If you were born in June, then Alexandite is your birthstone. Alexandrite also commemorates the 45th and 55th wedding anniversaries. Alexandrite is a relative latecomer on the gem scene, not having been discovered until 1830 in the Ural Mountains. Its discovery occured on the same day as the Birthday of Czar Alexander II, in the same year that he ascended the throne. It is for this reason that Alexandrite has been named in his honor.
Alexandrite displays a phenomina called color shift. This rare occurance causes Alexandrite to shift color from red or purple to green depending on the type of light it is viewed under. The Russians regarded Alexandrite as a lucky stone, since its dual coloration of red and green echoed the military uniform of czarist Russia.
Alexandrite is a member of the chrysoberyl mineral group. Alexandrite has a hardness of 8.50 and a specific gravity of 3.71. Although discovered in Russia most Alexandrite is now found in Brazil.
If you were born in February, then Amethyst is your birthstone. Amethyst also commemorates the 4th and 6th wedding anniversaries. Amethyst has been known from antiquity, being found in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman jewelry. The word, amethyst is derived from a Greek word that means "not to intoxicate". The Greeks believed that drinking from an amethyst cup would prevent drunkenness. Amethyst was also believed to protect soldiers in battle; consequently, weapons set with amethyst have been discovered in sites throughout the Mediteranean Sea region.
Amethyst is a purple gemstone, but spans the shades of purple from lavender to a deep purple that almost appears black. Darker amethyst is considered to be the most valuable. The majority of dark purple amethyst is found in Africa, particularly in Namibia and Zambia. Small deposits have also been recently found in the Southwestern United States.
Amethyst is a member of the quartz mineral group. Amethyst has a hardness of 7 and a specific gravity of 2.66. Amethyst is most commonly found in Africa and South America.
Ametrine is a rare, natural blend of citrine and amethyst. The combination of amethyst and citrine creates a two-tone effect called color zoning, and this effect makes each ametrine unique. Ametrine is also a single source mineral, and as such is very rare and difficult to obtain. The only known source for ametrine is the Anahi Mine in Bolivia. Ametrine was closely guarded and controlled by the Bolivian government until 1989, when the government relinquished control of the mine.
Ametrine
is a member of the quartz mineral group. Ametrine has a hardness of 7 and a
specific gravity of 2.66. Ametrine is only found at the Anahi Mine in Bolivia.
Amber is technically an organic, not a gemstone. It is the fossilized sap of prehistoric trees that grew over fifty million years ago. Amber is most commonly available in a golden orange yellow; but green, white, black, red and violet amber are also naturally occuring. Amber occasionally holds insects or plant materials that were trapped inside of it millions of years ago. Any irregularities in a piece of amber add considerably to its interest and value.
Amber
was known and prized throughout the ancient world. During the Mycenaean era,
the ancient city of Troy had control of trade routes to the Baltic Sea, and
in consequence, had become rich by controlling all exports of amber into the
ancient world. Historically, the event that was mytholigized and rhapsodized
as the Trojan War was probably a war to gain control over the amber trade.
Amber has a hardness of 2 and a specific gravity of 1.08. Amber is found in the Baltic Sea region and throughout Scandinavia.
If you were born in March, then Aquamarine is your birthstone. Aquamarine also commemorates the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries. Aquamarine derives its name from the Latin word for seawater, and has a long association with the sea. In Greco-Roman times, sailors would carry a piece of aquamarine while at sea. They believed that aquamarine would help provide a safe voyage and protect them from sea monsters. Roman sailors believed that tossing a piece of aquamarine into the sea would appease Neptune, the god of the seas.
Aqaumarine
is found in several shades of blue ranging from light to medium. Aquamarine
does occur in a sea green color but this is virtually impossible to find today.
A cat's eye aquamarine is also natuarally occuring; it is always cut as a cabochon
and is exceedingly rare.
Aquamarine is a member of the beryl mineral group. Aquamarine has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 and a specific gravity of 2.72. Aquamarine is found in South America, Africa and China.
If you were born in November, then Citrine is your birthstone. Citrine also commemorates the 13th wedding anniversary. Citrine occasionally appears in Roman jewelry, but the name comes from the French word "citron," meaning yellow. In antiquity, citrine was believed to enhance pychic powers among shamans. It is also associated with youth, vitality and cheerfulness.
Citrine
may be found in a wide color range of pale yellow to a deep, rich orange. Darker
citrine is considered to be the most valuable. The finest citrine is called
Madeira citrine and is a deep red orange color, similar to the wine with which
it shares a name.
Citrine is a member of the quartz mineral group. Citrine has a hardness of 7 and a specific gravity of 2.66. Citrine is most commonly found in Brazil and Bolivia.