You can ask almost anyone you meet to name the birthstone for any given month of the year and get an accurate response. We've been around it all of our lives. If we personally don't own a piece of birthstone jewelry, we have a friend or relative that does.

But if you were to ask someone what virtues or characteristics that birthstone represented, you'd get a lot fewer correct answers. Many people probably don't even know that there are attributes to accompany each birthstone. Well, if you're one of those people, this article will set you straight.

First, let's run through all of the birthstones and the months that they represent. January is garnet, February is amethyst, March is aquamarine, April is diamond, May has the emerald, June the pearl, July's birthstone is the ruby, August's is peridot. The sapphire is September's birthstone, October is opal, November is topaz, and December turquoise.

Now that we have that straight, we can go back and talk about what each stone represents. Garnet represents constancy. The amethyst depicts sincerity. Aquamarine is for courage. Diamonds symbolize innocence. Emeralds express success and love, pearls health and longevity, and rubies contentment. Peridot is a symbol of marriage bliss, sapphire expresses clear thinking, and opal is about hope. Topaz represents fidelity, and turquoise prosperity.

Thanks to new technology, exploration, and mining techniques, each birthstone is not necessarily just one color now, either. This gives the wearer of birthstone jewelry some latitude if they just don't particularly like the color of their birthstone. Garnet, traditionally thought of as a dark red or reddish-brown, can now easily be found in orange and green. Amethyst will turn yellow when heated. The recent advancements in alterations find diamonds now in a wide variety of colors, including the traditionally canary and blue, but also champagne, chocolate, black, and red. This is primarily due to a process whereby the diamond is irradiated, causing its structure to slightly change. Sapphires can now also be found in a virtual rainbow of colors, from white, to yellow, pink, green, in addition to the traditional blue. Emeralds, rubies, and opals really haven't changed, but they can now be modified to enhance their beauty and value.

Well, there you have it. Almost everything you ever wanted to know about your birthstone. As you can see, you don't have to stick to your traditional color. You can get birthstone jewelry in almost any style or color of stone you want. Some birthstone jewelry even comes premade with rainbows of sapphires or diamonds in every possible shape and design. So if birthstone jewelry never did much for you, look again. The world of gemology has changed.

Diamond shopping hasn't changed in decades. We all know to look for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight to determine the quality of the stone, but most of us don't do it enough to stay proficient at it. I've always been a proponent of studying up to refresh myself on all of the variations and their meanings before I go shopping for diamonds of any size. If you're going shopping for diamond jewelry any time soon, you could probably stand a quick refresher lesson too.

Almost everyone has a preferential diamond cut. The majority are variations of round and square. Square-cut diamonds include, among others, emerald, princess, cushion, and radiant. Round-cuts are mainly confined to round, oval, or brilliant. Of course, there are the specialty cuts like marquise, pear, and heart-shaped. Believe it or not, a diamond's cut is its most important feature, because it sets the basis for the number of facets that can be put on the stone, and facets are all about sparkle. The other important part of the cut is its depth, which can range from ideal to poor. A diamond with a lot of facets still won't sparkle if it is cut too shallow or too deep. Light with either reflect off the surface or pass through the stone without diffracting at all. The ideal cut diamond has an enormous number of facets and the stone is cut to the exact proper depth to maximize the diffraction and make the stone sparkle.

Next in importance is color. Diamonds come ranked by color grade from D to Z, with D being absolutely colorless, and Z being visibly brown or yellow. Every letter in between represents a slightly increasing amount of color, from "almost colorless" to "noticeable color." For most laypeople, it's almost hard to tell a D from an F unless you hold them up side-by-side. How the diamond is set, whether in white or yellow gold, will have a huge impact visible color.

Clarity is more about the amount of "stuff" in the stone than anything else. Clarities range from flawless to very included (cloudy, cracks, or pieces of coal that didn't convert). Anything up to "slightly included" is barely visible to the naked eye, and is a great value. Anything above that can be seen with the naked eye and should be avoided.

Unless you're rich, you'll have to compromise on some or all of these factors to buy diamond jewelry. You want to purchase the best cut with the least amount of color and fewest flaws you can afford. If it comes down to weighing the three of those against carat weight, go for the first three every time. A smaller, glistening diamond is much prettier than a big clear rock.

