An Overview of Birthstones

Although a connection between gemstones and the months of the year has been traced back as far as the first century, evolving interpretations have prompted the association of multiple birthstones with each month of the year. Jewelry incorporating a person’s birthstone is a highly personalized and cherished gift. Here we examine the birthstone associated with each month of the year based on commonly accepted modern birthstone interpretations:

January: Best recognized for their rich reddish brown color, Garnets actually span a range of colors including orange, violet, green and yellow. It is perhaps due to the deep red color common to this coveted gem that it was long associated with healing powers for blood related ailments.

February: February’s birthstone, Amethyst, gets its name from the Greek term “amethystos,” which means not drunk. Historically associated with sobriety, the amethyst is a type of quartz occurring naturally in rocks and appearing in various shades of purple.

March: March’s birthstone, the Aquamarine, has been associated with courage and happiness. With hues ranging from pastel blue to teal to deep blue, it is apparent why the Aquamarine’s name is derived from the Latin terms meaning “sea” and “water.” The bloodstone is another commonly accepted birthstone for March.

April: April boasts possibly the most desirable birthstone, the diamond. Highly regarded worldwide for its unmatched beauty, strength and historical significance, April’s birthstone is also given as a symbol of love and impending marriage today.

May: Vibrant green characterizes May’s birthstone, the emerald. Emeralds comprise the green variety of the mineral beryl, while March’s birthstone Aquamarine is beryl’s blue variety. Emeralds have historically been associated with good luck and long life and have been thought to aid in eye health.

June: The modern June birthstone is the pearl. Pearls are the only birthstones that are created by a living organism, the oyster. An oyster will secrete nacre, an iridescent, lustrous substance, onto a foreign object as a natural defense mechanism, a process that can eventually form a pearl. Today, most pearls are cultured pearls, or pearls that are created after humans introduce irritants to prompt oysters to secrete nacre in a controlled environment.

July: Though July’s birthstone, the Ruby, is associated with a deep red, the natural Ruby can range from pink to brown. The Ruby was in ancient times considered to possess magical powers and was believed to change colors to warn its owner of danger. Ruby’s vibrant color, hardness second only to diamonds and rarity make it one of the most valuable gemstones.

August: Peridot, the modern August birthstone, ranges in color from light yellow-green to bright green to olive green, depending on its iron content. The Peridot is an extremely old gem, though it has seen fluctuations in popularity over time. A mid 90s discovery of a massive Peridot deposit prompted a modern day surge in Peridot availability and popularity.

September: September’s birthstone, the sapphire, can span many colors but is most well-known for its rich blue variety.

October: The birthstone of October is the Opal, a highly regarded stone emitting a rainbow of colors. The Opal is admired for its iridescence and, unlike other gemstones, is not characterized by a crystalline structure.

November: The modern birthstone of November is Topaz. Topaz, occurring in a variety of colors but most commonly yellow, has been incorporated into striking jewelry for hundreds of years. Derived from a Sanskrit term meaning “fire,” the term Topaz was at one time used to describe any yellow gem.

December: Turquoise may be the most commonly accepted birthstone for December today, though blue topaz and tanzanite are also associated with the month of December. Like many stones, turquoise has historically been linked to desirable virtues. This non-transparent stone has been said to promote mental clarity as well as trust and kindness.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings and other diamond platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

World Famous Diamonds

The most famous diamonds in the world carry with them rich histories of the fortune and calamity of the lives which they have touched throughout time. Some world renowned diamonds have made the journey through the hands of royalty over centuries while others have only been unearthed in recent decades. Here we examine a few of the most coveted diamonds that have ever been discovered.

-The Hope Diamond: Perhaps the most well-known diamond in the United States, the Hope diamond endured hundreds of years and passed through several owners before it was donated by Harry Winston Inc. to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. This 45.52 carat dark grayish blue cushion antique cut diamond has long been thought to bestow upon its owners a curse of tragedy and misfortune.

-The Cullinan Diamond: The largest rough diamond ever unearthed, the original Cullinan was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and weighed an astonishing 3,106 carats. The Cullinan diamond, named after the owner of the mining company where it was discovered, was later cut into 105 diamonds, the most notable of which is the pear shaped Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa diamond, weighing 530.2 carats. For many years the Star of Africa was known as the largest cut diamond in the world, though in recent years this record has been surpassed by The Golden Jubilee, at 545.67 carats, and a nameless fancy black diamond weighing in at 555.55 carats.

-The Regent Diamond: Thought by many to be the most stunning diamond worldwide, the perfectly cut Regent Diamond has a history of both prestige and voracity. The Regent was originally called the Pitt after Sir Thomas Pitt, a governor who purchased the diamond in the 1700s and had it cut and polished into the cushion shaped, 140.5 carat diamond in the French Royal Treasury today. Becoming known as the Regent in 1717 when it was purchased for the French Crown, the Regent Diamond has adorned the Crown of Louis XV and the sword of Napoleon Bonaparte.

