October babies have the pleasure of enjoying two birthstones to commemorate their birthdays –tourmalines and opals. This post is all about the October birthstone, tourmalines.

Picture blue moonlight shining brightly through fog and you’ll understand why this variety of feldspar is named moonstone. Its shimmering sheen moves through the stone like moonlight.

September’s birthstone, sapphire, is unique among gemstones. It is a very hard gemstone, second only to diamond. Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. While other stones are known for their singular hues, sapphires come in a variety of colors.

Hailing from the olivine group of minerals, the peridot is a mysterious and thought-provoking gem. Peridot was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, first in the second century BC in priests’ jewelry and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.”

Few things catch the eye like ruby. This July birthstone has a color which can be described as a deep, pure, vivid red. Ruby, a variety of the mineral corundum (which also includes sapphires), is as historically captivating as it is beautiful. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj or “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty, and for its seemingly mystical powers.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne 60 years ago this month. When she was coronated a year later, she wore the ultimate symbol of royal authority – the Imperial State Crown.

This is the quintessential crown. Set with 2868 diamonds in silver mounts, it has an open work gold frame and is fitted inside with a purple velvet cap and ermine fur headband. The jewels mounted on the frame are breathtaking.