Diamonds, from the Greek “adamas” meaning invincible, are the hardest of all gemstones. April’s birthstone is formed deep within the Earth and reached the surface through violent volcanic eruptions.

Aquamarine, the March birthstone, evokes the colors of the sea. From deep green-blue hues to light, slightly greenish-blue, they are often free from inclusions and as clear as water, symbolizing purity of spirit and soul.

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz that has captivated mankind for centuries. Its lilac to deep purple hues can be cut into many shapes and sizes, and can also be manufactured in a lab rather than mined.

Garnet, January’s birthstone, is one of the most diverse gemstones. It comes in an extraordinary range of color, although it’s most commonly known for its rich shade of red. In fact, the name garnet is thought to be derived from the word pomegranate, because the more commonly found deep red varieties of the gemstone resemble pomegranate seeds.

Everyone has a birthstone. Do you know what yours is?

GIA is showcasing birthstones in a big way at the Carlsbad campus with a special exhibit running through spring 2013. The GIA Museum team strives to provide incredible shows that will appeal to everyone. It is fascinating to not only learn about your own birthstone, but your friends’ and family members’ too!

For most people, when they think of January’s birthstone, they think of a deep red gemstone. But did you know that garnet can also be found in shades of yellow, orange, and even green?