Everyone has a birthstone. Do you know what yours is?
GIA is showcasing birthstones in a big way at the Carlsbad campus with a special exhibit running through spring 2013. The GIA Museum team strives to provide incredible shows that will appeal to everyone. It is fascinating to not only learn about your own birthstone, but your friends’ and family members’ too! (more…)
Tanzanite, the December alternate to turquoise and zircon, was not discovered until 1967, so it is a relative newcomer to the list of birthstones. It is named for the one country on earth where it is currently found: Tanzania, in eastern Africa. Although discovered by others, Tiffany & Co. deserves the credit for naming the gem and popularizing it beginning with a big publicity campaign in 1968. (more…)
There are two November birthstones that command the attention of consumers and gem connoisseurs alike – topaz and citrine. In this post, we’ll discuss topaz, a gemstone that is widely cherished for its array of colors and distinctive look. (more…)
If you want to learn more about your birthstone or enjoy browsing some spectacular gems, be sure to make your way to the “GIA Celebrates Birthstone” exhibit at GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Whether browsing a variety of polished gems, or taking in some of the spectacular jewelry on display, you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity. (more…)
Hailing from the olivine group of minerals, the peridot is a mysterious and thought-provoking gem. Peridot was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, first in the second century BC in priests’ jewelry and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.” (more…)
Few things catch the eye like the ruby birthstone. This July birthstone has a color which can be described as a deep, pure, vivid red. Ruby, a variety of the mineral corundum (which also includes sapphires), is as historically captivating as it is beautiful.
In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj or “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty, and for its seemingly mystical powers. (more…)
May’s birthstone is the brilliant, green emerald. Legends gave the emerald the power to make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted and its the gemstone for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. It was once believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria, and its color reflects new spring growth, which makes it a perfect choice of a birthstone for the month of May. (more…)
Shimmering with an internal fire all its own, diamond is one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones. (more…)
The garnet is actually a group of several minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. There are six common garnet minerals – and several other rare species. The most common garnets are almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine and uvarovite The name “garnet” comes from 14th century Middle English word gernet meaning ‘dark red’, (more…)
October babies have the pleasure of enjoying two birthstones to commemorate their birthdays – tourmaline and opal. Last time we wrote about pink tourmaline, and now we’re going to share with you about opal. (more…)
Use of this site signifies your agreement to its terms of use.
© 2002 – 2025 Gemological Institute of America Inc. GIA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
All rights reserved.