Although sapphires come in a range of colors, the one the sapphire is best known for is that striking royal blue. Sapphire, derivative of the Greek word for “blue,” is a variety of the mineral Corundum. This gem is prominent among the British Crown Jewels, and is considered to be symbolic of wisdom and purity. Sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, and because of their lustrous blue color they have enjoyed a certain level of import throughout history.
The vivid green peridot is a gemstone shrouded in mystery. There are debates over where it was first used, how early gemstones were classified (often confused with emeralds or topazes), and even how to pronounce the name (pear-ih-doe). Nonetheless this is a stunning birthstone choice for the month of August with its soft green hues.
Blue topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals and its name comes from the Sanskrit word for fire. Pure topaz is colorless, so the blue hue is achieved by heating the stone. Ancient civilizations believed this gem contained cooling properties, and it was often used for its supposed healing powers. Today, the blue topaz is considered to be symbolic of love and fidelity.
A rare form of quartz, Citrine is symbolic of hope and strength. From the old French for “lemon,” this gem comes in a variety of yellows. When subjected to heat, the stone can change color, so it is recommended not to leave citrine jewelry pieces in direct sunlight for extended periods of time because it will permanently alter the color. Historically, citrine has been used to enhance yellow gold jewelry and was often believed to have medicinal properties. This month will have the birthdays of country music superstars such as Josh Turner (November 20th) and Merle Travis (Novemeber 29th).
Symbolic of faithfulness and confidence, the Opal is prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found near the earth’s surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence.