Birthstone series – December

The three birthstones associated with December are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise.

Discovered in the late 1960′s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue colour for which the gemstone is treasured ; usually it is heat-treated to achieve this colour. Colours range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices. As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as an alternative. However, it has increased in popularity and now is valued more for its own beauty and brilliance than as a sapphire substitute.

Derived from the Arabic words “zar” and “gun”, meaning gold and colour, zircon is found in a wide range of colours such as: blue, yellow, orange, brown, green, colourless, and red (the most prized colour). For many years colourless zircon was used to imitate diamonds. Folk wisdom grants zircon the power to relieve pain, whet the appetite, protect travellers from disease and injury, to ensure a warm welcome, and to prevent nightmares – thereby guaranteeing a deep, tranquil sleep. Major sources of zircon are the Chanthaburi area of Thailand, the Palin area of Cambodia, and the southern part of Vietnam.

The name turquoise, from the French expression “Pierre tourques” or “Turkish stone”, originated in the thirteenth century and describes one of the oldest known gemstones. Turquoise varies in colour from greenish blue, through robin’s egg-blue, to sky blue shades, and its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque. Turquoise is plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes. It is most often used for beads, cabachons, carvings, and inlays. Although its popularity fluctuates in fashion, it is a perennial favourite in the American Southwest.

Birthstone Series – November

Two gems are appropriate for November birthdays – Topaz and Citrine.

Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colours. Prized for several thousand years in antiquity, all yellow gems in antiquity were called Topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smokey quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized colour of topaz is called Imperial Topaz after the Russian czars of the 1800′s and features a magnificent orange body colour with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and the many popular blue tones.

Citrine, the other birthstone for November is known as the “healing quartz”. This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy, and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is most often found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.

Birthstone series – October

October is another month with two birthstone choices – opal and tourmaline.

The name opal is derived from the Greek word “Opallos”, meaning “to see a change(of colour)”. Opals range in colour from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal’s beauty is the product of contrast between its colour play and its background, thereby allowing it to diffract light into flashes of rainbow colours. It has been revered as a symbol of hope, fidelity, and purity; as well it is a traditional gift for the 14th wedding anniversary. A major source of opal production is Australia.

Tourmaline is perhaps the most diverse gemstone available, possessing a dazzling array of colours. Moreover, there are bi-coloured and even tri-coloured tourmalines available where two or three colours appear side by side in the same gemstone. It is the chosen gift for the 8th wedding anniversary; it is esteemed as a gem of enlightenment and resolution; and it is believed to foster compassion and composure. Tourmalines are found in many localities, including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.

Birthstone Series – September

The birthstone for September is blue sapphire. It has been a popular gemstone since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm.  Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought that the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as shades of pure blue. The most prized colours are a medium to medium-dark blue or slightly violetish-blue. Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all clours of the rainbow.  However, the red variety of corundum is known as ruby. Corundum ranks # 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (0-10) and as such is very durable. Only diamond at #10 is harder. Sapphires are found in many countries. The finest ones have historically been found in Kashmir. Today that source has been virtually depleted; Sri Lanka (Ceylon)is known today to be the source of some of the finest qualities available. Lady Diana was given a beautiful sapphire diamond ring for her betrothal.

Birthstone Series – August

August has traditionally had two birthstones: Peridot and Sardonyx. The former has been predominant in modern times; the latter not so much.

Peridot has had numerous magical powers and healing characteristics ascribed to it. Presumably, it will protect against nightmares and bring its owner power, influence, and good fortune. Peridot is a gemstone formed deep within the earth, often being brought to the surface with volcanoes. One country of origin has been  Hawaii where peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.  Today, most peridot comes from Arizona, China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This lovely gemstone comes in several colour variations ranging from yellowish green to brown; most consumers however are attracted to the bright lime greens and olive greens.

Sardonyx is a form of onyx and is recognized by its layers of reddish brown and white banding. It was popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans who carried into battle talismans of sardonyx engraved with images of heroes such as Mars or Hercules, believing that this would bring courage and victory. Sardonyx has also been used to fashion cameos (carved raised figures) and intaglios (the reverse of cameos). It has been sourced in many countries including India, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, and the United States.

Birthstone series – July

Giving a ruby to celebrate a July birthday is a wonderful way to express your love. The 17th century poet, Robert Herrick, made allusion to both passion and the gem’s colour when he wrote:

“Some asked me where the rubies grew,

And nothing I did say;

But with my finger pointed to

The lips of Julia.”

Rubies are said to arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and guarantee health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love. Ruby is a variety of the gem species corundum. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond (sapphire is also a variety of corundum, and therefore has the same hardness as ruby). Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and its colour is most important to its value. The most prized colour is a medium or medium-dark, vivid red, sometimes referred to as “pigeon blood”.

Rubies are mentioned in the Bible. Job remarks that “the price of wisdom is above rubies”. It was also chosen to represent one of the twelve tribes of Israel during the Exodus. Sources for rubies include Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Kenya, India, and several other countries.

Pearls of Wisdom

Helen Keller, is the celebrated blind writer and teacher. Never having seen a pearl, she nevertheless wrote the following:

“Once in a dream I held in my hand a pearl.  I have no memory – vision of a real pearl. The one I saw in my dream must, therefore, have been a creation of my imagination. It was a smooth exquisitely molded crystal. I gazed into its shimmering depths; my soul was flooded with an ecstasy of tenderness. I was filled with wonder, as one who should for the first time look into the cool, sweet heart of a rose. My pearl was dew and fire, the velvety green of moss, the soft whiteness of lilies, and the distilled hues and sweetness of a thousand roses. It seemed to me the soul of beauty was dissolved in its crystal.”

