Gemstones aren't just for birthdays.

I'm sure that most of us think of colored gemstones and think about their birthstone.  The Official List of Birthstones was first established by Jewelers of America in 1912, so birthstone jewelry has been a long established tradition. Today, colored gemstones provide an endless variety of ways for you to express your individuality and are not isolated to being just your birthstone anymore.

GARNET, the birthstone of January, comes in a rainbow of colors. From the fiery orange of Mandarin to the rich green of Tsavorite and the more common red tone of Pyrope, garnet is considered a great gift to symbolize friendship and trust.

Ultra Violet is the 2018 Pantone (a universal color matching system) color of the year and ultra violet-inspired gemstones like  AMETHYST and TANZANITE have been wildly popular and not just for February birthdays. Amethyst colors range from a deep violet and red to a lighter lilac hue.

AQUAMARINE, the birthstone of March, has long been a symbol of youth, health and hope. Its color ranges from pale to deep blue, resembling the sea and is a perfect accent for spring and summer wardrobes.

DIAMOND may be the birthstone of April, but we all know diamonds are used universally and worn by almost everyone. While white diamonds are most common, fancy colored diamonds can be found in a variety of colors including yellow, blue, pink and more.

EMERALD is the birthstone of May and radiates a rich, green tone; the deeper and more vivid the color of green, the more valuable the gemstone. Emeralds are the rarest of gemstones.

June birthdays actually have two birthstones:  PEARL and ALEXANDRITE. Pearl's natural beauty makes it a choice for anyone and has been a popular gift for birthdays, anniversaries and graduations alike. Alexandrite's gemstone color is magical. It changes color based upon the lighting.  Outside in daylight, it is a cool, bluish, mossy green. Inside in lamplight, it is a red gem with a warm, raspberry tone.

RUBY, the birthstone of July, is often referred to as the king of gems and represents love, health and wisdom. It was believed that wearing a fine red ruby brought good fortune on its owner. Distinguished for its bright red color, rubies are very desirable because of their hardness, durability, luster and rarity.

In 2016, Jewelers of America announced that in addition to  PERIDOT, August can also claim SPINEL as its birthstone. Peridot, with its signature lime green color, is believed to instill power and influence in the wearer. Spinel comes in a variety of colors, but the most commercially important are red and pink. Mauve- or lilac-colored spinels are also attractive, and some blue spinel colors can be intense. Spinel is believed to protect the owner from harm and soothe away sadness.

SAPPHIRE, the birthstone of September, is most desired for its pure, rich blue color. While a sapphire's color is typically blue, natural "fancy" sapphires can also be found in yellow, purple, orange, and green. Sapphires are believed to guarantee good health, innocence and truth.

October is another month with two birthstones:  TOURMALINE and OPAL. Tourmaline is a favorite gemstone for many because it's available in a rainbow of beautiful colors. Opal gemstones are truly unique because each individual gem is adorned with a one-of-a-kind color combination.

November birthdays are also associated with two gems:  CITRINE and TOPAZ. The warm color of citrine is said to be a gift from the sun and is believed to be a healing gemstone. Topaz is most desired in its rich orange color but is also found in a variety of deep colors like blue, pink and yellow.

December has three birthstones:  TANZANITE, ZIRCON and TURQUOISE, all of which are a unique shade of blue. Tanzanite has a rich, violet-blue color, and can range from blue to purple and is often purchased as a less expensive substitute for sapphire. Zircon is available in many colors, including blue, orange, yellow, green, brown and red and is thought to relieve pain, according to folk wisdom. Turquoise has a wide range of blue colors from sky blue to greenish blue, and it can be translucent to opaque.

Find all of these amazing gemstones in our store whether you are buying a birthday gift, a colored gemstone engagement ring or a gift for yourself with your favorite colored stone. Imagine all the colorful possibilities and we'll create it for you!

- Ben