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What are the birthstones, both modern and traditional? These gemstones were officially adopted in 1912. In the US, this is the accepted list.
| Month | Modern | Traditional | Mystical | Ayurvedic | Other |
| January | Garnet | Garnet | Emerald | Garnet | Rose Quartz |
| February | Amethyst | Amethyst | Bloodstone | Amethyst | Onyx, Moonstone |
| March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone | Jade | Bloodstone | Rock Crystal |
| April | Diamond | Diamond | Opal | Diamond | Quartz, White Sapphire |
| May | Emerald | Emerald | Sapphire | Agate | Chrysoprase, Beryl |
| June | Pearl, Moonstone | Alexandrite | Moonstone | Pearl | Opal |
| July | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby | Carnelian |
| August | Peridot | Sardonyx | Diamond | Sapphire | Jade |
| September | Sapphire | Sapphire | Agate | Moonstone | Lapis, Lazuli, Zircon, Diamond, Chrsolite |
| October | Opal, Tourmaline | Tourmaline | Jasper | Opal | Pink Tourmaline, Zircon, Aquamarine |
| November | Yellow Topaz, Citrine | Citrine | Pearl | Topaz | Diamond |
| December | Blue Topaz, Turquoise | Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis, Lazuli | Onyx | Ruby | Ruby |
What are the traditional and modern wedding anniversary gifts?
| Year | Traditional | Modern |
| 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st 32nd 33rd 34th 35th 36th 37th 38th 39th 40th 41st 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th 48th 49th 50th 55th 60th 75th 80th 85th 90th 95th 100th |
Paper Cotton Leather Linen (Silk) Wood Iron Wool (Copper) Bronze Pottery (China) Tin, Aluminum) Steel Silk Lace Ivory Crystal Silver China Silver Pearl Coral (Jade) Ruby Sapphire Gold Emerald Diamond Diamonds, diamondlike stones, gold |
Clocks China Crystal, Glass Appliances Silverware Wood Objects Desk Set Linens, Lace Leather Goods Diamond Fashion Jewelry Pearls, Colored gems Textiles, Furs Gold Jewelry Watches Holloware Furniture Porcelain Bronze Platinum Brass, Nickel Copper Silver Plate Musical Instruments Sterling Silver Original pictures Sculpture Orchids New Furniture Diamond Timepieces Conveyances (e.g., automobiles) Amethyst Opal Jade Bone China Alabaster Beryl, Tourmaline Lace Ruby Land Improved real estate Travel Groceries Sapphire Original poetry tribute Books Optical goods, (e.g., microscope, telescope) Luxuries of any kind Gold Emerald Diamond Diamond, Pearl Diamond, Sapphire Diamond, Emerald Diamond, Ruby 10-carat Diamond |
What do the 4 "Cs" mean when grading a diamond? They stand for carat, clarity, color and cut.
| Carat | The Larger a diamond, the more rare. A Diamond's size is measured in carat weight, and each carat is equal to 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone. |
| Clarity | The purer a diamond, the more brilliant. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is - and more expensive. Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweler's 10x magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena - called inclusions - may be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and may look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers. Diamonds categorized as internally flawless reveal no such inclusions. Flawless stones are the most expensive and are treasured for their rarity and beauty. Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1 or VVS2. The larger the inclusion, the lower the grade and the less rare the diamond. Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are graded I1 to I3. The number, color, type, size and position of surface and internal
birthmarks affect a diamond's value. Major inclusions can interfere
with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing
its brilliance and sparkle and therefore its value. |
| Color | The more pure the color in a diamond, the more rare. Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and continuing through the alphabet. Truly colorless stones, graded D, treasured for the rarity and value, are among the most rare. "Fancy" diamonds - in will defined colors that include red, pink, blue, green and canary yellow - are highly prized and particularly rare. |
| Cut | The better cut a diamond, the more brilliant. A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light - offering the greatest brilliance and value. While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. |
For more information on purchasing diamonds please look at our 4C's Diamond Guide.
