The rich hue of Mozambique Garnet enhances designs that blend the exotic flavors of Indian, Africa and the Orient. These styles reflect today's culturally diverse society, giving Mozambique Garnet special appeal to consumers who seek a sophisticated urban look. The affordability of Garnet adds to its allure.

February - AMETHYST
Purple passion. From refreshing lilac to ripe plum, the drama and excitement of purple are fully reflected to Amethyst.

Perhaps because of its depth and richness, Amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion. It is fitting then, that the legend of its origin is a tale of revenge, devotion, and immortal remorse.

The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face-to-face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful was the maiden the Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over the statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.

Ranging in color from deep purple to pale lavender, is favored by those who seek the serenity and inner tranquility.

March - AQUAMARINE
Imagine a dip in a crystal blue mountain lake- the morning air crisp and expectant, the sky soaring high and cloudless overhead. This is the unique refreshment of Aquamarine.

The name means "ocean water", and tales of Aquamarine date back to ancient seafaring days. Sailors of old believed that these flittering watery gems came from the treasure chests of mermaids. Perhaps it's no wonder that Aquamarine is said to bring luck to all who sail the seas.

One of the most popular of all gemstones, are favored by those who seek rest and relaxation. Aquamarine ranges in color from intense, deep blue to lighter shades of sky and water.

April - DIAMOND
The fire of passion. The perfection of hope. The brilliance of joy. All these are part of a couple's love for one another - a love that finds its ideal expression in a diamond.

No other stone offers the clarity, brilliance, and breathtaking depth of a diamond. And for centuries, those who wire such stones were believed to share their virtues. Fabulous tales abound of luck and success, fearlessness and invincibility. Legends of seduction, intrigue, and irresistible attraction.

Perhaps the old tales were true. Today, diamonds remain the most potent symbol of devotion as you begin your life together. And while a gift of diamonds is traditional on the 10th and 16th anniversaries, there's never a better way to say that your love has only grown stronger, deeper, and more enduring with the passage of time.

Diamonds are also the most classic of all jewels. Their unmatched beauty and elegance make them ideal for making life's most important occasions, from the birth of a child to milestones like graduation or a major promotion. But then..why wait? The gift of a diamond can transform any occasion - or no occasion at all - into a moment sure to be treasured forever.

May - EMERALD
Lush. Exotic. Untamed. This is no polite garden-variety green: Emerald pulses with life and vitality. In its shadows alive with promise, expectation.....even danger.

More valuable than even diamonds, fine-quality Emeralds of significant size are among the world's most bewitching jewels. Their incomparable dark green color is produce only under extremely rare conditions. Because these conditions also result in tiny cracks and cavities in the stone, inclusions are allowed in top-quality Emeralds.

Ancient history records Emerald mines near the Red Sea, "Cleopatra's Mines," where the Pharaohs gathered gems between 3000 and 1500 B.C. Te Incas and Aztecs of South America once worshiped Emerald as a holy stone. And Maharajas of India, who believed the gem brought luck and restored health, had multitudes of Emeralds in their treasure vaults.

The hue of nature itself, Emerald enjoys appeal year-round: an ideal accent for Spring wardrobes, a highlight of Summer designs, an Autumn complement and the perfect hue to dispel winter blues.

June - TAHITIAN PEARLS
Tahitian pearls, cultivated in the warm waters of the South Seas, are among the most exotic wonders of nature. Their opalescent black hue, shimmering with peacock green, gray and purple overtones, makes a sensual, smoldering statement in jewelry designs for both men and women.

Born of the Pinctada margaritifera or "black lipped" oyster, the black Tahitian Cultured Pearl is farmed throughout French Polynesia, Northern Australia, and the Marshall, Cook, and Solomon Islands. Tahitian Pearls are usually found in sizes ranging from eight to thirteen millimeters; sizes up to 20 millimeters are sometimes discovered, but are quite rare. Tahitian Pearls, like their South Sea cousins, come in a variety of shapes. As with South Sea Pearls, nacre quality is the defining measure of quality and value. Used individually or in combination with white or golden Pearls, black Tahitian Pearls create superbly fashionable jewelry that, with proper care, will last for generations.

July - RUBY
Blood-red. Fire-red. Color that burns along the veins, and gives brightness to the night. If you're looking for the color of life itself, look no further than red. And the gemstone that brings red to vivid life can have only one name: Ruby.

The "king of gems," Ruby is one of the world's oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gem's startling color. Rubies with hardly any inclusions are so rare that large stones of good color fetch higher prices at auction than even diamonds.

Fiery and romantic,showing brilliant depth and intensity, the red hue of ruby is certain to draw attention. Ruby sends a message of drop-dead glamour, femininity and passion.

August - PERIDOT
The green-apple crispness of Peridot is a perfect complement to today's lively fashion scene. As the popularity of lime green continues to grow, so does the youthful appeal of this citrus-hued gem.

Peridot is treasured by the Hawaiian peoples who believed the gem to be the tears of the Goddess Pele. Peridot was known in the ancient world as well; the Romans named the gem "Evening Emerald" as its brilliant color did not fade in lamplight, but instead seemed to glow in the evening hours. Partly for this reason, Peridot was believed to help dreams become reality and to drive away the evil spirits of night.

