Turquoise, Zircon or Tanzanite? Why Just Choose One? December IS the Season for Giving

It’s almost like when the end of the year rolled around; whoever was figuring out the birthstone calendar ran out of months before they ran out of stones! And so, if you were born during the month of December you get to choose from not one, not two but three exciting and colorful stones!

Turquoise cabochons from SouthSouthWest

Turquoise was the original stone chosen back in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers while in 1952 zircon was added and then in 2002 tanzanite was also included. But no matter when or why, if you are a Sagittarius or Capricorn, there is an awesome array of stones to mix and match into gorgeous custom jewelry designs just as special and unique as the wearer.

Turquoise
With all the holiday hustle and bustle, you might want to stock up on traditional turquoise. Said to bring a sense of calming serenity to the wearer, lore has it that turquoise can also bring happiness, good fortune and prosperity, properties we can all use more of and wish for this time of year.

Zircon
While zircon is naturally found in a wide variety of colors, the one associated with December is the starlight blue stone. Regular naturally shaded zircon is heated in an oxygen free environment, turning the drab yellow, green or brown stones into a gorgeous sky blue. Zircons are also good jewels for the holidays since they are said to protect travelers and guarantee a deep sound sleep.

Tanzanite
Another gem that is often heat treated to achieve its rich violet blue color is tanzanite. In the past, tanzanite was frequently substituted for sapphire. But since being named a December birthstone alternative, they are now standing on their own as a popular gemstone valued for their beauty and brilliance.

Tanzanite and diamond ring by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Whether a gift for someone else or that special holiday treat for yourself, any one of these three stones make the perfect birthday present. Or maybe consider mixing the stones for a very unique and interesting visual.

November’s Birthstone is Topaz or Citrine - Stones of Fire, Ice and Success

Topaz stones are as colorful as the people born during the month of November who wear them. From Sanskit meaning fire, the brilliant topaz is said to also possess supernatural powers to calm and cool everything from boiling water to white hot anger. And if you know many people who can claim topaz as their birthstone, you probably know firsthand about that anger!

14k gold Chiseled ring with Imperial Topaz by Danielle Miller Jewelry

While topaz is the hardest of all silicate minerals and fairly easy to mine, they can be costly depending on their size and coloring, with red being the rarest. The largest topaz weighing in at almost 600 pounds was mined in Brazil and is now on display at the New York American Museum of Natural History. While Brazil is the largest supplier of topaz, the gem can also be found in Pakistan, Japan and Scotland and here in America in Colorado and California.

Blue and light golden are the two most recognized colors, but topaz is also available in red, pink, orange and even black which is really interesting since pure topaz is a colorless stone. Coloring occurs when the stones experience element substitutions, chemical bonding and heat through tiny cracks and defects.

For those wanting the beauty of imperial topaz without the cost consider citrine instead. A yellow variety of quartz, citrine can be a pale lemon to deep orange-gold and is likely named from the French word for lemon "citron" or the Latin word "citrus."

Citrine Charm necklace by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Citrine has many positive attributes such as its healing properties on the digestive system, degenerative diseases and depression. It is also said to bring success, prosperity and generosity, which  is why its nicknamed the "Success Stone" and the "Merchant's Stone."

Citrine gained popularity during the Art Deco period and became quite popular with many of the Hollywood stars of the day like Greta Garbo. In the late 1980’s the world’s largest citrine was mined in Brazil. Coming in at over 20,000 carats it has exceptional color and clarity and is presently part of the Programa Royal Collections of Spain.

Topaz and citrine both bring so many unique properties to the table with their clarity, fire, durability and plethora of shades. Consider having a brooch, bracelet, ring or necklace designed for yourself or that someone special since the holidays are right around the corner.

October’s Birthstones: All the Colors of the Rainbow!