-The Centenary Diamond: Esteemed by diamond connoisseurs for its purity and color, the Centenary Diamond was discovered at the Premier Mine in July of 1986. Weighing 599.10 carats in the rough, the Centenary Diamond was carefully cut by Gabi Tolkowsky into the present day 273.85 carat modern cut flawless diamond residing since 1991 at the Tower of London.

-The Orlov (sometimes called Orloff): This uniquely shaped diamond was set in the Imperial Sceptre during the reign of Catherine the Great in the late 1700s. The shape of this bluish green tinted diamond weighing in at 189.62 carats has been widely likened to that of half of a pigeon’s egg. The distinctive shape of the Orlov leads many to believe that there exists a counterpart that has yet to be discovered.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings and other diamond platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

Considerations for Diamond Ring Shopping

While shopping for diamond engagement or eternity rings, many buyers are surprised by the large number of diamond ring options available. Whether you are purchasing a ring from a retailer or designing a ring to be crafted by a jeweler, a number of decisions must be made in selecting the perfect diamond ring. Besides being familiar with the 4 Cs which affect the value and appearance of a diamond—cut, color, clarity and carat weight—the following considerations may also help you in your search for the perfect diamond ring:

-What diamond shape do I prefer? Perhaps the first decision in selecting a diamond ring is which diamond shape you are seeking. Diamond cutters craft diamonds in several shapes for diamond rings, some of which are round, princess, marquise, pear, and oval. The shape of a diamond determines its outward appearance, and you will likely realize a natural preference for a particular shape as you shop. Some rings have one central diamond, as in the traditional engagement ring, while others have several diamonds that may be the same or different shapes.
-What type of metal should I choose? Yellow gold, white gold, platinum—there are a number of metals that are common for diamond rings. Platinum is a popular option for engagement rings and eternity rings because of its resilience, though it comes with a higher price tag than other metals. Silver, on the other hand, is prone to corrosion and thus is not the best choice for frequently worn rings such as wedding bands and eternity rings. Discuss with your jeweler the metal that is right for you, taking into consideration its color, durability and resistance to corrosion.

-What setting style do I prefer? Something you will quickly realize when shopping for diamond rings is that diamonds are affixed to rings in a variety of ways. The way that a gem is set and held in place is referred to as its setting. Several setting styles are common for diamond rings, some of which are the bezel setting, channel setting, and prong setting. The shape and size of a diamond and the strength of the metal used may help determine the type of setting that is used in a particular ring.

Perhaps you already have in mind the type of diamond ring you are seeking, or maybe you prefer to explore all of the options until you simply discover the perfect ring. With the multitude of diamond ring styles available, having an idea of the shape, type of metal and setting style you prefer can help you in your quest for the diamond ring that best suits your taste and personality.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings and other diamond platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

Protect your Jewelry when Traveling

Packing for air travel can be particularly challenging as you attempt to protect your valuable and often sentimental jewelry from harm without sacrificing too much space within your luggage. When you travel with jewelry, you want to ensure that it arrives at your destination and that it remains unharmed. The Transportation Security Administration recommends that airline passengers refrain from wearing jewelry that contains metal to expedite security checkpoints, but also recommends that you keep valuable items including jewelry with you rather than in checked baggage when you travel. Many people do not want to sacrifice having jewelry with them during travel, leading to the need for an efficient and protective way to secure jewelry in a carryon bag or purse.

One way to protect and transport jewelry conveniently is to purchase a jewelry travel case that is equipped to secure and protect the types and quantity of jewelry you will be carrying. Travel cases for jewelry are available from many sources and vary in capacity, price and design. In purchasing a travel case, be sure to take into consideration the types and amount of jewelry that will travel with you, and select a case that will accommodate your needs yet consume minimal space in your luggage.

Packing jewelry safely within your suitcase, however, does not have to involve investing in a jewelry case. You may safely and economically pack your jewelry by securing it with cardboard or heavy paper. Individual necklaces can be packed within cardboard enclosures created by first cutting cardboard rectangles that measure slightly more than twice the length of each chain. This may be accomplished by securing each necklace within two slits that have been cut at one end of each rectangle, and folding the rectangle in half to cover the chain. The cardboard enclosure can then be taped together or placed within a snug baggie that allows the chain minimal space to shift. Earrings and bracelets can be secured with cardboard or heavy paper in a similar manner. The goal is to create a sturdy enclosure that prevents necklaces from becoming entangled and protects all jewelry from harm brought on by potential compression and impact.

Keeping valuable items such as jewelry with you as you travel ensures that they will arrive with you at your destination in the improbable circumstance that your checked baggage does not. Whether you opt for the do-it-yourself approach or purchase a jewelry travel case to meet your needs, be aware that you may request a private security screening if you are traveling with large amounts of valuables and would prefer to protect your privacy.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings and other diamond platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.