What an amazingly sensitive and detailed description of a pearl seen through the “eyes” of this famous and thought-provoking blind woman. This passage most certainly reinforces the notion that a pearl evokes a sense of beauty inside and out.

Birthstone Series – June

June is an interesting month when it comes to birthstones, as there are several designated gemstones for this month. Historically, there are at least three designations although, in latter years, there have been some attempts to add to the list. Pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone, are the three original gems but lately, there have been attempts by some suppliers to add smokey quartz and green tourmaline. For today we will stick to the first three.

Pearls have been used as adornment for centuries. They were one of the favourite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500′s became known as the “pearl age”. Pearls are unique as they are the onlygems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900′s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Since the 1920′s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market. These saltwater cultured pearls are known within the industry as “akoya” pearls. Today we also have beautiful fresh-water cultured pearls, available in many sizes and colours. South Seas cultured pearls or “Tahitian” pearls tend to be somewhat larger (usually over 9mm), and command the highest prices in todays marketplace.

Alexandrite is a relatively modern gemstone, having been first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II. It is an extremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities. Its colour can be a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes to purplish-red in incandescent light. Although it was originally discovered in Russia, there have been some recent discoveries in Brazil.

Moonstone was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone’s appearance altered with the phases of the moon – a belief which lingered until well after the 16th century. A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and may show either a multi-rayed star or a cat’s eye. Considered a sacred stone in India, they are believed to encapsulate within themselves a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune. As part of the family of minerals called feldspar, moonstone occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks and comes in a variety of colours. Moonstones are sourced in Sri Lanka, India, Australia, the U.S., Mayanmar, and Madagascar.

Birthstone series – May

The birthstone for the month of May is emerald. It is also used to celebrate 20th and 35th anniversaries. Emerald is a symbol of rebirth, and it has been believed to grant its owner foresight, good fortune, and youth.

Emerald, derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C.  Rumour had it that Nero gazed through a large emerald while Rome was burning. 

Today, most of the world’s emeralds are mined in Columbia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia. The availablity of high-quality emerald is limited; consequently, treatments to improve clarity and colour are performed regularily. Most emeralds possess visible inclusions, called the jardin, French for gardens, named thus because of its resemblance to delicate foliage. And of course there are never two jardins alike.  Should you be the owner of an emerald, it’s wise to be somewhat cautious while wearing it (especially in a ring), as abrasions, chips, and nicks can occur quite readily. So digging in a garden or playing volleyball on the beach while wearing  your emerald ring would not be recommended. 

Tom Chatham , during the 1950′s, was the early pioneer in synthesizing emeralds. Today, his son Tom heads the company known as Chatham Created Gems. They produce a variety of created gemstones, but are still best known for their “Chatham emeralds”. Stunningly beautiful at a fraction of the price – they would be a wonderful addition to any woman’s jewellery wardrobe.

Birthstone Series – April

Diamond is the birthstone for April.  However, as we all know, many people who buy diamonds are not born in April. Diamonds have become the gemstone of choice for engagement rings, anniversary rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, etc. It has, quite justifiably, become the king of gemstones.

Diamonds are the hardest substance known to humankind, and can only be cut and polished by other diamond material. Industrial-grade diamonds are used in drill-bits for drilling through hard materials.  However, hardness does not equate to toughness. The former equates to resistance to scratching, whereas the latter equates to cohesion. In practical terms, this means that you cannot scratch a diamond except with another diamond, but if you hit it with a hammer, it will likely shatter.

Diamonds are sourced from many countries. Numerous African countries, Australia, Russia, and Canada are all major producers. In fact, Canada has become the number three producer of diamonds based upon value, behind only Botswana and Russia. The source of diamonds has become an issue in the past decade, as some diamonds being produced in Sierra Leone, Angola, and a few other African countries, were being used to fund illicit military activities. These diamonds became known as “conflict” or “blood” diamonds. And although they represented less than 2% of global production, it did become a serious issue to the trade. In response, producers, governments, manufacturers, ngo’s, and others came together to form what has become known as the “Kimberley” process. This proccess effectively curtailed the movement of conflict diamonds to the extent that, today, they are almost completely eliminated from global distribution.

Diamonds are valued based upon the four gemological characteristics known in the trade as the “four C’s”. Carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut quality, are the primary determining factors in establishing a diamond’s value. It is important therefore, when purchasing a diamond, that it have a certificate from a reputable lab, like the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society. Alternatively, a description by an accredited gemologist will also help in making a “buy” decision.

Diamond prices in Canada today are actually somewhat lower than 5-10 years ago. Three reasons account for this. First, diamonds are globally priced in US dollars. Today, our dollar is flirting with parity, thereby giving us more buying power than when we had a 62 cent dollar. Secondly, since 1914, our industry was subject to an excise tax. It was archaic, but the only government to follow through on its promise to abolish the tax was the Harper government. This was accomplished in their first budget, thereby eliminating 10% from the cost of all jewellery. Thirdly, we cannot ignore the effects of the most recent recession. The jewellery industry was especially hard-hit. This resulted in an over-supply of diamonds to the trade, and the severe competition saw diamond prices drop as a result. Therefore, consumers today can effectively buy diamonds at a reduced price as compared to some years ago.

Diamond purchases represent significant events in the lives of the purchaser. Be it for that special birthday, the symbolism of an engagement, the marking of a milestone between two individuals, or the sheer joy of making a self-purchase, they remain one of the finest and long-lasting purchases one can make. As a company, we are privileged to be partakers in the brokering of these special events, and thank-you for allowing us into your lives in such an intimate manner.