Jewelry 101: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT? DIAMONDS COLORED STONES
Listed below are the commonly known birthstones that we, at Karagosian Jewelers, carry. We have an expansive selection of loose and mounted stones for any kind of jewelry. We can also find any stone, in any quality, in any size by using our vast resources and friends, gained over our 60 years of being a jewelry industry leader. In addition, we at Karagosian Jewelers have our own custom workshop in-store and can therefore make any jewelry you can dream of. Let us show you why we have the best reputation in Michigan in quality and value since 1950.
Please note: Some months have multiple birthstones due to a number of factors including similar colors, popularity of gemstones, and updating to modern looks so be sure the month of the birthstone you are looking for does not have multiple stones for it.
Have other questions about colored gemstones? Email us at info@karagosian.com!
Garnet - January's Birthstone
By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Garnet is the birthstone for January and is the Zodiac birthstone for Aquarius and an alternative for Capricorn. Garnets are hard and durable, have pretty colors, and are wonderfully transparent. Garnets have a relatively low price in comparison to many other gemstones and what sets them apart are their slight variations in color, density, and amount of refraction of light. Garnets are available in a wide variety of colors and cuts, but they are most commonly found as a deep, dark red color. The other varieties of color tend to be more rare and can be commonly found in rhodalite with a red-purple color and tsavorite with a bright green color.
Click here for our online inventory of Garnets!
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Garnet is the birthstone for January and is the Zodiac birthstone for Aquarius and an alternative for Capricorn. Garnets are hard and durable, have pretty colors, and are wonderfully transparent. Garnets have a relatively low price in comparison to many other gemstones and what sets them apart are their slight variations in color, density, and amount of refraction of light. Garnets are available in a wide variety of colors and cuts, but they are most commonly found as a deep, dark red color. The other varieties of color tend to be more rare and can be commonly found in rhodalite with a red-purple color and tsavorite with a bright green color.
Click here for our online inventory of Garnets!
Amethyst - February's Birthstone
The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is the Zodiac birthstone for Pisces. Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is a very popular gemstone due to its unmatched beauty in its purple shades. Prasiolite is the leek-green variety of quartz that is oftentimes incorrectly called "Green Amethyst". Amethyst is an inexpensive stone due to its widespread availability, but do keep in mind that Amethysts are not the same everywhere. The source of the mines determine the stone's shape, color, and inclusions. At Karagosian Jewelers, we have a fine selection of beautiful Amethysts set in gold and silver often times with diamonds to accent its wonderful colors.
Click here for our online inventory of Amethysts!
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is the Zodiac birthstone for Pisces. Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is a very popular gemstone due to its unmatched beauty in its purple shades. Prasiolite is the leek-green variety of quartz that is oftentimes incorrectly called "Green Amethyst". Amethyst is an inexpensive stone due to its widespread availability, but do keep in mind that Amethysts are not the same everywhere. The source of the mines determine the stone's shape, color, and inclusions. At Karagosian Jewelers, we have a fine selection of beautiful Amethysts set in gold and silver often times with diamonds to accent its wonderful colors.
Click here for our online inventory of Amethysts!
Aquamarine - March's Birthstone
Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a bloodstone to their grave.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
In ancient times, the Bloodstone was used as March's birthstone as mentioned in the poem above. To modernize, March's birthstone was changed to Aquamarine and is the Zodiac stone for Scorpio. Aquamarine is also mentioned in the Bible as the mineral beryl. As a hard and durable stone light blue stone, Aquamarine makes a great choice when some harsher colored gemstones would clash with a specific look or style. The delicate look of the stone allows it to be easily used in a large stone to show off its true beauty. Karagosian Jewelers has a beautiful selection of Aquamarines with diamonds to accent its gorgeous, light aqua blue color.
Click here for our online inventory of Aquamarines!
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a bloodstone to their grave.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
In ancient times, the Bloodstone was used as March's birthstone as mentioned in the poem above. To modernize, March's birthstone was changed to Aquamarine and is the Zodiac stone for Scorpio. Aquamarine is also mentioned in the Bible as the mineral beryl. As a hard and durable stone light blue stone, Aquamarine makes a great choice when some harsher colored gemstones would clash with a specific look or style. The delicate look of the stone allows it to be easily used in a large stone to show off its true beauty. Karagosian Jewelers has a beautiful selection of Aquamarines with diamonds to accent its gorgeous, light aqua blue color.