Opals are the primary birthstones for the month of October and they are absolutely gorgeous! So full of rich brilliance…in fact the word opal comes from the Greek word Opallos meaning “to see a flash of color.” Opals are a kaleidoscope of hues because of the way light plays on the stones’ tiny structural imperfections. Milky white opals are created by gas bubbles trapped within the stone, while greens, blues and reds are most often seen in black opals due to the presence of magnesium oxides. One of the coolest and rarest stones is the harlequin opal, a jewel featuring large patches of color reminiscent of a clown’s costume.

Photo courtesy of Opal Auctions ("How to Buy Opals on the Internet")

Opals reflect a sense of innocence and purity. Lore has it that the wearer of an opal is blessed with happiness, loyalty and confidence. This fabulous stone is also said to inspire both dreams and the imagination.

Brought into the birthstone family in 1952 as an October alternative was pink tourmaline; but over the years all the tourmaline colors have become acceptable. Some of the most popular tourmaline gemstones are bi-colored or tri-colored, with clear color distinctions. For example, watermelon tourmaline, when cut, features a pink center, a white ring and a green outside edge. Some of the even more unusual ones include tiny black specks that resemble watermelon seeds.

14k gold Chiseled Ring with Pink Tourmaline by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Tourmaline is mined around the world with some of most stunning blue stones found right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Brazil has given us gemstones in a plethora of colors while Zambia, Nigeria and Namibia are all also big suppliers.
The richness and variety of both stones give those born in October a huge variety of options and look fantastic set in a wide range of metals and designs.

September’s Birthstone Makes Me Blue/Green with Envy

Oh to have been born during the month of September for no other reason than to be able to claim the brilliant sapphire as a birthstone! These rich stones come in a wide variety of blue/green/violet shadings and look fabulous when surrounded by white gold, platinum, palladium or sterling silver. The most valued stones are those which are a medium to dark indigo or have a slight violet tint. One interesting fact about sapphires is they have the same chemical and structural makeup as the ruby which is July’s birthstone.

Blue Sapphire and White Gold Vine Engagement Ring by Danielle Miller Jewelery

Sapphires have a wide and rich history. These gemstones were discovered on the Greek island of Sappherine and also in what is now present day Iran. During the Middle Ages sapphires were believed to help keep the wearer pure and priests wore them as protection against impure thoughts and worldly temptations. Crusaders made their wives wear them while they were away in battle so they would remain faithful. Lore had it that if the stone was worn by an adulteress, the color would darken.

The British Crown Jewels housed in the Tower of London has one of the world’s most famous stones, the St. Edward’s Sapphire. Given to Edward the Confessor back in 1042, he worn it as a ring during his coronation and then in the early 1800’s the stone was set on the Imperial State Crown worn by Queen Victoria during her reign.

Sapphires are mined all across the world, from Sri Lanka, India, China, Brazil and even here in the United States. Montana sapphires, first discovered in the late 1800's by a gold miners, are the most well known US mined sapphires. However, a huge 9,700 carat stone was discovered in the North Carolina mountains in 1989.

Extremely durable, gorgeous in color and sensational in every setting, a sapphire is the perfect stone no matter when you celebrate your birthday!

The many colors of August---the birthstone choice is yours

People born in the month of August are so lucky! They get the choice of either peridot or sardonyx for their birthstone.

Vine Ring with pear-shaped peridot by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Peridot is a gorgeous green shaded stone sometimes mistaken for an emerald. In fact many times it’s referred to as an “evening emerald” since the finer quality peridots become brighter when viewed under artificial light. The color spectrum for peridot range from light green to hazel brown, with the colors usually seen in contemporary jewelry being lime greens and olives.

One of the oldest gemstones of record, it is thought that the “topaz” mentioned in the Old Testament was actually peridot. And the ancient Egyptians and Greeks both used peridot in jewelry, weapons and talismans. It has always been regarded as a symbol of the sun and was believed that wearing peridot brought royal dignity and kept away evil spirits.

Peridot is formed deep in the earth and has been brought to the surface by volcanoes that erupted thousands of years ago. Today’s gemstones are mined primarily in China, Pakistan and here in the United States they are found in Arizona and New Mexico.

