I’ve loved amethysts and in particular amethyst rings, ever since I was a little girl and my grandmother brought me back an enormous multi-carat deep purple rock from her exoctic far eastern travels.

January babies can start the New Year off right, with their own sparkling garnet gemstone. Along with a new year bringing the hopes of a new beginning, garnets bring their own fairy tales and special powers.

Clearly, garnets have more to offer than just beauty. And Delamina has the perfect ring, earrings and pendant that can be the first additions to your jewelry box for 2010.

Despite the clouds this month, it’s blue skies for December babies. Or, to be more exact, blue stones… beautiful blue stones. Modern birthstones for those born in the month of December include blue topaz, tanzanite and turquoise. There is a shade of blue for every taste!

If you’re celebrating a birthday this month, or if you have a passion for the color blue, Delamina has a fabulous selection of December birthstone jewelry. The modern December birthstones include turquoise, blue topaz and tanzanite – fabulous stones, fabulous pieces, designed by some of the world’s most celebrated designers.

With intricate 18k yellow gold webbing capturing a glistening faceted citrine gemstone, accented with a chrome diopside cabochon, and surrounded by a gently woven sterling silver frame, this captivating pendant necklace is the perfect way to get some added sunshine in your life.

Topaz is considered the traditional November birthstones … but why keep up with tradition?
And, I’m sure the November babies out there wouldn’t complain about some extra sunshine in their life, which makes the lovely citrine gem a popular and beautiful November alternative birthstone.

November brings the lovely topaz as this month’s birthstone. Topaz is a gem that is said to bring mental clarity, confidence, personal power and stamina. Sounds like a powerful stone. And, Delamina has plenty of fabulous choices for you.

The color of topaz varies from clear, yellow, orange, red, blue and green. Imperial topaz, the orange to golden gem, is generally recognized as the traditional birthstone for November babies.

We already know that October babies are blessed with the beautiful precious opal gemstone. But these autumn birthdays also justify purchasing one of the many alternative birthstones. And the best part? Many of them are pink. Pink sapphire, pink topaz, and pink tourmaline are all alternative gemstones for the month of October. And Delamina has plenty of pink October gems to choose from.

This month brings fiery opals to the lucky ladies with October birthdays, and those of us who just love opals. And Susan Foster Design Studio has two beautiful opal rings for you to choose from.

With a breezy chill filling the air as leaves dance in the wind, October means the beginning of fall, and, for October babies, it means brilliant shimmering opals.

September is the month to celebrate sapphires and these earrings are definitely worthy of celebration.

Legend says that if a sapphire is worn by an evil person the stone will get angry and refuse to shine – if that doesn’t give you enough incentive to be a better person, these next few sapphire pieces will.

Most people associate the word “sapphire” with the color blue. Indeed, sapphire is considered to be the most precious of all blue gemstones. But sapphires exist in many colors.

The August birthstone is peridot, a vibrant green gem that is found in shades that vary from lime green with a touch of yellow to a deep olive green.

July brings hot heat and a fiery red gemstone – the precious ruby. Named the gemstone of the Sun, these sweltering red stones are a reminder of the warm, carefree months of summer.

The gem of desire, courage, passion and emotion – the ruby, considered a “precious” gemstone, has been coveted for centuries as Max Bauer wrote in 1894, “A clear, transparent, and faultless ruby of a uniform red color is at the present time the most valuable precious stone known.”

What’s more romantic than the moon? Wearing one on your finger. A gemstone said to be surrounded by mystique and magic, the moonstone is made from the feldspar mineral that covers much of the earth.

Some believe the idea of metaphysical properties in gems was first cultivated in the ancient cultures of Babylonia and India where astrologers believed gems were filled with magic and spiritual powers. In early societies a stones’ healing and mystical properties had more meaning for its wearer than its aesthetic qualities. Celestial planets were linked to specific stones and this ultimately led to the foundation of our Western birth month, zodiac sign and gemstone traditions.