Click here for our online inventory of Aquamarines!
Diamond - April's Birthstone
She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Diamond is the ideal gemstone for almost every situation, is the birthstone for April, and Zodiac stone for Aries. Diamonds have many strengths including being four times harder than the next hardest mineral, corundum. Diamonds are also available in a variety of colors, have much brilliance, sparkle, and fire, reacts to very few chemicals, are rare, and are extremely durable. Shades of yellow are the most common colors found, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, canary yellow, and greenish shades of diamonds are more valuable than the slight yellow or colorless. There are many imitation lab-created diamonds in the world including moissanite and cubic zirconia, which pale in comparison to the beauty of a real diamond. Many of our diamonds at Karagosian Jewelers come with certifications from gemological laboratories and all come from legal and conflict-free sources.
For a more information on diamonds, click here.
Click here for our online inventory of Diamonds!
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Diamond is the ideal gemstone for almost every situation, is the birthstone for April, and Zodiac stone for Aries. Diamonds have many strengths including being four times harder than the next hardest mineral, corundum. Diamonds are also available in a variety of colors, have much brilliance, sparkle, and fire, reacts to very few chemicals, are rare, and are extremely durable. Shades of yellow are the most common colors found, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, canary yellow, and greenish shades of diamonds are more valuable than the slight yellow or colorless. There are many imitation lab-created diamonds in the world including moissanite and cubic zirconia, which pale in comparison to the beauty of a real diamond. Many of our diamonds at Karagosian Jewelers come with certifications from gemological laboratories and all come from legal and conflict-free sources.
For a more information on diamonds, click here.
Click here for our online inventory of Diamonds!
Emerald - May's Birthstone
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Emerald is the green version of the mineral Beryl, is the birthstone for May, and is the Zodiac stone for Cancer. The unmatched, beautiful green color is only found in emeralds and makes them so desirable. Emeralds are unique for the mineral Beryl because they usually contain inclusions and other flaws. Unique to all other gemstones, these flaws are considered to give emeralds character and assure that the emerald is a natural stone. There are, however, emeralds that have too many inclusions and lower the stone's value and desire. Synthetic emeralds often contain flaws because the artificial emeralds are grown in almost the same way, but they lack the beautiful color of a true emerald. Karagosian Jewelers carry slightly included, gorgeous emeralds set in white and yellow gold with diamonds.
Click here for our online inventory of Emeralds!
In spring's sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Emerald is the green version of the mineral Beryl, is the birthstone for May, and is the Zodiac stone for Cancer. The unmatched, beautiful green color is only found in emeralds and makes them so desirable. Emeralds are unique for the mineral Beryl because they usually contain inclusions and other flaws. Unique to all other gemstones, these flaws are considered to give emeralds character and assure that the emerald is a natural stone. There are, however, emeralds that have too many inclusions and lower the stone's value and desire. Synthetic emeralds often contain flaws because the artificial emeralds are grown in almost the same way, but they lack the beautiful color of a true emerald. Karagosian Jewelers carry slightly included, gorgeous emeralds set in white and yellow gold with diamonds.
Click here for our online inventory of Emeralds!
Pearl - June's Birthstone
Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Pearls are often considered gemstones, even though they are in fact not a mineral, are used as the birthstone for June, and are Zodiac stones for Scorpio and Cancer. The original birthstone, agate, was updated to Alexanderite and Pearl, but is now more commonly just pearl due to Alexanderite's extreme rarity. Pearls are created when an oyster consumes sand and the oyster coats itself in nacre. This nacre gives the pearl the unique luster and look and is often times referred to as "mother-of-pearl". High-quality pearls have many layers of nacre and are rare to find even in the creation of thousands of pearls. These many layers means that the luster will be at its prettiest and last the longest. The ideal pearl shape is spherical, but other shapes are common, especially from freshwater pearl mussels. White or Golden South Sea and Black Tahitian pearls are naturally larger pearls that are 10mm or larger and have 2-6 mm of nacre. Akoya pears have less than 1 mm thick nacre. There are fake pearls, but no plastic coating can match up to the beautiful layers of nacre found in a natural, true pearl. Karagosian Jewelers carries some excellent quality cultured South Sea, Tahitian, saltwater, and freshwater pearls in a wide variety of necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets.