For some ninety years or so, Citizen has led the way with their classic and innovative timepieces. Citizen watches simply stand for high quality and precision as well as affordability for ordinary people. But beyond that, the Citizen Watch Company has always set their goals to stay ahead of the curve with their groundbreaking technologies and their worldwide recognized brand.

Founded in 1918, the name Citizen was born from the founder's idea that no matter which country or where someone came from, it would resonate in the heart of all men and women. From there, the company name of Citizen Watch Company was formed and their revolutionary and technologically advanced Citizen watches began the triumphant journey we have seen for almost a century.

Speaking of technology, beyond expanding worldwide and positioning itself as the largest watch manufacturer in the world every year for the past 25 years, Citizens is the king of "firsts" in the watchmaking industry. Citizens first ever pocket watch was created and sold in 1924. A Japanese Citizen manufacturer developed the first shock resistant watch in 1956. And in 1959, Japan's first water-resistant watch was born.

Citizen also created the thinnest LCD watch the world had seen, the first voice recognition watch, and the first professional diving watch which even had and electronic sensor to gauge water depth. And then Citizen went green on the world. The Eco-Drive Citizen watch collection leads the world with "ecologically responsible" timepieces which are simply powered by light. They are literally continuously recharged by both artificial light and natural sunlight, so you never need to replace the custom lithium-ion battery. Innovation is their business and their history.

The Signature Collection of Eco-Drive Citizen watches are comprised of many different models for both men and women. There are 5 different models of the Grand Complication watches, 9 models of the Flyback Chronograph and also 9 models of the Perpetual Calendar collection, all of which are watches for men. As far as watches for women, the Octavia Diamond Series has 4 models and the Quattro Diamond Series is represented well with 9 different models. None of the Octavia Diamond Series watches are water-resistant, but all the rest of the Signature Collection is water-resistant up to 100 meters, with the exception of 5 of the Perpetual Calendar models, which resist water in depths up to 300 meters.

Pink the colour of passion

Ranging from dazzling intense pink to more subtle champagne pink tinge, fancy diamonds possessing that rare crystalline structure that allows for them to absorb blue green colour to appear pink are extremely popular world over. Pink after all is the colour of passion, the popularity of pink diamond engagement rings among celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham and others prove the theory right.

Such diamonds are judged according to the intensity of their colour, ranging from very intense and vivid like the stunning Steinmetz Pink diamond to pale pink of the exquisite Darya-ye-Noor which is an integral part of the Iranian crown jewels. In recent times actress-singer Jennifer Lopez's 6 carat engagement ring brought the rare pink diamonds to the forefront of popular imagination. The rarity of these exquisite diamonds only added fuel to the craze and voila soon pink diamonds have made a grand entry as the hottest accessory to possess.

Famous diamonds that made history

The most well known diamond in the world is not even a real diamond, it is none other that the famous Pink Panther Diamond that Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau made famous in 1964. Let us take a closer look at some of the real pink diamonds that have left their mark on history.

• Ocean of Light or Darya-ye-Noor in pale pink weighing 175 carats is one of the most famous and rarest diamonds in the world today. Nadir Shah in 1793 carried off this rare beauty from the Mughal court to Persia along with the Peacock throne and Koh-i-Noor diamond. Many researchers believe that this treasure of the Iranian crown jewels was actually a part of a large pale pink diamond studded on the famous Peacock Throne of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and was later cut into two pieces, while one is famous as the Darya-ye-Noor the smaller diamond is called Noor-ol-Ein studded into a tiara which is also a part of the Iranian crown jewels. It is believed that Darya-ye-Noor was a part of the bigger Diamanta Grande Table, so named by the French traveler Jean Baptiste Travernier in 1642, that adorned the throne of the great Mughals.

• Noor-ol-Ein or "The Light of the Eye" too was brought to Persia form India by the invading armies of Nadir Shah after the sacking of Delhi and Agra. Canadian researchers speculate the light of the eye diamond was actually part of a bigger pink diamond studded on the throne of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Others opine that this precious diamond came form the famous Golconda mines of India. Whatever its origins, there is no doubt that this rare beauty that adorns the tiara of Empress Farah Pahlavi is a unique treasure.