Garnet’s powers include healing, strength, regulating heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. In ancient times, sailors took garnets with them to stay safe at sea. Garnets were also used as protection against evil … now that’s a good reason for every girl to have one!

Amethyst, which is a brilliant purple to violet variety of quartz, was used to prevent intoxication by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They wore amethyst rings, drank from amethyst encrusted goblets, even dropped an amethyst crystal in their wine to protect them from getting inebriated… ah if only it was that easy!

And if you need more reasons to love this gem of the sea, aquamarine increases intelligence and helps make one youthful! The aquamarine is an excellent stone for meditation. There is lightness about this stone that causes one to see the equality of life: a sense of serenity or peace with it, much as the sea brings peace to many who have troubled souls. How Zen!

The symbol of true love, diamonds are considered to be very powerful. They first became popular about 3,000 years ago in India. They were noticed for their sparkle and were used both for decoration as well as for protection from evil. In the dark ages, diamonds were thought to have healing properties. They were attributed with even more mystical powers during the middle ages, protecting against witchcraft and insanity.

Traditionally, the finest emeralds have come from Colombia, where both the Incas and the Aztecs mined rich emerald deposits in the Andes Mountains. In Roman times, emeralds were believed to have a soothing effect on the soul and on the eyes. Legend tells us that Nero, who had bad vision, used a slice of emerald to improve his sight while watching the gladiators in the arena. Rose colored glasses had nothing on these emerald specs.

San Francisco socialite, Dorothy Parker, once said, “There are always those who cannot distinguish between glitter and glamour, just as there are always those who cannot understand why you should desire real pearls…”. Now there’s a woman who understands how amazing these gifts from the sea are!

One of the most prized gemstones throughout history is ruby. Ruby is from the mineral family of corundum. Most people do not know that ruby is the sister of sapphire, which is also corundum. However, only red corundum is considered ruby. Prior to the nineteenth century, garnets and spinels were often confused with rubies. In fact, some of the famous ‘rubies’ in the British Crown Jewels are actually spinels!

Very fashion forward! Peridot has been called the “evening emerald” because it’s lighter shades of green come alive in the evening fire light. More than 3,500 years ago, peridot was mined by the ancient Egyptians on the island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Peridots have been found in the ancient Egyptian ruins. Cleopatra, Egypt’s fashionista, was a fan of fine peridots. Many of her famed “emeralds” were actually magnificent peridots.

Sapphire has a very spiritual history. It is said that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire. The divinity of this stone has led to it symbolizing faith, commitment and remembrance. Royalty and high priests throughout history have adorned themselves with sapphires. In Europe, sapphire was a traditional engagement stone. Remember Princess Diana’s gorgeous ring? If you have a sapphire you certainly will not feel blue!

The mystical opal has inspired some of the world’s great writers as well. They are referred to in both the plays of William Shakespeare and the novels of Sir Walter Scott. There is even lore that provides an important beauty tip … according to the ancient Scandinavian women, an opal worn in your hair could help prevent it from going gray! Early Arab civilizations thought opals could grant them invisibility… Who needs Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak!?

Topaz is the gemstone thought to hold the widest range of curative powers. Among those is the ability to dispel enchantment, improve eyesight, increase strength, heal mental disorders, cure insomnia and asthma and even prevent death. Topaz’s qualities that would certainly boost your social life are promoting friendship, ensuring fidelity, increasing patience and developing a pleasant disposition. Topaz is said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink … maybe it could tell you if that guy is good for you or not!

The Egyptian Pharaohs adorned not only their bodies, but all varieties of decorative items, including their grave furnishing, with this magnificent, prized blue gemstone. Esteemed as a holy stone, turquoise talismans of good fortune adorned daggers, sabers and bridles of horses throughout history. Levantine traders commonly known as Turks brought turquoise to Europe from the Eastern Mediterranean. Hence the name turquoise, a term used to describe any color that resembles this stunning gemstone.