Ruby

Rubies are of the corundum mineral type, and part of the hematite family. Rubies are essentially red sapphires, however their red coloring has historically been the most valuable variety. They come in a variety of red shades, the deepest blood red being the most desired. It's no wonder a color so associated with passion is the one that is sought after. What better way to showcase a declaration of eternal love than a intoxicatingly beautiful ruby.

This gem is the birthstone for the month of July, and also is the gem for the astrological sign Capricorn.

Sapphire

Sapphires actually come in many color choices. As we mentioned above the red sapphire is more commonly known as a Ruby. The most popular variety of sapphires is actually blue in color. We love the blue tones the deeper the color often the more shockingly sparkling it becomes, but this of course depends on cut and clarity as well. Color hues in blue go from a bright glistening blue to a dark blue black. A favorite is often the regal royal blue that is timeless and of a medium tone.

This exquisite gem is the birthstone for the month of September and is associated with the Taurus zodiac sign.

Emerald

People born in the month of May have emeralds for their birthstone. This precious gem is also linked with the Cancer zodiac sign.

Topaz

This glowing gem is most noted for it's most two stunning tones: yellow topaz and blue topaz.

Need a little sunshine in your life? Then the yellow topaz is perfect for you; it's a timeless amber like color that has been regarded by both the ancient Romans and Egyptian cultures to be associated with the sun god. Whether you believe in a sun god or not, all of us can lay claim to how important the sun is to us. It's known for it's warming and nurturing qualities. So have the power of the sunshine rays in a gemstone by buying a yellow topaz ring today.

Blue Topaz is the affordable option for a gemstone that looks extremely similar to high grade aquamarine gems. Topaz also comes in more rare shades like pink or red, and because of their rare nature are exceptional and expensive.

Yellow Topaz is associated with the zodiac sign Scorpio and the month of November and in modern day is used as an option associated with the month of December (or turquoise).

Aquamarine

Capture the beauty of the element of water. Aquamarine ranges in color diversity from the light blue shades associated with the sky on a clear day or the deep blue color that resembles the depths of the sea.

The essence of water is something that symbolizes a calm, natural beauty to many people. Getting a fairer light colored stone just embraces the beauty associated with the heavens. Nevertheless, this stone encapsulates the sparkle of the sea making it an everlastingly fashionable choice for many generations. Like the Emerald, it is part of the Beryl gem family. Ancient lore says that this stone was a gift to the mermaids from the God Neptune.

This stone is linked with the month of March.

Amethyst

A variety of Quartz Amethyst is its most lavish incarnation. The tone of this gem ranges from violet to a plum tone. This evokes the feeling of a purple paradise, full of exotic jewels. A hue that is both graceful and seductive it's all encompassing for many looks. It's posh without appearing excessive.

A truly exceptional gem for any special woman give one to her as a display of your adoration, add them to your jewelery collection today.

This is the gemstone for the month of February and late February's zodiac sign: Pisces.

Tourmaline

Find it hard to choose just one color? With Tourmalines you don't have to. This gem is famous for the fact that usually multiple colors and hues exist within one stone. It has a near popsicle effect then, like the the firecracker (red white and blue ones) popsicle. Not necessarily in those color combinations but in a more sophisticated grown up pallete. For this reason choosing a jewelery piece featuring this stone ensures a truly one of a kind, unique gift. Even if you want one single color, often you will find that certain stones have one color appear exceedingly prominent with areas of what will appear as a pretty black sheen.

It (along with opal) are the modern birthstone choices for people born in October.

Garnet

Red has customarily been the most known variety of this gem, but Garnets come in every single color of the rainbow except one, blue. Lucky for you there are plenty of other blue stones out there. But, if you're looking for an awe-inspiring gemstone in any other shade consider a garnet. These stones seem to have life bubbling within them, which results in a different glowing quality. The way these gems appear is amazing and unmatched, sometimes when looking at one it looks as if there is a print inside the jewel. Or that there is a marbled quality to the inside of it, yet it still retains the glimmering shining sparkling quality that makes other jewels so beloved.

Garnet is the birthstone for those born in January and is connected to the zodiac sign Aquarius

Why are the birthstones for a given month sometimes different than the zodiac stones?

Well Zodiac signs span over 2 month periods. Astrologers made sense of the world first in terms of periods associated with the Zodiac. Whereas the 12-month calendar we know today was invented and used at much later time dates. Hence sometimes there is conflicting information as to what each gemstone may be associated with. Additionally there is a Hindu gemology used by most of India that we have left out here to reduce confusion. Many cultures have their own beliefs about the qualities these precious gems posses.