If green isn’t your color then check out the richness and brilliance of sardonyx. These stones are a member of the silica family and most are white, gray or cream banded with brown/red/rust layers. In fact, the word “sardonyx” comes from two Greek words, “sard” meaning reddish brown and “onyx” meaning veined gem.

Sardonyx

In addition to being used in August birthstone jewelry, sardonyx is most often seen in both cameos and intaglios. Sardonyx is mined throughout the world, with the highest quality stones found in India.

Both peridot and sardonyx are relatively inexpensive stones that offer a classy and timeless look in everything from rings to pendants. Or why not consider combining both stones in something like a stunning custom designed bracelet?

The Weather is Hot and so is the Ruby Birthstone!

Those fortunate to be born during one of the hottest months of the year, have the honor of wearing one of the most sizzling birthstones around. Rubies range in shading from fire red to a scarlet so deep and rich it’s almost violet and look fabulous surrounded by white or yellow gold, sterling silver or platinum. Rubies are also one of those stones that sparkle by themselves or are just as stunning mounted singularly.

Lore has it wearing rubies brings good health, increased wealth and success in love and relationships. Also people who wear the July birthstone are thought have integrity, courage and are full of confidence, vitality and both physical and emotional strength. Rubies are considered a positive stone; one that increases positive thought patterns and lessens the severity of infection and certain blood disorders. In fact, during medieval times rubies were ground to a fine powder and ingested to treat digestive disorders and stop internal bleeding.

Second only to diamonds in hardness, rubies belong to the corundum or aluminum oxide family and are primarily mined in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma and India. Rubies are so plentiful in Thailand and Burma that both of these countries consider the ruby their national stone. Here in the United States rubies are rarely found but some of the finest one’s on record have been discovered in both North Carolina and Montana.

True rubies are very expensive and because of that, many of the stones available today are lab-grown. These synthetic stones are also used as tiny bearings in self winding wristwatches, turntable styluses and in the scientific community as an important component to the ruby laser used in military rangefinding.

"Tulip Ring" with lab-grown ruby by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Whether real or synthetic, if you were born during the heat of the summer, why not consider a piece of jewelry that packs the same amount of fire and passion?

Pearls, Moonstone or Alexandrite? June Birthstone the Choice is Yours!

Leaf Earrings with Pearl by Danielle Miller Jewelry

The first and most popular birthstone for the month of June is the pearl. This organic gem is so versatile! From pearl earrings to a pendant, necklace, bracelet or a gorgeous ring featuring one or more stones, pearls were once harvested mainly from saltwater oysters. Now most of the pearls used in jewelry today are categorized as “cultured” and are mass produced in thriving oyster farms, both fresh and saltwater.

White or cream are the most popular shadings for pearls, but these days it’s not unusual to see them also available in wide color palette including pinks, black, blue, lavender and green.

While pearls have been used for medicinal purposes since as early as 2000 BC, in many parts of Asia, even to this day, lower grade pearls are ground and used in different potions and salves.

If you think pearls are too traditional then why not check out a moonstone? From the family of feldspar minerals, moonstones got their name from the opalescent and luminous quality caused by light diffraction within the stone. The highest quality moonstones are mined in Sri Lanka but can also be found in India, Madagascar and the Alps. Folklore has it that moonstones bring good fortune to the wearer because of spirits that are believed to inhabit the stones.

Chiseled Rainbow Moonstone Ring by Danielle Miller Jewelry

Perhaps you want a stone that reflects your changing personality, then alexandrite is the one for you. A brilliant green, many times with either a blue or brown tint when viewed in natural light, alexandrite change and appears violet with reddish highlights under artificial light.

Alexandrites are very sturdy stones, only diamonds, sapphires and rubies are harder. They are difficult to mine and considered a fairly rare and uncommon stone. Like its partner moonstone, Sri Lanka is home to the best and largest alexandrites. Synthetic alexandrite has been produced but only with limited success because the color change was unable to be reproduced.

Alexandrite Gemstones

People with June birthdays are so lucky! From traditional to rare, people born during the month of June can choose a birthstone as unique as their personality!