• Steinmetz Pink, at 59.60 carats weight is the largest fancy vivid pink diamond in the world. Originally hailing from South Africa this rare find is treasured mainly for its vivid colouring and flawlessness. A team of at least 8 international jewelers took over 20 months to cut this internally flawless diamond that was introduced in Monaco in 2003.

• Le Grand Conde or the Pink Conde Diamond is a pear shaped exquisite piece of diamond that was gifted to Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Conde by Louis XIII of France in 1643. Louis de Bourbon, who placed the diamond at the centre of his bejeweled walking stick, was as the Grand Conde which is exactly what the diamond too came to be known as.

First, go through the websites of both the retail stores and the online jewellery stores and make a shortlist of items you like that are within your budget.

Next, get all the product details and costs for each piece. For example, if you are looking at a traditional 7 or 9 stone diamond earring, get as much information as possible on the diamonds, making charges, wastage, taxes, and total costs. Ask for the gold weight and the stone weight separately. The more information you are able to collect at this stage, the easier it is to compare and make your decision later.

Bring all your metrics for a similar piece on to a single page, by comparing the details across stores. Arrange these points of comparison items vertically (no. of stones, grade, carats, etc) and the store names (store 1, store 2) horizontally in a table or excel sheet. Add the values for each item carefully. Put the costs (making charges, wastage, tax, total) in the last rows.

Now examine your table carefully. Which store has the diamond earrings which are most expensive? Why are they the most expensive? Is it the value and number of diamonds, or is the tax adding a huge difference? Which store offers the least wastage and tax? By asking and answering these questions, you'll be able to get a picture of which store is giving you a good deal.

Call a few of the stores and find out what would be the value of the same piece if you got it made with better quality or lower quality diamonds? If several stores have low wastage and one seems abnormally high, find out why. Let them know their wastage is higher than every other store, and they may try and make it competitive to sweeten the deal for you.

Once you have all this information, you are ready to make your decision. Eliminate the stores which have the less satisfying cost/quality combination, first. Keep eliminating till you have only 2 or 3 options left.

At this point, you may want to visit the stores and try on the pieces. Or if you are purchasing from an online store, talk to their diamond experts. Get all your doubts and issues clarified, and let them know if you have any concerns with the piece you are purchasing. The merchant or expert may have alternate suggestions for you, which match your requirements perfectly.

Now that you've done all the homework, it's time to once again take your taste and preference into consideration. Is there a piece you are leaning towards? Does instinct tell you which one to choose?

When you're finally done with all the research and negotiation, go ahead and make a final decision with confidence. You can be sure you've gotten the best offer and are bringing home a spectacular piece of diamond jewellery.

Today the trend in jewelry and fashion, especially when considering such a personal item as that of a wedding band, is to choose something unique, a piece that you will be happy with not just today but forever. Choose one that will still dazzle you on your silver or golden anniversary. Women traditionally have much more of an array to choose from, however being unique means not always following tradition. For this reason, tungsten bands are a great choice for any man who takes pride in being selective and fashion forward.

When shopping for your man's wedding band, follow the example of more and more couples who are considering a tungsten wedding band. Below are some points to keep in mind during your shopping process.

Tungsten Carbide will not bend. It is 10 times harder than 18K gold, 5 times harder than tool steel and 4 times harder that titanium. This metal measures between 8 and 9 on Mohs hardness scale. To give you an idea by comparison, diamonds measure in at a 10, which is the highest. Due to their extreme hardness, a men's tungsten wedding band will hold its shape despite consistent daily wear longer than any other ring on the market. As an added reassurance you have no need to worry that its unmatched strength and durability could harm you in any way. In case of an emergency situation, medical professionals are perfectly capable of quickly removing the band if there was ever a need, so rest easy.

A tendency with the vast majority of polished metals such as titanium, platinum or gold, is that upon close inspection you will continue to observe varying degrees of denting or scratching. This is not the case with tungsten carbide. To this end, it has earned a reputation for appearing permanently polished. Due to this unique property, there are vendors who guarantee to re-polish or replace your men's tungsten wedding band for free in the rare occurrence that it should scratch. Any one choosing this metal for themselves should be congratulated on this account, as tungsten holds its original polish like no other type of ring.

