Hailing from only one region in the entire world, Tanzanite is one of the accepted birthstones for December. This blue-purple variety of zoisite was named for Tanzania where it's found.  Because the crystal composition allows the stone to appear different colors based on viewing direction, cutters can choose to show the bluish purple, or the more favorable pure blue or violet blue hue. 

Tanzanite is a relatively new gemstone on the market. The stone was discovered in 1967 in Merelani, Tanzania. Because they presented in intense blue crystal clusters, the hope was that a new Sapphire deposit was discovered. In 1968 Tiffany & Co. named the stone Tanzanite and launched a big ad campaign to promote the new stone.

Due to pleochroism, Tanzanite can appear different colors when viewed in different crystal directions. Most often, both the violet blue and the purplish hues are visible in polished stones. Tanzanites rate between a 6 and a 7 on the Mohs scale, so with proper care and handling this stone can last a lifetime. 

Hailing from the Quartz Family, Citrine generally presents in lovely light yellow to deep orangey hues, and is the most popular gemstone in that range. Quartz has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. 

 Confused with Topaz in the early days of gemology, the Citrine is an attractive substitute for both Topaz and Yellow Sapphire, although it is a gemstone in its own right. Natural Citrines can be fairly rare; however, the rich hue and durability of the gemstone can be worth the search. 

Because of the structure of the Citrine, crystals occur in a wide range of sizes. This means that sizes up to 20 carats are easily found in jewelry. Many high end jewelry designs are stone carvers often use the Citrine for Fantasy and unusual cuts.

Named from the Latin opalus, meaning precious stone, the Opal has been highly sought after for centuries. Roman scholar Pliny wrote that Opals carried the green of Emeralds, the red of Rubies, the blue of Sapphires, and the yellow of Topaz. In Roman society, the Opal symbolized love and hope, and many cultures have associated them with Supernatural origins and powers. Legends from Arabic culture say it falls from the heavens in flashes of lightning, while the Greeks believed  Opals gave the wearer the gift of prophecy and protected them from diseases.

It has been said that anyone born in another month wearing an Opal is unlucky, however, that myth comes directly from Anne of Geierstein by Sir Walter Scott from the 1800s. In actuality, Opals have been regarded as perhaps the luckiest and most magical of all the gemstones because of its ability to display all the colors. 

Opals are created from seasonal rains that drench dry ground containing ancient underground rock, pulling silica downward. In dry periods, much of the water evaporates, leaving behind solid deposits of silica between the layers of underground sedimentary rock: this is where Opals are found. Opals contain up to 20% water, and have to be carefully cared for to maintain their beauty. 

From the same family as Rubies, Sapphires can actually present in a variety of colors, most notably the vibrant blue they are famous for. Rare richly hued Sapphires from Kashmir set the standard for color desire, however the most famous Sapphire is the Royal Blue from Kate Middleton and Princess Diana's engagement ring.

For years, Sapphires have symbolized truth, nobility, sincerity, and faithfulness, adorning the robes of clergy and nobles alike for centuries, and was said to protect their owners from envy and harm. Its name comes from the Greek sappheiros, which probably at that time referred to Lapis Lazuli. 

Presenting in a variety of colors, Sapphires are the perfect stone for many occasions. Sapphires are rated as a 9 on the Mohs scale, making them perfect for every day wear. Although they are not indestructible, they are durable and can stand the test of time with proper care.