Guest editor Marlene M. Kristoff shares a complete guide to birthstones and jewelry.
As we begin these first weeks of our new year, I thought it would be fun to dream a bit!
Creating joy is the point of my posts! What fun it is to consider a personal gemstone and its meaning when you choose a gift, special purchase for yourself or your home! The “meaning behind things” has always piqued my curiosity…a little bit of mystery and magic. I think we all deserve a little or a lot of magic! Each of us has a special day when we arrived in this world…a day, a month, a year! It identifies us…even with a special time!! A Birth Date and Birthstone too!
With each new year, it’s enjoyable to think about new ways to create a life with meaning! I find it fascinating fun to remember loved ones with gifts, to make them realize how truly special they are! How can we personalize each day with meaning to make life more joyful? Wearing our Birthstone could be one way!
2022 6″ Pocket Journal Planner (Graphic Image) | “Be Your Own Astrologer” Book (Neiman Marcus)
Recently, I met a newly engaged couple, who chose March 19, 2022, for their wedding date to begin their “new life together.” This specific March Month, Day for their wedding and each of their Birthdays can hold significance and meaningful fun as they plan – Emerald Green! Their Birthstone gem and colors might also be a creative inspiration for their wedding color scheme, attendant’s gowns, flowers, and even translate to their home decor!
Gemologist, astrologers, and historians all weigh in on the origins and meaning of Birthstones and the significance of their color and attributes. As with much in life, it is not an exact science. Have fun with the findings!! Everyone you know has a birthday in 2022…I promise!
As a classicist and romantic, I am sharing a very traditional Birthstone list. What is your Birthstone?? Do you identify with its color and meaning? Here’s a birthstone chart to help you get started.
Many talented artists and designers have also been inspired by Birthstones! David Yurman, Jemma Wynne, Margot McKinney, Marco Bicego, Monica Rich Kosann, and Temple St. Clair among them. Certainly, the quality of each gem and metal used determines how “dear”(as the Brits say), their creations will be.
18K The Tolomeo Pendant – Temple St. Clair
American Artist Temple St. Clair has been honored by the Louvre Museum in Paris to be included in their permanent collection, Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Her remarkably beautiful work, 18K THE TOLOMEO PENDANT was their selection! Gemstones abound in this beautiful piece which is fabulous from every angle. Significantly, she is the only woman and living artist among the three who have been so honored: Temple St. Clair joins Louis Comfort Tiffany and Alexander Calder!!
Her work is beyond words! I am pleased to say, was included in my jewelry selections for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, when Director of Retail. Let’s enjoy special Birthstone possibilities for each of our fabulous 12 new months!!
Meaning dark red, similar to pomegranate seeds.
Tai Baroque Pearl Handmade Birthstone Bracelet (Neiman Marcus) | Bloomingdale’s Garnet & Diamond Accent Stacking Ring (Bloomingdale’s)
Yellow Gold Amethyst Mini Drop Necklace (Neiman Marcus) | White Agate, Amethyst & Garnet Ring (Neiman Marcus)
Latin: aqua marina = seawater
Africa Aquamarine Boule Drop Earrings (Neiman Marcus) | Drop Earrings in Hamtpon Blue Topaz, Tanzanite & Aquamarine with Diamonds (Bloomingdale’s)
A Girl’s Best Friend, hardest of Gemstones.
Assouline “Diamonds: Diamond Stories” Silk Hardcover Book (Bergdorf Goodman) | Diamond Marquise Dome Ring (Bergdorf Goodman)
Yellow Gold Inlay Collection Emerald Ring (Bergdorf Goodman) | White Gold Cushion Lab-Created Emerald & Diamond Halo Stud Earrings (Neiman Marcus)
Armenta Sueno Pave Diamond Prong-Set Pearl Ring (Neiman Marcus) | Pearl Letter K Necklace (Neiman Marcus)
Bezel-Set Ruby & Diamond Ring (Bloomingdale’s ) | Two-Tone Doublet Bracelet (Neiman Marcus)
Gem of the Sun
Gold Peridot Diamond Pendant Necklace (Neiman Marcus) | Yellow Gold Classic Collina Peridot & Diamond Drop Earrings (Bloomingdale’s)
Gold Vermeil Blue Enamel Sapphire Locket Necklace (Neiman Marcus) | Renaissance Ring with Blue Sapphires (Neiman Marcus)
Opal is considered to be one of the luckiest gems, as it contains the full rainbow.
Opal Diamond Drop (Bergdorf Goodman) | Blue Zircon and White Opal Ocean Blue Enamel Ring (Neiman Marcus)
Citrine & Diamond Drop Earrings (Macy’s) | Single-Strand Topaz Paradise Bracelet (Neiman Marcus)
Turquoise and Lapis Multi-Strand Necklace (Neiman Marcus) | Assouline “Turquoise Coast” Book (Bergdorf Goodman) | Gold & Turquoise Cuff Bracelet (Neiman Marcus)
Turquoise is the oldest Gemstone.
Until next week, enjoy exploring the mystery and magic of your own Birthstone…and those you love!! Have fun!
xoxo MMK
Style at a Certain Age Saturday guest editor Marlene M. Kristoff shares luxury retail, home, and design ideas.
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.
Very good information about birth stones.
My is sapphire
But my favorite is pearls and Diamonds
Thank you sharing
Hi Gloria –
Fun to know we share the Sapphire…September Babes we are!! One of my favorites is the Emerald…but I do loooove my Pearls and Diamonds too! Happy New Year! xoxo MMK
Great post! Fun to read new information about the various gemstones.
Happy Garnet Month ~ (I’m Amethyst) ~
Hi NC –
Happy Garnet Month and New Year to you too!! Glad you had fun with the post!! Enjoy your upcoming Amethyst B-day… Mine is September…all of them soo beautiful! xoxo MMK
I have always been interested in the meanings and mysteries behind certain gems and birthstones. There are some great stories of luck and tragedy associated with famous gems…IE the HOPE diamond! My birthstone is the Ruby and from little on up my mother told me they held good luck for me, but for that to be true, I must buy them for myself. When my future husband and I were buying our wedding rings, I found one with Rubies. To his surprise, I told him I was paying for my own ring. It has brought me 47 years of GOOD LUCK with him!
Hi Judy!
What a wonderful story of your GOOD LUCK!! Sounds like your husband was lucky too!! Your mother was definitely a wise woman…how lucky you are to have her!!
Thank you for your charming story…and wear with more good luck to come!! Happy 2022! xoxo MMK