March Birthstone | Aquamarine - Semi-Precious | Jewelariaa.com

Image source: Claudia Hamann

Aquamarine is the birthstone for those lucky enough to be born in March.

The word Aquamarine is a combination of two words "aqua" meaning water and "marina" meaning the sea - the colour of the sea. It is the blue to blue-green member of the beryl family and forms in terminated crystals (6-sided crystals).

Aquamarines can range from a very light, almost imperceptible colour to stones with a rich vibrant colour. Stones with a rich blue colour are the most popular, the rarest and there most valuable. It is such a popular gemstone that it can be found in almost any jewelry store in the United States.

Most gem-quality aquamarine crystals form in cavities below Earth's surface during the late stages of a magma body's civilization. They are usually found in granite pegmatites and from veins in metamorphic rocks.

Treasured by mermaids, it is known as the "Sailor's Gem" as it was believed to protect sailors from the perils of the sea, Neptune. It is also said to make the wearer feel calm and is thought to enhance the happiness of marriages, love, courage, hope and good health.

February Birthstone | Amethyst - Semi-Precious | Jewelariaa.com

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An Amethyst is a birthstone for those born in the month of February. It is the most valuable member of the quartz family and forms as terminated crystals of all sizes in geodes and clusters.

The term "amethyst" derives from the ancient Greek word "amethystos", which roughly translates to intoxicated. Ancient Greece believed that this gemstone protected them from getting drunk. It was also called the 'Gem of Fire' in ancient times as it was thought to contain fire energy, an energy that is creative, passionate, and spiritual.

It is found throughout the world and gets its wonderful coloring from impurities of Iron or Manganese compounds. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light lavender or pale violet color to a deep purple color.

If you look closely at amethyst crystals, you'll probably see that the tips are generally darker than the bases. It happens due to the iron mix in the water changing as the crystal slowly grows. So basically, after the stone crystallizes, gamma rays that are emitted by radioactive materials inside the rock irradiate the iron, turning it purple.

*PS: Amethyst can fade in tone if overexposed to light sources and can be artificially darkened with adequate irradiation.

The deep purple color of this gemstone has long signified royalty and had adorned many crowns and royal jewelry. It's known to symbolize wealth and enables the wearer to be clear-headed.

January Birthstone | Garnet - Semi-Precious | Jewelariaa.com

Image Source : Bremer Jewelry

Garnet is the birthstone for those that are born in the month of January. The word Garnet derives from the fourteenth century where "garnet" meant a deep red color. In addition, it is derived from the Latin word "granatum" meaning seed, because the crystals resemble the red color from the pomegranate fruit.

Garnet can be found in metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary rocks and can be of various grades.

Garnet species are found in every color, with reddish shades being the most common. Blue garnets are the rarest of all and were first reported in the 1990s.

The different species are-

• Pyrope

• Almandine

• Spessartine

• Grossular - Hessonite & Tsavorite

• Uvarovite

• Andradite

In Persia, this birth gem was considered a talisman from nature's forces like storms and lightning. It was widely accepted that garnet could signal approaching danger by turning pale.

Garnet signifies true friendship and trust, making it the perfect gift for your friend.