Birthstones
Peridot: a reservation’s buried treasure
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Charles Vargas is one of the few Apaches born and raised on San Carlos Reservation who left to get a college education and work in the outside world. That experience helped him recognize the treasure he and his tribe... »
August birthstone: Peridot
First recorded peridot was found as early as 1300 B.C. on Saint John’s, an Egyptian Island in the Red Sea. It’s said that this green gem was impossible to spot by day but glowed in the dark, so was mined only after nightfall. Set in gold, peridot was said to achieve its full sun-driven power against... »
July birthstone: Ruby
“When a ruby exceeds five carats, and is perfect, it is sold for whatever is asked for it,” Jean-Baptiste Tavernier wrote in 1676. Not much has changed in that regard. »
June birthstone: Pearl
Nothing is more universal and timeless than pearls. Wander through any major art museum and you’ll find them on everyone from maharajahs to lowly servants. There’s Rembrandt’s “Weighing of Pearls,” Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”—which inspired a Hollywood movie—and nary a portrait of Queen Elizabeth where she isn’t dripping with them. Leonardo da Vinci... »
May birthstone: Emerald
Once considered a powerful curative, emeralds have decorated the world's most glamorous women from Cleopatra to Angelina Jolie. A look at the star-studded history of this rare and fragile green beryl. »
April birthstone: Diamond
Few stones can match the legendary powers of a diamond, from betrothal to battlefield. A flawless diamond was considered the ultimate protector, said to ward off serpents and evil spirits, fire and flood, poison, illness and thieves. »
March birthstone: Aquamarine
Aquamarine symbolizes renewal, eternal youth and happiness, so it's a fitting birthstone for those born in the month when winter gives way to spring. »
February birthstone: Amethyst
January’s birthstone is among the most popular gems in American jewelry. A form of quartz found mainly in Brazil, Bolivia and Russia, amethyst has long been one of the gem world’s greatest bargains. But the finest deep purple variety is becoming scarce and getting more expensive. Amethyst was used in France for decorative purposes as far... »
January birthstone: Garnet
Legend has it garnets worn by the January-born will bring constancy, fidelity, and true friendship. They were long believed to cure hemorrhaging and excessive anger, and frequently mistaken for rubies and emeralds. A look at this incredibly versatile gemstone. »
December birthstone: Turquoise
December babies have as their birthstone a talisman imbued by ancient cultures with all the powers of sea and sky - two potent forces when you live off the land. Turquoise jewelry is as fashionable today as it was 7,000 years ago but the natural, untreated variety is getting harder to spot. »