February’s Birthstone: Amethyst

The month of February is typically cold and snowy. This second of twelve months of the year is also known for President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and most importantly – its birthstone, the light purple amethyst. Considered a semiprecious stone, the amethyst can be set into many different types of jewelry, including rings and necklaces. Amethyst gemstone jewelry is very popular among many celebrities and jewelry collectors!

About the Amethyst

Amethysts are usually a very light shade of purple. It’s one of the few gemstones that isn’t naturally found in another color; for example, the sapphire can be many different colors besides its typical blue. This isn’t true for the amethyst – its shade range goes from light purple to deep purple, although in just the right light, you may see a little blue or red “flash” to the stones. Sometimes you may see piece of jewelry marketed as contained a green amethyst. This is incorrect, as these “green amethysts” differ chemically from their purple counterparts and are actually prasiolites, or green quartz. (They are still pretty, however!)

Amethysts are mined in the United States, Brazil, South Korea, Uruguay and Canada. These semiprecious stones have some interesting metaphysical properties, the most prominent of which is its supposed cure for drunkenness. This was one of the prime beliefs of the Ancient Greeks, who carved wine goblets out of large amethysts. The Ancient Egyptians admired amethysts and used them for jewelry, although they did not attribute any special abilities to wearing one.

Amethyst Rings and Bracelets

Due to the clarity and sizes available, the amethyst often either appears alone in rings, or serves as the central stone, surrounded by tiny diamonds or other accent pieces. Both of these types of amethyst rings tend to be powerful statement pieces, as the purple of the stones gives off a unique appearance. These are usually considered to be “cocktail” rings, and can thus be worn on different fingers and for many occasions. Amethyst bracelets usually appear as bangles, set in silver, gold of varying karats, or even platinum. If you really want to make an impression, wear an amethyst bracelet and an amethyst ring on the same arm and hand!

Necklaces and Earrings with Amethyst Accents

Amethyst earrings can either be of the dangle variety, complete with accent stones, such as diamonds, or small studs cut with many facets. In necklaces, however, the amethyst is usually set into a pendant, and strung onto a gold or silver chain. These pendants also can have diamond accents, or the amethysts can be left to stand alone, particularly if they are large and unblemished enough to stand out.

Although amethyst is the official birthstone of people born in the month of February, wearing it certainly isn’t limited to just that segment of the population. If you like this light-purple stone, wear it proudly! You’ll quickly find that your amethyst ring, necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings goes with everything from work-wear to casual outfits. It truly is a versatile gemstone!

Celebrate Your Loved One’s October Birthday with Her Birthstone: Tourmaline

October is known for many things: Halloween and Columbus Day are two that come to mind. Others include the weather changing to cooler temperatures, the leaves beginning to fall from the trees after changing colors, and, of course, tourmaline gemstone jewelry. Yes, tourmaline – the birthstone for those born in October. This gemstone is available in several colors, all of which fit this month of autumn perfectly.

About Tourmaline

Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone. This puts it in the same category as garnets, peridots, aquamarines and tanzanite, among others. These stones are more commonly found in nature, and thus are priced slightly lower than other, more precious gemstones like emeralds, rubies and diamonds. However, it is just as beautiful, if not more so, than these precious stones.

Tourmalines come in a number of different colors, but the most common is a deep purple-red. Other options include black (known as shorl), brown (davite) and deep blue, shades of green, yellow, and colorless. The color of the tourmaline depends on the levels of sodium iron within it. Interestingly, tourmaline also is known to have magnetic and pyroelectric properties, as the stone attracts and repels recently burned ashes.

The stone is found in several different places throughout the world, including the United States (most notably in Maine), Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and Afghanistan.

Tourmaline Jewelry

Tourmaline gemstone jewelry comes in many different styles, including rings, earrings and necklaces. Often it is paired with other gemstones, such as diamonds. Since it is a semi-precious stone, tourmaline rings, even those surrounded by tiny, inset diamonds, are a more affordable option than other dual-stone rings. However, they are no less beautiful. One good example of this is a 5-carat tourmaline stone, set into an 18 karat yellow gold setting and surrounded by several carats worth of small diamonds.

Other jewelry made from tourmalines include necklaces featuring a semi-polished version of the stones. These are left “uncut” and closely resemble their natural form, as opposed to the highly polished sort found in rings and pendants. Since tourmalines are found in so many different colors, these types of multi-strung necklaces are striking when seen in person!

How to Wear Tourmaline

Unlike other birthstones, opal, for example, that are bad luck to wear if they aren’t your birthstone (for the record, opal is also October’s birthstone), tourmaline can be worn by anyone, no matter what month they were born. A beautiful tourmaline ring or pendant goes perfectly with everything from work clothing to a pair of jeans and some boots, as well as evening wear, making it a very versatile and interesting piece.