February babies have the rarest birthstone of all. Diamond (April) is the rarest birthstone in a total of six states, while topaz (November) is the rarest birthstone in Montana, Wyoming, and Rhode Island.
Ruby is a gemstone that is steeped in Legend and Lore, July's birthstone is said to preserve physical and mental health, and prevent evil thoughts. Ruby is one of the world's rarest and costliest gems and is said to be the "Gem King" (DCA Colored Stones, Compendium).
Garnets are associated with healing powers, with their name coming from the Latin word for “pomegranate.” It is sometimes used as a protective gem, creating a barrier between the wearer and those who may cause them harm. As pretty as garnets may be, they are one of the least valuable birthstones.
1. Emerald (May) The lush abundance of spring is mirrored in May's birthstone, the emerald, with its deep green hue, making it the best birthstone of them all. According to legend, emeralds are also a source of great luck and offer protection against evil to those who wear them.
But anyone who, by the luck of the draw, was born in April has been bestowed with the very best birthstone of them all: the diamond.
Deemed the King of all birthstones, the diamond is unequivocally the most prized and sought-after of all gems, making it the ideal choice for April birthday gifts.
The Hope Diamond
Arguably the most famous and most cursed precious gemstone in history, this 45.52-carat sparkler has a long and storied past. The Hope Diamond has been blamed for a laundry list of tragedies, including but not limited to: beatings, stabbings, murder, insanity, and suicide.
October Birthstone: Opal – The Beautiful & Mysterious Rainbow Jewel. October's birthstone is the opal. This rainbow-colored jewel holds many secrets.
Then, just a few centuries ago, people began to wear a single stone to symbolize the month of their birth. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers of America met to standardize birthstones. At this time it was decided that June would have two birthstones: pearl and moonstone.
The rarest birthstone is a red diamond. The most renowned red diamond is the 5.1-carat Moussaieff Red. If this birthstone were auctioned, it would smash the existing record of $71 million for a diamond. Diamond has many intriguing tales and qualities.
Finally, gemstones are often less expensive than diamonds of similar quality and carat weight, allowing a couple more flexibility within their budget if they opt for a gemstone instead of a diamond.
The wearing of birthstones is thought to bring good luck, good health, and protection. Astrologers long ago attributed supernatural powers to certain gemstones.
On the unlucky side of birthdates, November holds the record for the least favorite birthstones: citrine and topaz. (Apparently because yellow gems aren't considered favorable…have people gone mad?)
Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are known as the "Big Four" gemstones. These are the most valuable kind of precious stones.
Alexandrite is a color-changing gemstone. An old saying says it's like an "emerald by day and like a ruby by night". Discovered in 1830 in Russia, the gem was named after Emperor Alexander III, the Czar of Russia in 1839.
Moonstone
Moonstone holds a strong sense of secrecy and mystery. It is considered a stone that bears truth from within. It was often worn as an amulet by travelers to give them protection in earlier times, especially when traveling at night.
Opals are truly one-of-a-kind. Gemstone identification books will tell you that opals cannot be mistaken for any other gem. They glow and sparkle with a rainbow of colors, ethereal and enigmatic.
For number 7, pick an Amethyst. This beautiful gemstone promotes inner light and spirituality.
Goshenite is a colorless gem variety of beryl. It is called the mother of all gemstones because it can be transformed into other like emerald, morganite, or bixbite. Goshenite is also referred to as the purest form of beryl since there are generally no other elements present in the stone.
1. Blue Diamond – $3.93 million per carat. The most expensive and rarest gemstone in the world is a natural blue diamond. That explains the price of $3.93 million per carat.
Diamond. It's no surprise that diamonds take the top spot of the most popular gemstones used in jewellery. Diamonds come in various colours including yellow, blue and green with red being the rarest, though the most well-loved is the sparkling clear diamond.
Another feature of durability is toughness, which refers to the stone's ability to withstand chipping and cracking. Of all the gemstones out there, diamond is the hardest with a Mohs rating of 10, while sapphires (Mohs 9) and rubies (Mohs 9) come in second.