The Magical Properties of May’s Birthstone - Emerald

During the Middle Ages it was believed that emeralds held the ability to predict the future. Many also thought wearing emeralds would grant patience, insure youth and good fortune and were a symbol of rebirth. While the soothing color of the stone was believed to rejuvenate the eyes, stop bleeding and prevent epilepsy.

Taken from the Greek word, “smaragdos” which loosely translates as green stones, emeralds originally were worn by royalty including Queen Cleopatra and Atahualpa, the final Inca King of Peru whose headdress was the Crown of the Andes, a magnificent piece set with over 1,523 carats of high quality emeralds. The ancient Romans associated emeralds with the goddess Venus because they believed the stones represented the earth’s seasonal rebirth while early Christians saw them as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. All this makes sense since the natural shadings found in emeralds makes one think of Mother Nature awakening after a long cold winter.

While the most famous emerald mines, producing the world’s largest and highest quality stones are located in Colombia, South America, Zambia is the second largest producer. Emeralds are also mined in Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Norway and here in the United States the stones can be found in North Carolina.

Usually discovered inside shale which is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, an emerald’s color is caused by trace amounts of chromium and iron. Unlike many other gemstones, the inclusions and additional flaws found in emeralds are considered part of the stone’s character. Many natural emeralds are soaked in a green-colored oil to help define their shading and luster. Over the years as the stone begins to dull a quick soak in mineral oil can help return the emerald to its original shine.

Because of their coloring, emeralds work well set in all types of metals. But don’t surround them with too many other stones, emeralds are so rich and elegant, they need to shine on their own! So get your green on and have Danielle custom design an emerald piece just for you!

Diamonds are an (April Birthday) Girl’s Best Friend

Four diamond Chiseled Ring

April! What a wonderful month! The weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming and if you are lucky enough to have been born during this glorious month then you have the king of the gemstones, the diamond, as your birthstone.

The hardest natural occurring mineral, diamonds are four times harder than the next rated gemstone. They have high refraction, unusual brilliance, intense fire and while traditionally known as a classic colorless stone, colored diamonds have reached a new popularity. Available in hues of pink, red, yellow, blue and green all ranging in different levels of intensity, the more saturated the color, the higher the value. Because intensely colored diamonds are very rare many of the stones sold today have been chemically treated and technically should be marketed as “color-treated diamonds.” When considering the purchase of a shaded diamond it’s important to ask if any color enhancements have been added. Although, round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular, antique cut diamonds are also gaining popularity again, such as Rose cut, Old Mine cut and European cut.

Rose Cut diamond, natural burgundy color - Nugget Pendant

Diamonds start life deep inside the Earth using a combination of heat, pressure and carbon molecules. Volcanic activity brings them to the surface and while diamonds were first mined mainly in India, most of the diamonds discovered today are from Australia, Africa and Russia.

The word diamond comes from the Greek and means “invincible.” The stones were believed to hold magical powers against poisoning, devils and phantoms and were worn during battle as a symbol of strength and courage. The ancient Greeks also believed the fire of a diamond signified everlasting love. This idea spread and then in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria started the tradition of giving a diamond as a promise of marriage when he presented a diamond ring to his intended, Mary of Burgundy.

Vine Engagement Ring

Today the beauty of this gemstone looks fabulous no matter the piece or the price range. From a small simple bracelet or brooch to a cocktail ring with a stone the size of a marble, diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend!

Born in March? Take Your Pick!

Folks with a birth date in the month of March have the option of choosing one of two very different stones to honor their birth month. While Aquamarine is the modern stone for the month of March, a perfectly acceptable alternative is Bloodstone.

Aquamarines are often called the “poor man’s diamond” and fluctuate in shades from deep blue to (obviously) aqua. Prices for Aquamarines can vary drastically due to the fact that naturally occurring deep blue stones are very rare; while yellow beryl stones can easily be transformed into blue aquamarines; lowering the cost. And just like our February birthstone, Amethyst; Aquamarines are found here in the states of Maine and North Carolina, while Russia, Brazil and India are the largest providers of international Aquamarines.

