November Birthstone: Citrine

This month’s birthstone is citrine. Natural citrine is a pale yellow quartz crystal, but also can be found with an orange or reddish cast. These are typically amethysts that have been converted to citrine by applying high temperatures to the stone. Citrine stones are often confused with the topaz which is an alternative birthstone for November.

October Birthstone: Opal

This month’s birthstone is the Opal. Opals are typically white or black with flashes of yellows, oranges, greens, reds and blues. Black opals are the most expensive of the opals.

97% of opals come from Australia and they are famous for their magnificent black opals. Fire opals were first mined in Mexico, but can also be found in Nevada. Opals are formed in near-surface volcanic rocks, inside cavities and cracks. In volcanic ash rock, water dissolves silica that eventually forms the opal.

August Birthstone: Peridot

Peridot, a vivid green gem, is the birthstone for the month of August. It comes in several color variations ranging from yellow-green to brown, but the purer green a peridot is, the higher the value. A high-quality peridot is cut to maximize its color, not for its size.

The Peridot has a few unique stories surrounding it. In Hawaii, it was once believed that Peridots were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. Peridot is a gem that forms deep inside the Earth and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. The natives discovered these crystals in the black sands of the islands.

Don’t miss our Deal of the Week!

Each week, Hemming Plaza Jewelers is featuring an item in the store for 50% off! View the gallery below to see some of the items we’ve previously offered at this amazing discount. And be sure to check our website or Facebook page for this week’s deal.

July’s Birthstone: The Ruby

You do not have to be Dorothy on a quest to leave Oz in order to appreciate ruby accessories. Historically, rubies have been worn for both war and peace, and have been linked to love, health and wealth.

If you were born in July, you probably think of rubies simply as pretty birthstones. However, this powerful, captivating gem is deserving of the title “the king of birthstones.”