Click here for our online inventory of Pearls!
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Pearls are often considered gemstones, even though they are in fact not a mineral, are used as the birthstone for June, and are Zodiac stones for Scorpio and Cancer. The original birthstone, agate, was updated to Alexanderite and Pearl, but is now more commonly just pearl due to Alexanderite's extreme rarity. Pearls are created when an oyster consumes sand and the oyster coats itself in nacre. This nacre gives the pearl the unique luster and look and is often times referred to as "mother-of-pearl". High-quality pearls have many layers of nacre and are rare to find even in the creation of thousands of pearls. These many layers means that the luster will be at its prettiest and last the longest. The ideal pearl shape is spherical, but other shapes are common, especially from freshwater pearl mussels. White or Golden South Sea and Black Tahitian pearls are naturally larger pearls that are 10mm or larger and have 2-6 mm of nacre. Akoya pears have less than 1 mm thick nacre. There are fake pearls, but no plastic coating can match up to the beautiful layers of nacre found in a natural, true pearl. Karagosian Jewelers carries some excellent quality cultured South Sea, Tahitian, saltwater, and freshwater pearls in a wide variety of necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets.
Click here for our online inventory of Pearls!
Alexanderite - June's Birthstone
Alexanderite is the color-changing gemstone from the mineral Chrysoberyl, is June's birthstone, and Zodiac stone for Gemini. Alexanderite's color varies from a reddish hue to green depending upon the light source. These stones are absolutely beautiful, but as mentioned before, are extremely rare and therefore are very expensive. Synthetic Alexanderite is not nearly as incredible as its natural variety, but is much more commonly found and is much cheaper. Karagosian Jewelers does not normally carry any Alexanderite but has found some gorgeous stones in the past for customers, both natural and synthetic.
Ruby - July's Birthstone
The glowing ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they'll be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum, the birthstone for July, and the Zodiac stone for Capricorn. Corundum is the second hardest mineral known to mankind and all varieties of it besides red are called Sapphire. The best shade of Ruby has been often referred to as "pigeon blood red", but can be any shade of red up to almost pink. No other gemstones can come close to the perfect red color of rubies and they are cherished and valued because of it. Rubies are mentioned in the Bible as the "sardius" worn by Aaron on his breastplate. Karagosian Jewelers carries a variety of beautifully bright red Rubies.
Click here for our online inventory of Rubies!
Those who in July are born;
Then they'll be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum, the birthstone for July, and the Zodiac stone for Capricorn. Corundum is the second hardest mineral known to mankind and all varieties of it besides red are called Sapphire. The best shade of Ruby has been often referred to as "pigeon blood red", but can be any shade of red up to almost pink. No other gemstones can come close to the perfect red color of rubies and they are cherished and valued because of it. Rubies are mentioned in the Bible as the "sardius" worn by Aaron on his breastplate. Karagosian Jewelers carries a variety of beautifully bright red Rubies.
Click here for our online inventory of Rubies!
Peridot - August's Birthstone
Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Peridot has become the modern version of the birthstone for August and the Zodiac stone for Libra. Peridot is the gemstone variety of olivine and is a more yellow green or olive green than any other gemstone. There are many other stones that may come close to its color, but they rarely have as nice a yellow tint to their green as most Peridot do. Peridot are widely popular gemstones and exceptional ones can be widely found and thus they come at an affordable price. Olivine is the most common mineral found inside the Earth, so Peridot may be by far the most common gemstone! Karagosian Jewelers carry some of the most exceptional Peridot gemstones at a very reasonable price.
Click here for our online inventory of Peridots!
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Peridot has become the modern version of the birthstone for August and the Zodiac stone for Libra. Peridot is the gemstone variety of olivine and is a more yellow green or olive green than any other gemstone. There are many other stones that may come close to its color, but they rarely have as nice a yellow tint to their green as most Peridot do. Peridot are widely popular gemstones and exceptional ones can be widely found and thus they come at an affordable price. Olivine is the most common mineral found inside the Earth, so Peridot may be by far the most common gemstone! Karagosian Jewelers carry some of the most exceptional Peridot gemstones at a very reasonable price.
