February’s
Birthstone:
Aquamarine
The very name aquamarine
brings to mind the limpid, clear blue tint of the sea.
Legend says that Neptune, the King of the Sea, gave
aquamarine as gifts to the mermaids and from then on,
it has brought love to all who have owned it.
Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl, and is found in a
range of blue shades, from the palest pastel to
greenish-blue to a deep blue. Aquamarines are mined in a
number of places including the United States, Nigeria,
Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique.
Click here for more photos and
information on these beautiful
gemstones!
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In addition to
the above information from the AGTA, you can find
scientific facts about these of gems and much more at
the "Gems
and Gem Materials"
online course,
through the University of California-Berkeley's Department
of Earth and Planetary Science. The website is available
for the general public, and contains a wealth of
information for the budding gemologist and anyone
interested in learning more about gemstones. Hanna
Cook-Wallace has contributed to this site, which was
developed by Jill Banfield while teaching at the University
of Wisconsin.
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Monthly Birthstones
Click
on the gemstone name for more
information
January
- Garnet
February
- Amethyst
March - Aquamarine
April
- Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl, Moonstone,
Alexandrite
July
- Ruby
August
- Peridot
September
- Sapphire
October - Opal, Tourmaline
November - Topaz, Citrine
December
-
Tanzanite, Zircon,
Turquoise
Wedding
Anniversary Stones
1st - Peridot
2nd - Garnet
3rd - Jade
4th - Blue Zircon
5th - Pink
Tourmaline
6th - Turquoise
7th - Yellow
Sapphire
8th - Tanzanite
9th - Amethyst
10th
-
Blue Sapphire
11th
-
Citrine
12th
-
Opal
13th
-
Moonstone
14th
-
Agate
15th
-
Rhodolite Garnet
16th
-
Red Spinel
17th
-
Carnelian
18th
-
Aquamarine
19th
-
Garnet
20th
-
Yellow Diamond
25th
-
Tsavorite Garnet
30th
-
Pearl
35th
-
Emerald
40th
-
Ruby
45th
-
Cat's Eye
50th
-
Imperial Topaz
55th
-
Alexandrite
60th
-
Star Ruby
65th
-
Blue Spinel
70th
-
Smokey Quartz
75th
-
Diamond
Birthstone
and wedding anniversary information is thanks to the AGTA.
Visit them at www.agta.org for information on your
birthstone and more.