Peridot's freshness invigorates and delights the senses. Intense and dazzling, its juicy color finds appeal across the generations. Those attracted to the vivid color enjoy Peridot's refreshing tartness - yet this versatile gem also complements the coolness of other stones and provides the urban neon green color.

Much of the Peridot is mined by Native Americans on the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona.

September - BLUE SAPPHIRE
The color blue holds as endless fascination. >From the high dome of the sky to the oceans that cover two-thirds of the globe's surface, blue literally surrounds us. Seen from space, Earth is revealed as a shimmering blue planet. It's little wonder, then, that the breathtaking blue of Sapphire has captured man's imagination from the beginning. Ranging from the deepest midnight to brilliant cornflower blue, Sapphires have long been prized for their intense, velvety color.

The ancients believed that Blue Sapphire - holding in its depths the power of sea and sky - had influence over the spirit world as well; among its reputed powers was the ability to make peace between warring parties. The calming influence of blue has also made it an enduring symbol for loyalty and trust - one reason that women around the world choose Sapphire for their engagement rings.

Flattering to all skin tones, blue is truly a color for all seasons. The darker value of Blue Sapphire offer the glamour and drama of haute couture fashion, while brighter qualities of Blue Sapphire appeal to those who seek the serenity and relaxation.

October - OPAL and TOURMALINE
OPAL: Mexican Fire Opal----Brilliant orange, shot through with bolts of flaming red or electrifying yellow. Bold, intense, juicy color - strengthened by the sparkle of a richly faceted surface and smoldering with interior fire.

These are not your grandmother's opals. Bursting with life and vitality, Mexican Fire Opal is a riot of dazzling color. One of the most vibrant gems of our time, Mexican Fire Opal brings a life to jewelry that demands attention. Its blazing orange color, one of the boldest nature's hue, communicates security and success as well as health and vitality.

White Opal--- With its pulsating display of fire and color, Opal was long thought to hold magical powers. For this reason, rare Opals were often reserved for royalty. The crown of the Holy Roman Emperor held a superb example, a fiery red Opal called "The Burning of Troy". This was given as a gift from Napoleon to Josephine - forming part of the crown jewels of France. Queen Victoria also loved Opals, and often presented them as wedding gifts. The changeable color and flashing fire seen in Opal are symbolic of love, life, hope and truth. Its rainbow of color makes Opal an ideal fashion accessory with year-round appeal, particularly among those who seek the drama and harmonic balance.

TOURMALINE: The name Tourmaline was derived from the Singhalese expression "tura mali", which translated means "stone of many mixed colors".

Discovered thousands of years ago, Tourmaline, also known as the rainbow gemstone, is referenced by the ancient Egyptians, who believed that when Tourmaline traveled from the earth's core to the surface, it did so along a rainbow.

Pink Tourmaline was so loved by the last Empress of China, Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi, it is said that she purchased a ton of it.

Tourmaline is found in an amazing variety of colors, which has contributed to some past confusion. A good example of this is the Russian Crown Jewels from the 17th Century. Over time some of the gemstones contained in these Crown Jewels that were previously thought to be Rubies have actually been identified as Tourmaline.

Tourmaline is the birthstone of October, an honor it shares with Opal, and is the state gemstone of Maine. Tourmaline is the traditional gift for a couple eighth year of marriage.

Since ancient days Tourmaline has been attributed with magical powers and was believed to have an especially strong influence over friendship and love, leading stability and permanence.

According to legend, all colors of Tourmaline protect the wearer against many dangers and misfortune.

Pink Tourmaline was believed to promote female balance and protection. Additionally, it was believed that Pink Tourmaline stimulated creative processes.

Pink Tourmaline is gifted as a symbol of hope.

November - TOPAZ
The color of certain gems can be, quite literally, intoxicating. From the pale amber gold of old cognac to the warmly flowing browns of aged whiskey and fine sherry, Precious Topaz invites us to drink in its beauty. Its warm golden hues, touched with peach overtones, bring a youthful blush of color to those who wear it.

Topaz was revered by the Egyptians and Romans, who associated it with the setting sun. In modern times, rich stores of precious Topaz were discovered in Russia; placed in the jewels of Russia Czarinas's, the gem earned the name of "Imperial Topaz."

The mesmerizing hue of Precious Topaz is symbolic of love and affection. And so remarkable is the gemstone's transparency and brilliance that famous examples have been confused with diamonds.

December - TANZANITE
The first thing you notice is the color: deep, vivid blue, with a purplish tinge that dances about the stone as it moves in the light. With its dazzling intensity and complex play of color, Tanzanite boasts a uniquely sensuous appeal.

Tanzanite's rarity and exotic origin are also part of its fascination. For this modern gemstone was unknown until 1967, when Massai herdsmen in eastern Africa notices blue crystals sparkling in the sun. Tanzanite's dramatic discovery, coupled with its scintillating beauty, caused a worldwide sensation. To date, the world's only source for the gem remains the hills of northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tanzanite's dual color - brilliant blue with hints of purple - makes it both warm and cool. Bold yet meltingly beautiful; when set in white gold, Tanzanite, offers a cool, haute couture look reminiscent of the 20's, or gleaming in yellow gold, it perfectly expresses the balance with nature.

Reference: Stuller's The Diamond & Gemstone Book