The intensity of the green color is a major factor of determining an emerald’s value. Beryllium and chromium are rarely found in significant amounts in the same place, which is why emeralds are so rare and valuable. The green color of emeralds is caused by chromium mixing with the beryllium needed to form beryl. An emerald is a green variety of beryl that is considered a precious gem.Rock crystal is a crystal of quartz, a mineral that is commonly found in rocks. Rock crystal’s name is simply a combination of the words rock and crystal. Rock crystal is colorless and transparent.Quartz will change colors if the crystal has impurities. Quartz is one of the most common minerals, and it is naturally colorless. Rock crystal is a transparent variety of quartz.

The word diamond is thought to come from the Latin adamas, meaning “hard metal.” Diamond’s name was inspired by its famous hardness and shares an origin with the word adamant, an adjective that can accurately describe a diamond.ĭiamonds are one of the most culturally significant gems, including in slang like diamond hands. Diamonds come in many different colors, but colorless or clear diamonds are the ones most preferred as gems.Diamonds form underground when carbon is exposed to extreme amounts of pressure and heat. A diamond is an extremely hard form of carbon which is considered a precious gem.Bloodstone features spots of red jasper that resemble blood drops or blood splatter. Bloodstone gemstones are usually dark green with dabs of red.īloodstone is a combination of the words blood and stone.It is considered to be a semiprecious gemstone. Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a green variety of the mineral chalcedony with spots of jasper scattered across it.Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin aqua marīna, meaning “sea water.” The name is a reference to aquamarine’s blue color.Aquamarines are usually pale or light blue in color.Aquamarine crystals typically form in hot, open spaces underground that have a good supply of space and beryllium. Aquamarine is a blue or greenish-blue variety of the mineral beryl used as a semiprecious gemstone.The word amethyst comes from the Greek améthystos, meaning “not intoxicating.” Its name comes from many ancient legends and superstitions that claimed wearing an amethyst would prevent drunkenness. Amethysts come in different shades of purple.The intensity of amethyst’s color (and thus its value) depends on how much iron is in the amethyst when it crystallizes. Amethyst is a variety of purple quartz.The word garnet originally comes from the Latin word grānātum, meaning “granular.” This word was specifically referring to the shape of the red seeds found in a pomegranate, which resemble red garnets. Garnets come in many different colors, but dark red garnets are the ones most often used as birthstones.The name garnet is most often used to specifically refer to red minerals used as semiprecious gemstones. Garnets are a group of minerals commonly found in certain types of sedimentary and igneous rocks.Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuliįind out if you’re already a rockstar on birthstones by taking this quiz. We’ve gathered up a-sadly, metaphorical-treasure trove of gemstones along with some details about each one. Modern lists often have multiple birthstones tied to certain months.Īll of that being said, you might be curious as to what your birthstone is and which gemstone goes with each month. In 1912, the American National Retail Jeweler’s Association would popularize the word birthstone after making an “official” list of birthstones that is still used today with new additions to it. The breastplate inspired the original lists of birthstones that would change over the many following centuries. The legendary breastplate was said to be decorated with 12 differently colored gems. The origin of this belief is often traced back to the story of the Breastplate of Aaron in the book of Exodus from the Bible. Going back to ancient times, certain gems were believed to bring good fortune if worn during specific months. Birthstones are precious or semiprecious gemstones that are associated with a particular month or sign of the Zodiac.

Black onyx birthstone month