Click here for our online inventory of Peridots!
Sapphire - September's Birthstone
A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Sapphire is the birthstone for September, is the Zodiac stone for Taurus, and is structurally identical to the Ruby. Sapphire can be any shade of the the mineral corundum besides red (those are called Rubies) and are most commonly known for its blue color. As with Rubies, Sapphires are wonderfully durable as only diamond and moisannite are harder. The deep blue color is unique to sapphire for its beauty, especially if it is a Ceylon Sapphire. Ceylon Sapphires come out of a specific mine in Sri Lanka that contains the most beautiful shades and clarity of the gemstones in the world. Blue Sapphires may be the most common, but in recent years pink, orange, white, and black colors have gained interest. Karagosian Jewelers carries a vast selection of blue and many many other colors of Sapphire, including Sapphire Rainbow Tennis Bracelets that are breathtaking, encompassing all colors of Sapphire.
Click here for our online inventory of Sappires!
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Sapphire is the birthstone for September, is the Zodiac stone for Taurus, and is structurally identical to the Ruby. Sapphire can be any shade of the the mineral corundum besides red (those are called Rubies) and are most commonly known for its blue color. As with Rubies, Sapphires are wonderfully durable as only diamond and moisannite are harder. The deep blue color is unique to sapphire for its beauty, especially if it is a Ceylon Sapphire. Ceylon Sapphires come out of a specific mine in Sri Lanka that contains the most beautiful shades and clarity of the gemstones in the world. Blue Sapphires may be the most common, but in recent years pink, orange, white, and black colors have gained interest. Karagosian Jewelers carries a vast selection of blue and many many other colors of Sapphire, including Sapphire Rainbow Tennis Bracelets that are breathtaking, encompassing all colors of Sapphire.
Click here for our online inventory of Sappires!
Opal - October's Birthstone
October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Opal is one of the birthstones for October and is an alternative Zodiac stone for Aries, Libra, and Scorpio. Opal has been popular for centuries and continues to be for its visual beauty of multicolored flashes of light and is what makes it truly valuable. These flashes of light come from tiny spheres of trapped water within the precious stones. Each of these pockets emit a different color and intensity depending on the angle someone sees it. These multicolored flashes of light are called a "play of light". Opal itself is a common gemstone, but what makes it precious is its "play of light", color, and luster. We at Karagosian Jewelers carry beautiful Opals with high "play of light" and Opals of many colors.
Click here for our online inventory of Opals!
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Opal is one of the birthstones for October and is an alternative Zodiac stone for Aries, Libra, and Scorpio. Opal has been popular for centuries and continues to be for its visual beauty of multicolored flashes of light and is what makes it truly valuable. These flashes of light come from tiny spheres of trapped water within the precious stones. Each of these pockets emit a different color and intensity depending on the angle someone sees it. These multicolored flashes of light are called a "play of light". Opal itself is a common gemstone, but what makes it precious is its "play of light", color, and luster. We at Karagosian Jewelers carry beautiful Opals with high "play of light" and Opals of many colors.
Click here for our online inventory of Opals!
Tourmaline - October's Birthstone
Tourmaline is a birthstone for October, can be used as a Zodiac stone for Capricorn, and can commonly be found in green and pink, although they can be the full colors of the rainbow. What makes Tourmalines so unique are their beauty in a finely cut stone, their ability to have more than one color in the same stone, and their many varieties of possible color. Tourmalines are beautiful gemstones known for their sharp crystal forms and add elegance to any fashion. The many hues and cuts, affordability, and beauty of Tourmalines make them a desireable stone for men and women's jewelry. Karagosian Jewelers carries a complete selection of exotic Tourmaline jewelry, complete with many colors of the beautiful stone.
Click here for our online inventory of Tourmalines!
Click here for our online inventory of Tourmalines!
Topaz - November's Birthstone
Who first comes to this world below
In drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz's amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Topaz is one of November's birthstones and the Zodiac stone for Sagittarius. Topaz comes in a variety of shades of color: yellow, red, orange, blue, green, and colorless. The yellow colored Topaz that's typically a honey-like shade is Topaz's classic look and the color most associated with November's Birthstone. This color is oftentimes confused with Citrine, November's Alternative Birthstone (mentioned below). Topaz is one of the hardest minerals in nature so it is durable and other benefits include high luster, pretty colors, and multifaceted crystals. Karagosian Jewelers carries mostly Blue Topaz, but has been known to order in all the colors of Topaz and can do so at any time.
