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.

August’s lucky babies can claim the beautiful and unusual peridot as their birthstone. Folklore has held that the stone will bring success, good luck and peace.

This past month I’ve felt a profound sense of loss. It started at the end of a wonderful vacation in Paris when my laptop took a tragic, and fatal, tumble.

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.

It is hard to believe that there are emeralds that are worth more than diamonds. But it’s true. Emeralds can even be three times as valuable as that trusty diamond.

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but this is truly a friend with benefits. Diamonds, unlike handbags, can last forever - and retain their value. They can be reset (or traded) to suit your changing taste over time.

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.

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!

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.

A loupe, pronounced loop, is any small magnifying glass mounted for hand use, that allows the user to take a closer look at a gemstone.

The metal tip or bead that actually holds a stone in place. Traditionally stones are held by four or six prongs. A safety tip … always check your prongs regularly so you do not loose your precious gem! If you take your jewelry to a shop every now and then for a professional cleaning, they can check your prongs at the same time. And don’t forget to keep your insurance riders up to date.