JANUARY

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  United States, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India.

GARNET

FUN FACTS:  1. Found in every color except blue. 2. Said to give wearer protection during the night time from nightmares. 3. Egyptians used Garnets as an antidote for poison and snake bites.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp objects, and extreme temperature changes.

FEBRUARY

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia.

AMETHYST

FUN FACTS: 1. Runs the gamet of purple shades. 2. Greeks believed it had the power to prevent intoxication when worn. 3. Known to symbolize peace, protection and tranquility.

CARE: Durable, good for every day use. Protect from scratches and sharp blows.

MARCH

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and The Ukraine.

AQUAMARINE

FUN FACTS:  1. Most valuable when clear blue  2. Often available in bigger sizes. 3. It is a member of the important Beryl family, which includes Emeralds. 4. Known to be a symbol of youth, hope and health. 5. Also said to aid seafarers.

CARE: Should be immersed in jewelry cleaner or lukewarm soapy water and cleaned with a soft bristle brush. Protect from scratches and sharp blows.

APRIL I

PLACE OF ORIGIN: India, Brazil, South. Africa, Angola, Tanzania, Russia, Australia and China.

DIAMOND

FUN FACTS:  1. Diamond is the most popular gemstone for engagement rings.        2. Stems from the Greek word "Adamas", meaning unconquerable, meant to equal an eternity of love. 3. Discovered 2,500 years ago in India. 4. Comes in many colors other than colorless. These are fancy diamonds.

CARE: Most durable gemstone. Still must be protected from sharp blows and household chemicals. Clean with solution of water and ammonia.

APRIL II

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Very limited quantity found almost exclusively in Tanzania, where moreover the chief deposit is apparently nearly exhausted.

TANZANITE

FUN FACTS:  1. Was discovered in Tanzania in 1967. 2. This gem has a characteristic blue color usually with a violet tinge. 3. It has a strong luster and few inclusions. 4. Tanzanite is rarely seen on the market & very much a collectors item.

CARE: Tanzanite should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner. Protect from scratches, sharp blows & extreme temperature changes. Run under lukewarm water & wipe clean with a soft cloth.

MAY

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Columbia, Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

EMERALD

FUN FACTS: 1. Most valuable is a pure green stone. 2. Comes from Greek word "Smargdos", meaning green stone. 3. Legend assigns emeralds with many healing powers which help improve IQ, poor eyesight and infertility. 4. Folklore has it that an emerald enabled the wearer to predict the future.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine. Run under lukewarm water & wipe clean with a soft cloth.

JUNE I

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Sri Lanka, China, Australia, Philippines, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Tahiti and Japan.

PEARL

FUN FACTS: 1. Comes in wide variety of colors including white, black and pink.             2. Recognized as emblem of modesty, chastity and purity and has come to symbolize a happy marriage. 3. Comes in various shapes and sizes.

CARE: Avoid household cleaners, cosmetics, hairspray and perfume. Wash with gentle soap and water and keep protected when not in use.

JUNE II

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Found in limited quantities in Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe & Tanzania.

ALEXANDRITE

FUN FACTS:  1. Alexandrite's are green, but are more often yellowish or brownish green.  2. However, it's main characteristic is its ability to change color to red when exposed to certain light sources.3. This extremely rare gemstone of fairly recent history, owes it's name to the fact that it was first discovered in the Urals in 1830, on the day of Prince Alexander's of Russia's coming of age.           4. The few people who have seen one have marveled at it's beauty & luster. 5. Because of it's rarity, Alexandrite is a collectors item.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals & extreme temperature changes. Run under luke warm water & wipe clean with a soft cloth.

JULY

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan and India.

RUBY

FUN FACTS:  1. Rubies are red. 2. Known as the "Lord of the Gems" because it is so rare and beautiful. 3. Derived from the Latin word "Rubber" meaning red. 4. Said to be able to protect  owners from misfortune.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes.

AUGUST

PLACE OF ORIGIN: United States ( Arizona), the Hawaiian Islands, Burma, Brazil and the Island of Zebirget.

PERIDOT

FUN FACTS:  1. Typically Olive Green. 2. Has been known for a very long time. The ancients, including Pliny, the elder spoke of a gem called "Topazos" corresponding to our word Topaz, which from the description appears to be Peridot. 3. This gem was called "Topazos" because it came from an island in the Red Sea called "Topazos", now known as Zebirget.        4. Large stones are hardly ever found.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes.

SEPTEMBER

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, United States, China, Kashmir, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

SAPPHIRE

FUN FACTS:  1. Comes in wide range of colors except for red. Most popular in a deep blue. 2. Said to enable owner to tell the future and interpret oracles. 3. Legend says sapphires refuse to shine for the wicked or impure.         4.  Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's engagement ring. 5. Ancients believe the 10 Commandments were written on  a Sapphire Tablet.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes.

OCTOBER

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Australia, Mexico and the United States.

OPAL

FUN FACTS:  1. Comes in white, black, dark blue, dark green or gray with flashes of many colors. 2. Has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. 3. Legend assigns opal many powers, including benefiting eyesight and banishing evil spirits.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes. Wash with gentle soap and water and keep protected when not in use.

NOVEMBER

PLACE OF ORIGIN: Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China.

TOPAZ

FUN FACTS:  1. Comes colorless as well as orange-yellow, red, honey-brown, light green, blue and pink. 2. Imperial Topaz and pink colors are rare and the most valuable.  3. Derived from the Greek word meaning "to shine" and implying fire. 4. Known as the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers. Cures tempers, insanity, asthma, insomnia and wards off sudden death.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes.

DECEMBER

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Iran, United States (New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada) and Russia.

TURQUOISE

FUN FACTS:  1. Name of the gem is apparently related to the fact that it was bought to Europe from the Eastern Mediterranean by Levantine traders generally known as "Turks". 2. It has served as an ornament for a long time having been used by Ancient Egyptians. 3. It may be a strong blue color, but more often, pale sky blue, green blue or pale green.

CARE: Protect from scratches, sharp blows and extreme temperature changes.