Click here for our online inventory of Topaz!
In drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz's amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Topaz is one of November's birthstones and the Zodiac stone for Sagittarius. Topaz comes in a variety of shades of color: yellow, red, orange, blue, green, and colorless. The yellow colored Topaz that's typically a honey-like shade is Topaz's classic look and the color most associated with November's Birthstone. This color is oftentimes confused with Citrine, November's Alternative Birthstone (mentioned below). Topaz is one of the hardest minerals in nature so it is durable and other benefits include high luster, pretty colors, and multifaceted crystals. Karagosian Jewelers carries mostly Blue Topaz, but has been known to order in all the colors of Topaz and can do so at any time.
Click here for our online inventory of Topaz!
Citrine - November's Birthstone
Citrine is the alternative birthstone for November and is an alternative Zodiac stone for Scorpio. As mentioned above, Citrines are often mistaken for Yellow Topaz due to their orange or yellow color. Natural Citrine is very rare in nature and most Citrine on the market are other forms of Quartz that are heat treated. This duplicates the natural process of heating to cause the quartz to become the orange-yellow Citrine. Citrine is a very popular stone in the heat-treated variety as it is very pretty and inexpensive. Karagosian Jewelers carries a full line of beautiful Citrine jewelry.
Click here for our online inventory of Citrine!
Click here for our online inventory of Citrine!
Turquoise - December's Birthstone
If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December, the Zodiac Stone for Saggitarius, and is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in jewelry. Turquoise has been used for jewelry since as far back as 6000 BC and still remains a popular gemstone. Large Turquoise are rare, which is why a majority of it is found in smaller stones. Turquoise tends to be inexpensive due to the fact that it's mined throughout the world and is fairly common. Karagosian Jewelers is able to attain a vast selection of Turquoise jewelry, especially in our catalogs.
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December, the Zodiac Stone for Saggitarius, and is possibly the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in jewelry. Turquoise has been used for jewelry since as far back as 6000 BC and still remains a popular gemstone. Large Turquoise are rare, which is why a majority of it is found in smaller stones. Turquoise tends to be inexpensive due to the fact that it's mined throughout the world and is fairly common. Karagosian Jewelers is able to attain a vast selection of Turquoise jewelry, especially in our catalogs.
Blue Zircon - December's Birthstone
Blue Zircon is a beautiful blue stone that is commonly used as December's birthstone. Zircon has gained a poor reputation as of late, being confused with the artificial Diamond Cubic Zirconia, which is very different. Zircon is similar to diamond in luster and fire, making it a very attractive gemstone while at the same time being affordable. Zircon is found in many colors, including brown, red, yellow, green, blue, black, and colorless. The most beautiful colors tend to be the blue and golden shades. Zircon is a Biblestone as mentioned attached to the Breastplate of Aaron where it is called a ligure. Karagosian Jewelers occasionally carries a Blue Zircon in stock and find any variety of Zircon for a number of settings, one of the many advantages to having our own custom workshop in-store.
Tanzanite - December's Birthstone
Tanzanite is a modern birthstone for December and is a fairly new stone to the market. Its blue-lavender color is very unique to gemstones in this beauty and has definitely found its place in the world of gemstones. Tanzanite gets its name because it is found in Tanzania and has been widely distributed in recent years. Tanzanite is desirable for many reasons. It has better fire and sparkle than Tourmaline and Peridot while maintaining sufficient hardness. The color is usually strong in the stones to show off its wonderful shades of blue-lavender. Nearly all Tanzanite is heat-treated to bring out this beautiful color because when most are mined, they come out as a muted green color. There is only a select 5-mile mine in Tanzania that these stones come out of and rumors are circulating that the mining may be at its end. We may soon see Tanzanite become a very rare and even more desirable stone. Karagosian Jewelers carries a wide selection of Tanzanite jewelry and can create anything for your perfect piece.
Click here for our online inventory of Garnets!
Click here for our online inventory of Garnets!