If you were born in February, your birthstone is amethyst – the purple variety of quartz that has captivated mankind for millennia. Its lilac to deep purple hues can be cut into many shapes and sizes, and it can be manufactured in a lab as well as mined. Amethyst, the February birthstone, can be found in the collections of royal families throughout Europe and Asia. Now it’s within reach of most...

Gems as birthstones are a tradition going back deep into the mists of time.  But did you know that there are multiple choices and multiple ways to choose for picking out your birthstone? Birthstones are precious gems that represent the time of the year in which you were born. But there are two different ways to choose. First, you can choose your gemstone based on the month in which you...

For babies born in January, garnet is a colorful gemstone to start the New Year. Those born in January are lucky to have the beautiful and diverse garnet as their birthstone. Garnets are commonly red but also come in an extraordinary range of beautiful colors, including orange, yellow, purple and vibrant green. There are even garnets that change color from blue to purple in different lighting. Some believe the true value...