stone” in ancient Rome. The ancient Greeks dryness, which can lead to internal cracks known opals display play-of-color from all angles, across believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy Mohs Hardness: 5 to 6.5 as "crazing". the entire stone, in the full range of hues from red and guarded them from disease. For Europeans, it Opal through blue. has been a symbol of hope, purity and truth.
OCTOBER Overview: Tourmaline comes in a wide range History and Lore: Egyptian legend has it Major Sources: Brazil, Kenya, Madagascar, Care and Cleaning: Warm, soapy water is of colors that vary in intensity and tone. Very few that tourmaline gathered all the colors while Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the best method for cleaning tourmaline. The use of gems match tourmaline’s dazzling range of colors, travelling along the rainbow, thus giving its name, Russia, Tanzania, United States, Zambia ultrasonic and steam cleaners is not recommended. and it was easily confused with other gems until which means “a gem of the rainbow.” Tourmaline the development of modern mineralogy. Mohs Hardness: 7 to 7.5
Overview: Citrine is the transparent, pale History and Lore: The name citrine comes Major Sources: Bolivia, Brazil, Madagascar, Care and Cleaning: Cleaning with warm, NOVEMBER yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz and from the French “citron” and Latin “citrus” meaning Mexico, Spain, Uruguay soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic cleaners are is quite rare in nature. The most popular shade is lemon-colored. Naturally colored citrine is rare, usually safe except in the rare instances where a an earthy deep brownish or reddish orange. The and today most citrine quartz is the result of heat Mohs Hardness: 7 stone is dyed or treated by fracture filling. finest citrine color is a saturated yellow to reddish treatment of amethyst quartz. Citrine orange free of brownish tints.
NOVEMBER Overview: Topaz features a variety of History and Lore: Topaz was as a symbol Major Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Care and Cleaning: Clean with warm, soapy colors, from colorless, light blue, green, yellow, of strength among the ancient Greeks. Europeans Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, water. Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners. red, orange, pink, violet to brown. A vivid purplish at the time of the Renaissance believed in its power Sri Lanka, United States pink color is one of the most rare and sought to destroy curses and dispel anger. “Topaz” comes after colors. Blue topaz and colorless topaz are from the Sanskrit word “tapas” that means “fire.” Mohs Hardness: 8 Topaz widely available and very affordable.
DECEMBER Overview: Tanzanite is the blue to bluish History and Lore: Named by Tiffany & Co. Major Source: Tanzania Care and Cleaning: Clean using warm, purple variety of the mineral zoisite. The most after Tanzania, the country in which it was soapy water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are prized is a pure blue color or an intense violet- discovered in 1967, tanzanite continues to Mohs Hardness: 6 to 7 never recommended. blue. Viewed at different angles, tanzanite’s hue enjoy its growing popularity. Tanzanite is may appear violet. found commercially in only one place on Earth, Tanzanite making it many times rarer than diamonds.
DECEMBER Overview: Turquoise ranges from blue to History and Lore: Turquoise is one of Major Sources: China, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Care and Cleaning: Clean using warm, green in color. The most prized color is an even, the world’s most ancient gems. Archaeological United States soapy water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never intense medium blue. Generally, pure saturated excavations revealed that the rulers of ancient recommended. Heat, chemicals, cosmetics and even blue shades are the most valuable. The most Egypt adorned themselves with turquoise jewelry, Mohs Hardness: 7 to 7.5 skin oils or perspiration can discolor or damage valuable turquoise is an even medium blue with and Chinese artisans carved it more than 3,000 treated turquoise. Turquoise no matrix and the ability to take a polish. years ago.
DECEMBER Overview: Zircon occurs in an array of colors: History and Lore: In the Hindu religion, Major Sources: Australia, Cambodia, Care and Cleaning: Clean with warm, yellow, green, red, reddish brown and blue hues. zircon alternates with hessonite garnet as one Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam soapy water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are Colorless zircon is known for its brilliance and of the nine gems of the navaratna. When worn not recommended. flashes of multicolored light, called fire. These together, the nine gems protect the wearer Mohs Hardness: 6 to 7.5 Z zircon properties are close enough to the properties and bring good health, wealth and wisdom. of diamond to account for centuries of confusion ircon between the two gems. Images courtesy: Dr. E. J. Gübelin Collection, D. Humphrey, Bear Essentials, Stephen M. Avery, Nomad's Co., Mayer & Watt, Evan Caplan, David A Brackna.
Care and Cleaning: Many gems can be subjected to treatments to enhance their color and clarity. Cleaning methods may vary depending on the presence or type of treatment. GIA® reports are available for diamonds, colored stones and pearls, and provide important information including grading, identification and detectable treatments. Learn more about birthstones and other gems at GIA.edu/gem-encyclopedia BRC0118