This gorgeous stone was coined by the Romans who believed they washed ashore from the jewel chests owned by the daughters of the river god Achelous. Sailors have great faith in Aquamarines and to this day still use them as protection against the perils and dangers often encountered at sea. While on land Roman citizens thought the stones possessed medicinal and healing powers to cure ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws and throat. During the Middle Ages they were used as an antidote against poison and then many years later in Germany, Aquamarines were fashioned into eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness.

Aqua Crown Ring

Ice Princess Ring

For those born in the latter part of March, Bloodstone is often the birthstone of choice. This dark-green stone speckled with flecks of vivid red of is usually mined from rocks or riverbeds in India, Brazil and Australia.

Often Bloodstone is called the “martyr’s stone” due to the myth that it was created when as Christ was on the cross drops of His blood stained the surrounding jasper stones. Bloodstones, like Aquamarines are thought to have healing properties especially for blood disorders.

Bloodstone cabochon by Creative Cabs

Either stone choice makes a stunning and rich statement and work perfectly surrounded by everything from platinum to brass. These are birthstones definitely worn with pride! ---And I should know because it is my birthstone!  :)

Amethyst: February’s Birthstone is the Stone of Royalty

Amethyst’s history is as rich as its brilliant purple coloring. It has been said that both Cleopatra and Saint Valentine favored amethyst. Cleopatra wore an amethyst signet ring while St. Valentine’s stone was engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid, a coincidence that Valentine’s Day is in February?

Amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk” and while it was possibly believed that wearing amethyst would keep one from becoming intoxicated, most likely the Greeks were referring to the stone’s almost wine-like color. Will one of the remaining birthstones help ward off hangovers? Also symbolic of spirituality and piety, many people believe the wearing of amethyst allow one to channel positive universal energy.

Effervescence Pendant with amethyst

To be a true amethyst the stone must be purple though varying shades from deep violet to pure, clear lavender are perfectly acceptable. A member of the quartz family, amethysts are unique to different locales and many times gem experts can often identify the particular region, and in some cases even the particular mine a stone originated from. Historically the majority of amethysts were mined in Russia and were featured prominently in many royal jewels. Today while most amethyst are imported from Brazil and Zambia some stones are mined right here in the United States particularly in Maine, North Carolina and Colorado.

You’ll mainly see amethyst stones set as brilliant round cuts due to the often patchiness of their color distribution. Other shapes are permissible when the color is more uniform, but remember, all amethyst is always purple. "Green amethyst" has gained a lot of popularity recently, however, this name is misapplied. Green amethyst is indeed a member of the quartz family, but the true name for this leek green gem is Prasiolite.

With amethyst an affordable stone, it’s easy to invest in a stunning piece and feel like royalty every time you wear it!

Garnet - a friendly and fruitful birthstone for January

Google “the history of birthstones” and the results are wide and varied. Everything from Middle Age fortune tellers trying to control superstitious people (of which there were many during those days) by having them wear certain gems, to biblical history that eventually became linked to the twelve zodiac signs. Then in 1912 the National Association of Jewelers finalized the gemstone list that is used to this day and along with it, the specific traits that each stone is thought to signify.

"Porta" Enhancer with Rhodolite Garnet

The name garnet comes from the Latin word granatum which means seed and coupled with the stone’s color is said to resemble a pomegranate's hue. The first reference to garnets as a valued gemstone can be found in historical documents over 5,000 years old and because of its deep scarlet shading, garnets during that time in history were associated with war and victory. Now the red garnet symbolizes love, passion, friendship and loyalty which mesh perfectly with the personality traits of someone with a January birthday. Capricorns are said to be romantic, loyal, sensitive and ambitious.

Garnets are mined all over the world and are found in a variety of colors. While January’s garnet is almost always deep red, your birthstone just like your personality should sparkle with individualism, so don’t be afraid to take a little liberty with convention and select a green, yellow or orange garnet.

Ring with Tsavorite Garnet