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Bright dark green Emerald is the most valuable and valuable gem by weight. Emerald is rare, valuable and has been revered since ancient times. May Birthstone: Emerald Emerald Meaning & History The name emerald is derived from the Greek word for "green gem". Emeralds have been treasured for over 5000 years. They were worshiped by the Aztecs and Incas, mined by the ancient Egyptians, and highly prized for their healing properties in India. They have long been prized by royalty and are still found in royal jewelry and national collections. Large specimens are often found in museums. Emerald Sources Emerald is the green form of the mineral beryl. Some of the rarest and most admired emeralds are dark green with few inclusions. Unlike many gemstones, inclusions generally do not devalue an emerald. On the contrary, the so-called "garden" is considered a symbol of the natural history of the gem. Dark green emeralds with finer inclusions are considered more valuab...

Diamond is a world's most popular gemstones and the world's hardest materials create brilliant, sparkling, and timeless jewelry. April Birthstone: Diamond Diamond Meaning & History The word diamond is derived from the Greek word for "impossible to tame". The earliest mention of diamonds comes from Indian texts circa 296 BC. Prized as a decoration, amulet and industrial tool, diamonds became popular as a gemstone starting in the 1300's and by the 1400's were being used in wedding rings. Diamonds are a tightly controlled, complicated and mysterious industry which in some ways has added to their allure. Where is diamond found? The diamond is a crystalline form of carbon which is formed under intense heat and pressure at least 90 miles below the surface of the Earth. It's hardness and high dispersion of light make it particularly well suited to being a gemstone. While clear white varieties have been most popular over the years, rare colored varieties exist...

Aquamarine is reminiscent of the pure light blue sea, hence its name. March Birthstone: Aquamarine Aquamarine meaning and history Aquamarine named after the clear blue sea, It has long been associated with harmony and confidence. It is said that wearing aquamarine strengthens relationships and brings happiness. It is a favorite of jewelry designers for its clarity, shape and blue color. Where is aquamarine found? Aquamarine is the blue form of the barrel, closely related to the sapphire.  It is mainly mined in Brazil.  Aquamarine is commonly found with high levels of clarity and large jewelry grade stones are common.  The largest aquamarine ever weighed 240 pounds and was over 16 inches in diameter.  The most sought after stones are dark blue in color and less green in color.  Most jewelry aquamarines are heat treated to bring out the blue and reduce the green. Read Also:  February Birthstone  ,  April Birthstone

The rich purple color of amethyst is reminiscent of royalty and, in fact, has been a staple in royal and crown ornaments for centuries. February Birthstone - Amethyst Amethyst Meaning & History The word Amethyst is derived from the greek words for "not drunken" and it was once thought that the Amethyst would ward off drunkenness. Ancient cups and goblets often contained or were carved completely from amethyst for that reason. Amethyst has been consider to be a charm against death and evil spirits, a symbol of piety and calmness, a bringer of peace and understanding. Soldiers often brought them into battle. Catholic bishops still wear the traditional large amethyst rings. The amethyst has long been a favorite of royalty and their use for royal jewelry dates back to Egyptian times. The British Crown Jewels feature Amethyst. Amethyst Colour Amethyst is a variety of quartz, ranging in color from pale lavender to rich purple. Dark purple stones are the most sought after. Wher...

The deep red color of garnet is reminiscent of Victorian ornament, although its use is thousands of years old. January birthstone - Garnet Garnet Gemstone Meaning & History The word garnet comes from the Latin word for grain. These are believed to refer to the garnet crystals in their raw form or perhaps to the granular form of the red, grainy fruit of the pomegranate. Garnet is mentioned in ancient Egyptian and Roman texts and has been used for thousands of years. Garnet is used not only as jewelry, but also as a protective and healing amulet. Dark red garnet jewelry was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. January birthstone color ~ deep red   &  various colors The January birthstone color is usually deep red. It also comes in orange, brown, black, green, yellow, and pink. Where is Garnet found? Source, Composition, Jewelry and Variety The name garnet actually refers to a group of minerals with a similar crystalline and chemical composition. Some of the...