

January
Garnet
Garnet is a whole family, not one stone.
Zodiac
Capricorn · Aquarius
Birthstone quality
Protection
THE GEMSTONES CABINET
Press a stone to read about it.Hover over a stone to read about it.
GarnetA family of minerals. Think of garnet by its color.
AmethystRich velvety purple. Even color with no zoning is prized.
AquamarineColor meets clarity. The best are deep blue plus clean.
DiamondSmall shifts in color, cut plus clarity change the value.
EmeraldEmerald is about color. Subtle shifts change the value.
PearlJudged on size, shape, color, luster plus surface.
RubyCan command the highest prices of any colored gem.
PeridotThe best is a rich grass green with no brown.
SapphireThe best-known blue gem. Tough plus found in most colors.
OpalLike snowflakes, no two opals are the same.
TopazEach color is judged on its own. Imperial is rare.
TanzaniteIntense violet-blue drives the value. Paler is common.
Fancy Color DiamondHere color is the star. Stronger hues are rarer.
AlexandriteJudged by its color change, green to red.
CitrineSaturated yellow to reddish orange, free of brown.
IoliteSaturated violet to blue is its finest color.
Lapis LazuliThe finest is even blue, free of white calcite.
MorganiteSoft pink, purplish pink or orangy pink.
SunstoneDeep reds, greens plus bicolors are the finest.
TourmalineEvery hue of the rainbow, from electric blue to olive.
TurquoiseJudged on color, texture plus matrix.

January
Garnet is a whole family, not one stone.
Zodiac
Capricorn · Aquarius
Birthstone quality
Protection


February
Amethyst is purple quartz with an old royal story.
Zodiac
Aquarius · Pisces
Birthstone quality
Clarity


March
Aquamarine is calm, pale sea light in stone form.
Zodiac
Pisces · Aries
Birthstone quality
Composure


April
Diamond is the hardest natural gem, which is why it suits everyday rings so well.
Zodiac
Aries · Taurus
Birthstone quality
Endurance


May
Colombian emeralds can carry a deep, garden-green glow.
Zodiac
Taurus · Gemini
Birthstone quality
Renewal


June
Pearls are made by living oysters, so they feel softer than any crystal.
Zodiac
Gemini · Cancer
Birthstone quality
Intuition


July
Ruby is color with a heartbeat.
Zodiac
Cancer · Leo
Birthstone quality
Vitality


August
One of the few gems that occurs in only one color.
Zodiac
Leo · Virgo
Birthstone quality
Strength


September
Kashmir sapphire is famous for a soft, velvety blue.
Zodiac
Virgo · Libra
Birthstone quality
Wisdom


October
Black opal from Lightning Ridge is all movement.
Zodiac
Libra · Scorpio
Birthstone quality
Originality


November
Most blue topaz starts as colorless material, then is safely treated to create Sky, Swiss, or London blue.
Zodiac
Scorpio · Sagittarius
Birthstone quality
Ambition


December
Tanzanite comes from one small area in northern Tanzania.
Zodiac
Sagittarius · Capricorn
Birthstone quality
Vision