The Persians considered garnet a royal stone.  Primitive cultures belived that garnets could be used to stop bleeding and cure inflammation.  Asian and North American tribes used garnets as bullets, believing the stone would inflict fatal wound.  Garnet occurs in all colors with the exception of blue.  All garnets, not just red , are the birthstone for the month of January.  Of the many types of garnets, the most familiar are pyrope, almandite, rhodolite, spessartite and tsavorite

February-  Amethyst                  

Wedding Anniversay:    1st Year

Amethyst comes from the Greek word "amethustos" which means not to intoxicate.  It has been considered a charm against drunkenness - especially if the drinker used an amethyst cup.  Amethyst was also considered an aid to the brave.  It was believed to protect soldiers in battle, control evil thoughts, help hunters capture wild beasts and make its owner shrewd in business.

Amethyst range in color from violet to red - purple.  The most valuable shade is a deep purple with flashes of red known as Siberian.

March - Aquamarine                

Wedding Anniversay:         18th Year

Aquamarine comes from the Latin word for sea water.  It is the greenish blue to blue-green variety of the mineral, beryl.  In the middle ages, aquamarine was believed to help the wearer conquer all wickedness.  It was also prescribed for eye trouble, respiratory disease and hiccups.  Aquamarine is the symbol of happiness and everlasting youth.

The typical size of aquamarine is wide and stones are commonly seen in 10-30 carat sizes.  Faceted stones of more  than 1000 carats are known to exist. It is possible for some aquamarine to exhibit chatoyancy, a cat's eye effect.

April -  Diamond              

Wedding Anniversary:       10th Year & 60th Year

The term, Diamond, comes from the Greek, "adamad" meaning unconquerable, a fitting description for the hardest gemstone known to man.  Diamond is essentially pure carbon that has crystallized under enormous heat and pressure through volcanic activity.  Until the 19th century only men wore diamonds.  When Agnes Sorel, mistress of King Charles VII of France began wearing diamonds, it then  became a fashion for women also.  Diamonds were considered a talisman against phantoms and nightmares and were supposed to give soldiers courage and virtue.

May - Emerald             

Wedding Anniversay        20th Year & 45th Year

To ancient Egyptians, the emerald's green color stood for  Fertility and Rebirth.  In many cultures, emeralds were used to treat eye diseases.  The Emperor Nero reportedly watched chariot races through lenses made of emerald.

Many people believed that holding an emerald under one's tongue would allow the future to be seen.  Others thought that wearing emeralds would strengthen memory and ward off evil spirits.

June  - Alexandrite  or   Pearl               

Wedding Anniversay:           55th Year

Alexandrite is the color change variety of the mineral, chrysoberyl.  In incandescent or candle light it  turns to a purplish or brownish red color.  Due to this change, poets have given it the description of "emerald by day and ruby by night"

Alexandrite received  its name from Alexander II, Czar of Russia.  It was said that Alexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia of his birthday in 1830.

July -  Ruby             

Wedding Anniversary:         40th Year

Ruby comes from  the Latin word, ruber, which means "red".  It is the red variety of the corundum family.  There are many legends about the ruby.  It was believed that the wearer of the ruby was blessed with health, wealth, wisdom and outstanding success in the affairs of the heart.  The wearer also acquired the magic ability to  live in peace with his enemies, as long as the ruby was worn on the left hand or as a brooch on the left side.  According to ancient verse of uncertain origin,             

August - Peridot               

Wedding Anniversary:        3rd Year

Peridot comes from the Arabic word "faridat" which means "gem". In the 18th century the French were the first to call this yellowish - green stone, peridot.   It has been called Topaz up to that time.  As early as 1500 BC, the Egyptians used peridot a gem. It was considered "the gem of the sun".  To develop its full strength as a talisman it had to be set in gold.  Legend tells us that miners searched for peridot crystals at night as the moonlight made them easier to see.  They would mark the spots and come back in the daylight to dig them up.

September -  Sapphire                

Wedding Anniversary: 15th Year - Blue Sapphire, 30th Year - Fancy Color Sapphire

& 50th Year - Golden Sapphire  

Sapphire is from the corundum family.  It is not only blue, but ranges from violet, green, yellow, orange , pink and purple.  These other colors are generally known as "fancy".  The only color from the corondum family that is not called sapphire is the red ruby.  

Kings in ancient times believed that it protected them from harm and envy.  The Persians believed that the earth rested on a great sapphire, the color of which was reflected to give the sky its color, blue. It was also the symbol of truth and constancy.

October -   Opal or Pink Tourmaline                 

Wedding Anniversary:         13th year

Opal takes its name form the Latin word, upala, meaning precious stone.  Pliny, a learned Roman scholar, described opal as having "the fire of the carbuncle, the brilliant purple of the amethyst, the sea green color of the emerald all shining together in incredible union." The Romans believed opal was the symbol of hope and purity.   They called it "cupid paederos, child as beautiful  as  love.  They thought the wearer to be safe from disease.

The Arabs believed that opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning and thus acquired their marvelous color. Ancient Greeks also believed the opal had the power if giving foresight and the light of prophecy to their owners.

November -  Topaz                     

Wedding Anniversary:             4th - Blue Topaz & 23rd - Imperial Topaz

Topaz gets its name from the island, Topazios, in the Red Sea.  Topazios is a Greek word meaning "to Guess".  This suited the island well as it was often obscured by fog, making it difficult for early navigators to find. 

For many years all yellow stones were called topaz.

The ancient Greeks believed topaz bestowed strength to its wearer.  It was worn as an amulet to ward off enchanment, dispel sadness and strengthen intellect.   Topaz was believed to assure beauty, fidelity and long life.

Topaz occurs naturally in many colors: yellow, orange, brown, red , pink, light blue, pale green and colorless.  The blue shades ( sky, swiss and london) are very popular in jewelry today.

December -  Blue Zircon                    

Wedding Anniversary:         7th Year

Although thought by many to be relatively new to the gem market, zircon has been with us for many centuries.  In the middle ages zircon was worn to promote riches, honor and wisdom.  It was also believed to drive away plagues and evil spirits. The name is believed to have originated from the Persian word, "Zargun" , which means fold colored, due to the yellow color of the stones found there. Blue Zircon gained popularity in the 1880's and was  used extensively in Victorian jewelry.  In fact, jewelry from this period is a principle source  of blue zircons over five carats.