You’ve Heard of the 12 Days of Christmas – Here’s the 12 Months of Gemstones

(ARA) – If you’re looking for a holiday gift that is sure to be a hit, jewelry is the perfect choice. Big, bold, textured pieces are the hottest styles going this winter. Make the gift more personal by choosing jewelry that features the recipient’s birthstone.

“It’s typical for family or close friends to purchase birthstone jewelry for young girls as one of their first pieces to ever own, but it’s just as fashionable and thoughtful to give women of all ages jewelry with their birthstone,” says Natalie Parman, vice president of merchandising at Jewelry Television, which is celebrating its 13th birthday.

The pieces and styles of jewelry featuring the 12 birthstones are endless. You can think beyond the traditional, youthful birthstone ring and search for unique accessories such as pendants, bracelets, brooches, sophisticated earrings and even watches.

For example, O is for October and opal. But did you know there are different types of opal, the most popular being black opal, white opal and fire opal? A few great October gift suggestions are a pair of gorgeous, fire opal earrings or a yellow gold, black opal inlay ring that would make a great accent for an outfit of skinny jeans and a stylish black top. Topaz is the gem for November and you can’t go wrong with a white topaz double circle slide, or in December with turquoise, black onyx and diamond dangle earrings.

In honor of birthstones and its 13th birthday, Jewelry Television offers the following facts and gift ideas for each month’s gem.

January – Garnet
Garnet is found in many parts of the world and in a wide range of colors. A sterling silver, three row garnet bracelet is a great way to showcase this gem.

February – Amethyst
Amethyst is found in a range of colors from violet to pale red-violet. Amethyst has played a key role in cultures throughout history. Jewelry Television’s amber and amethyst double strand necklace will be valued by its recipient.

March – Aquamarine
From light blue to blue green to deep blue, aquamarine offers an irresistible range of sea blue colors. A gorgeous oval aquamarine and round diamond ring looks like a family heirloom.

April – Diamond
The most popular diamonds are traditionally colorless, but they can also be found in yellow and brown colors. Although much rarer, diamonds known as “fancies” also come in blue, red, pink, green, orange, black, lavender and purple. Tulips bloom during diamond’s month, so why not choose a vintage-looking chocolate and white diamond tulip pin.

May – Emerald
This stone exhibits a distinct pure green hue, but can also be found in a yellowish-green hue. Jewelry Television’s round emerald cross pendant shows off this gem.

June – Pearl
Pearl is a lustrous, organic gem produced by saltwater oysters, fresh water mussels and occasionally by some shellfish. It exhibits a range of colors from white to pink, silver, cream, peach, gold and green, blue and black. An oval cultured freshwater pearl bracelet is the perfect match for the classic strand of pearls.

July – Ruby
A well-cut ruby can approach the brilliant luster of a diamond. They come in a variety of red tones. Show them off in a stainless steel, red mother of pearl and round ruby ladies quartz watch.

August – Peridot
Once called the “gem of the sun,” Peridot exhibits a range of vibrant greens from yellow-green to olive green to brownish green. Go all out with a birthstone set complete with ring, earrings and pendant.

September – Sapphire
While sapphire can come in a variety of colors, it is most noted for blue, though they do come in other colors like pink and orange. Give a heart-shaped diamond and pink sapphire pendant for the perfect gift.

October – Opal
Opal displays a brilliant range of rainbow-like colors when seen from different angles. A fire opal and chrome diopside pin is a versatile way to dress up a scarf or hat.

November – Citrine
Citrine is a popular stone for jewelry designers due to its bright earth tones which range from light yellow to dark yellow and golden brown. Flirty 14kt yellow gold, pear shape citrine dangle earrings really make a statement.

December – Topaz
Topaz is found in vivid colors and can be very expensive when it occurs naturally in unusual colors. Eternity bands are popular, and Jewelry Television features one that sports affordable, yet expensive-looking round white or blue topaz.

Visit www.jtv.com for additional gift ideas and in-depth information on each stone.

Courtesy of ARA Content

For more information about gemstones or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Gemstones | Diamonds | Gifts