No matter how you look at it or try to get around it, the old adage often proves itself true. You get what you pay for. Now there may be cases of getting a great deal and there is certainly no crime in that. But when making your selection from the wide array of men's tungsten wedding bands to choose from, please do your due diligence and ask the right question. Namely, "Is this band cobalt fee?" Why is this important? Plainly speaking, a tungsten band that uses cobalt as a bonding agent in its make-up may do permanent damage to your skin as it mixes with the natural oils in your body. Why do some tungsten ring manufacturers use cobalt as the binding agent? The simple and honest answer is that it is less expensive to use cobalt as the binder rather than nickel. Cobalt is quicker and less expensive to use when forging the bond between tungsten powder and carbide powders. But when you look at the effect it may have on our bodies, is the savings worth it? In addition, tungsten rings with cobalt binders tend to develop "spots" a few months after being worn. And these spots on the ring are near impossible to remove. Therefore when you choose your band, make sure to ask if it is cobalt free and you will be much more satisfied in the long run.

So there you have the 3 must know essentials when making your selection of a men's tungsten wedding band. Its long-lasting durability, an unmatched ability to maintain its show room polished shine, and the availability of a cobalt free alternative. Be an informed consumer and enjoy its sultry mirrored finished for years to come as a commemoration of the love it represents.

Gold Karat Facts You Should Know Before Buying Gold Jewellery

"Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold! Bright and yellow, hard and cold" - wrote Thomas Hood but to most Indian women gold is anything but cold. Warm yellow gold is beautiful, long lasting and considered to be auspicious in India where on her wedding day a bride is expected to be literally wrapped in jewellery from head to toe. Gold jewellery is bought on occasions like Akshay Tritiya and Dhanteras to symbolize the entry of goddess lakhsmi inside the home. Lustrous sparkling jewellery is one of the most treasured and cherished possessions of women across the world. Gold hardly ever tarnishes and proves to be a valuable assest for the future as they are passed down generations as family heirlooms at the time of a wedding.

Convinced about buying fine jewellery but puzzled by the varying terminology wondering what's the difference between karat and carat or between overlay and solid jewellery? Don't worry; this article will set the record straight.

Gold K Facts

Perhaps the most important factor that shoppers need to keep in mind is the karat which stands for the amount of gold present in a piece of jewellery and has absolutely nothing to do with carat which is the measure of the weight of gemstones. K or karat therefore refers to the total amount of gold mixed with other metals that have been used to craft a particular ornament or jewellery. 24K gold is the purest form of gold. Being soft 24 K gold cannot be fashioned into intricate jewellery pieces without being mixed with baser metals in varying proportions. Thus, in the shops you will come across jewellery listed as 18K, 14K, 12K, 10K or 9K all reflecting the proportion of that has been melded with other metals with the number explaining the ratio in which this metal has been mixed. So in 14K jewellery 14 parts gold is mixed while 12K jewellery has only 12 parts gold in it. More, the number of karats, more the proportion of gold in the jewellery. While purchasing fine jewellery it is always advisable to carefully examine the gold stamp or hallmark that declares the karat. Hallmark is a sign of authentication of karat and is in no way to be confused with manufacturer's mark or stamp.

What is the reason for mixing gold with other metals?

Gold in its purest form is too soft for it be used to craft jewellery pieces. Moreover it will prove to be too expensive and delicate for use. Hence metals like silver, copper, palladium etc are mixed to make it more durable and hardy. Mixing metals with gold also assists in getting different colors for jewellery. Silver when mixed with this metal produces a greenish tinge while copper is mixed to create rose tinted jewellery. Palladium and gold is mixed to fashion white gold jewellery. Even the color of yellow gold varies with 18K gold being a more intense yellow than 9K jewellery thanks to the greater proportion of gold.

Vermeil, Plating and Over Lay - All Confusion Cleared

Gold plated jewellery actually has a thin plating of gold over the surface of another metal usually silver or copper. The plating is done through a chemical or electrochemical process whereby a thin plate of gold usually of 10K fineness is applied. Such filled jewellery or overlay is actually created by melding a caser metal like copper or brass with ingots of gold using heat and pressure to create a kind of sandwich which is then gold plated to hide the edges. filled jewellery unlike plating looks just like karat ones and possess the same luster. Gold vermeil is a process that was developed in early 1700 in France whereby sterling silver can be combined with heavy 18K or 22K gold plating.