Birthstone Collection

Birthstone Series: Amythest Quartz
An Amythest quartz specimen. Amythest is a form of quartz that is usually purple in colour, it is the birthstone for the month of March. Natural History Museum specimen number 84817

Garnet Peridotite
Garnet-peridotite, a major constituent in the make-up of the Earth. Image published in Natures Connections An Exploration of Natural History. Published in 2000

Zircon cut stones
Cut stones showing the natural colour range and lustre of zircon. Zircon is the birthstone of December. It comprises of (zirconium silicate) and is not the same as the artificial gem cubic zircona

Amethyst, a purple coloured quartz crystal

Corundum variety ruby; crystal and gems
Crystal and gem specimens of ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Corundum has two varieties, the other being sapphire

Schist
A garnet schist from Moidart, Scotland. This specimen is a medium-grained metamorphic rock

Oyster shell with pearl C013 / 6623
Oyster shell with pearl. Pearls are accretions of nacre (calcium carbonate) secreted by certain oysters and mussels. The presence of a foreign body (such as a parasite or a grain of sand)

Peridot
Crystal of peridot from Zebirget (St Johns Island), Red Sea. Peridot is the gemstone variety of olivine (magnesium iron silicate)

Oyster shell with pearl
Oyster is a name given to a group of molluscs which can be found on sea beds, often in coastal waters. The pearl, a smooth spherical object can form inside its shell

Chrysoberyl cut stone
This is Alexandrite, a cushion-shaped Chrysoberyl (beryllium aluminum oxide) gemstone. Alexandrite is named after the former czar of Russia, Alexander II

Five unpolished emerald rocks, close up

Amethyst

Citrine

Emerald in Rock Groundmass

Peridot gemstone

Brilliant-cut Sapphire

Garnet gemstone C016 / 5984
Garnet (iron aluminium silicate) gemstone. Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. Gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London, UK

Garnet C016 / 5661
Garnet. Specimen of rock containing garnet (red, centre)

Ruby and sapphire specimens C016 / 4860
Ruby and sapphire specimens. Crystals of ruby, the red variety of corundum (aluminium oxide). The other gemstones present here (blue-white) are sapphires. The rubies are from Burma

Variety of Gemstones
Left to right, top: Onyx, cornelian, tigers eye, jet, turquoise, lapis lazuli, hematite, jade. Bottom: Ivory, amber, coral, cultured pearl, freshwater pearl, shell, cameo

Turquoise variety Henwoodite
A specimen of the turquoise variety called Henwoodite, named after William Jory Henwood (1805-1875) from West Phoenix Mine, Linkinhorne, Cornwall

Birthstone Series: Zircon
Zircon comes in a variety of colours, but most commonly brown or green. It is the birthstone for the month of December (along with Tanzinte and Turquoise). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Fire Opal
This specimen is called a fire opal because of its red-orange colour. Many of these specimens originate from Mexico. Opal is the birthstone for the month of October. Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Lazurite

Birthstone Series: Citrine
Citrine is a form of quartz that appears in different a variety of yellows and oranges, it is the birthstone for the month of November along with Topaz. Specimen number 21470

Birthstone Series: Opal
Opal is a form of silica and it is the birthstone (along with Tourmaline) for the month of October. Natural History Museum specimen number: 1908, 235. Photographed by Harry Taylor

Russian topaz
Topaz comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide) and is the birthstone of November. Brown topaz specimens from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Zircon is the birthstone of December. It comprises of (zirconium silicate) and is not the same as the artificial gem cubic zircona. Crystal specimens are from Nigeria

Birthstone Series: Emerald
A specimen of the gemstone, emerald from the Natural History Museum, London. Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May (along with Chrysoprase). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Carnelion
A specimen of the mineral, carnelion (BM58673a) from the Natural History Museum, London. Carnelion is the birthstone for the month of July (along with Ruby). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Spinel crystal and cut stone
Spinel (magnesium aluminium oxide) crystal from Ruby Mines, Mogok, Burma with spinel cut stone from Sri Lanka. Spinel is found in a red colour and has been previously mistaken for ruby

Crystal, carving and treated blue topaz
An orange crystal, colourless carving of Queen Victorias head and a heat-treated blue topaz gem of 0.24ct

Birthstone Series: Rose Quartz
A specimen of Rose Quartz from the Natural History Museum, London. Rose Quartz is the birthstone for the month of January (along with Garnet). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Chrysoprase
A specimen of the mineral, chrysoprase (BM1934.919) from the Natural History Museum, London. Chrysoprase is the birthstone for the month of May (along with Emerald). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Rubies and sapphires
Crystals of ruby from Burma which is the red variety of corundum (aluminium oxide). The other variety is sapphire, this specimen is from Kashmir. The lower left specimen is the Edwardes Ruby

Peridot cut stone 146. 1 ct
Peridot is gem variety of the mineral olivine (Magnesium Iron Silicate). It is also the birthstone of August

Ruby and sapphire gravel
Ruby and sapphire fragments from gem gravels seen on a background of slate. Ruby and sapphire are both varieties of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide)

Birthstone Series: Onyx
A specimen of the mineral onyx (GM1703), from the Natural History Museum, London. Onyx is the birthstone for the month of February (along with Amethyst). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Sardonyx
A specimen of Sardonyx, a variety of quartz, from the Natural History Museum, London. Sardonyx is the birthstone for the month of August (along with Peridot). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Tanzanite
A specimen of tanzanite, from the Natural History Museum, London. Tanzanite is the birthstone for the month of December (along with Zircon and Turquoise). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Birthstone Series: Bloodstone
A specimen of the mineral bloodstone, a variety of quartz. (33974), from the Natural History Museum, London. Bloodstone is the birthstone for the month of March (along with Aquamarine)

Birthstone Series: Ruby

Birthstone Series: Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) and is the birthstone of the month of March. A gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London

Birthstone Series: Garnet
Garnet has a chemical composition of iron aluminium silicate. It is the birthstone of the month of January. Gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London

Diamond with garnet
Red garnet crystal in an octagonal, step-cut diamond. Diamond comprises of compacted carbon and is the hardest natural substance known on Earth

Peridot group
Fine cut peridot of 146 carats (centre) with crystals and rough mass (right) from Zebirget, and Hawaiian basalt containing olivine crystals (left)

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Birthstones are more than just beautiful gems; they hold a special significance in our lives. In the Birthstone Series, Amythest Quartz takes center stage with its stunning purple hue, symbolizing clarity and protection. Garnet Peridotite follows suit, radiating strength and vitality. Amethyst enchants us with its regal charm, while Turquoise captivates with its mesmerizing blue-green allure. Zircon cut stones sparkle like stars in the night sky, adding a touch of celestial beauty to any jewelry piece. Schist showcases its unique texture and earthy tones, reminding us of nature's artistic wonders. The delicate Oyster shell with pearl C013/6623 reminds us of life's precious treasures hidden within unexpected places. Corundum variety ruby dazzles with its fiery red brilliance, embodying passion and love. Peridot shines bright as it represents growth and renewal. Chrysoberyl cut stone exudes elegance and sophistication that is truly timeless. Five unpolished emerald rocks invite us to explore their raw beauty up close; each one holds a story waiting to be discovered. These birthstones not only adorn our bodies but also carry deep meanings that resonate within our souls. Whether you wear them for their aesthetic appeal or embrace their symbolic power, birthstones connect us to our roots and remind us of the magic found in every facet of life.