Gemstones are always a good choice for gifts and birthstone jewelry is a gift that’s personal but not intimate. Don’t think birthstone jewelry is old fashioned or passé.  It’s not. There are modern designs, glamorous settings, and dazzling diamonds accenting a choice of gemstones.

Before purchasing any gemstone jewelry be aware of how gemstones can be treated or altered that are perfectly accepted in the jewelry industry and don’t devalue the stone or increase its value. These treatments are not fraudulent on certain gems as long as the change is permanent.

Heat Treatment

Exposing the gemstone to sophisticated processes that heat the gemstone increases the depth of color, lightens it or completely changes it.  It’s acceptable for use on the birthstones sapphires, amethyst, citrine, and topaz, as well as other gemstones.

Radiation

Used in conjunction with heat treatments or by itself, radiation has been in use to improve or change colors and is accepted by the jewelry industry as long as the change is permanent and stable. However, some stones that have been subjected to radiation outside the United States are radioactive and not safe to wear.  This occurs primarily with blue topaz.  If the stone or jewelry has been purchased in the US, it is safe.

Radiation is acceptable for diamonds to change from off white to a fancy color such as blue, green or yellow.   These fancy colored diamonds are usually identified as irradiated because they are not nearly as valuable as natural fancy colored diamonds. Other birthstones where radiation is acceptable are topaz to change from white or pale yellow to golden yellow or blue and pearls to produce blue and gray shades such as those found in “black” or south sea pearls. Radiation of sapphires is not acceptable because the color change does not last.

Oiling

Emeralds are oiled as a matter of course to fill in tiny crevices and cracks. The cracks appear white and lessen the vibrancy of the green color.  It is an acceptable practice.  Using green oil is not acceptable. Emeralds should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner as it removes the oil.

Modern Birthstone Jewelry Designs

Step up to the stepped designs in rings.  Five stones in amethyst the birthstone for February, with the largest stone in the center cut as a baguette, (rectangle) with two smaller baguettes on each size, set in white gold is a  modern take on a classic design.

Picture a ring with a huge nearly 12 ct amethyst, the birthstone for February, wrapped by two strands of diamonds over the stone and accented by both a .89 ct citrine and .54 ct blue topaz set in 14 K white gold.  The look is stunning and so will you be.

Four strands of polished peridot beads, August’s birthstone, the longest 21 inches and the shortest 18 inches are accented with fresh water pearls. Compliment the necklace with a ring featuring two peridot stones set in 18 K gold. The look is up to the minute fashionable.

Freshwater pearls are more irregularly shaped than cultured pearls and come in a variety of colors which make them more interesting than the classic string of graduated pearls.  Eight strands of vibrant pink freshwater pearls make up a necklace that can be worn with jeans for a funky fashion statement, with a business suit to work, or out to dinner and a night on the town.  Pearls are the birthstone of June.

Opals say October to many people because they are the birthstone for October and because the fire within the opal often flashes orange, red and gold, the colors of Autumn. A nearly 1.7 ct black opal is set with four orange fire opals in a ring that says “look at me’ to everyone.

The birthstone for January is garnet and the choices are seemingly endless from rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.  Whether the choice is polished, beads, or faceted you’re sure to find the perfect birthstone gift for a January girl.   Try faceted garnets on hoop earrings, or a necklace of polished garnets in the traditional red.  A red garnet center stone surrounded by pink sapphires in marquise and round cuts is a ring that is reminiscent of spring and is striking.

There are even gemstones associated with anniversaries as well as birth months.

First year – Gold

Second – Garnet

Third – Pearl

Fourth – Blue topaz

Fifth – Sapphire

Sixth – Amethyst

Seventh – Onyx

Eighth – Tourmaline

Ninth – Lapis Lazuli

Tenth – Diamond

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or just a special day, birthstone jewelry is always appropriate and elegant.  Consider traditional birthstones in untraditional settings or designs. Combine different colors of the same birthstone for an unusual and surprising look.