| It's time to start thinking about birthday and Mother's | | | | technique will apply with amethysts, for example, but |
| Day gifts for family members and friends. This is | | | | won't work for rubies. |
| especially true if you are making some jewelry for | | | | Third, it is important to remember the traditional color |
| someone special. For some, birthstones can be a | | | | for each month, but to also keep in mind the |
| wonderful and unique gift when worked into a | | | | preference of the person who will receive the jewelry. |
| hand-crafted piece of jewelry. | | | | Sapphire is the stone for September and blue is the |
| Before rushing out to your favorite bead or craft shop, | | | | traditional color. But Sapphires come in blue, yellow, pink, |
| here are a few things to consider. First, let's talk price. If | | | | purple, orange or green. (It also comes in red, but this is |
| the targeted recipient was born in January or February, | | | | known as a ruby.) We usually go with the standard |
| the cost is reasonable. Garnets and amethysts, | | | | blue color, but if the person who will wear the piece |
| respectively, are not usually deal breakers. But April | | | | really likes pink, then maybe you should choose pink. |
| and May, with diamonds and emeralds, respectively, | | | | Sapphire is not the only birthstone to trick us in that |
| can be killers! So, think about the month involved and | | | | manner. A garnet is usually thought of as a deep red |
| what that stone is before deciding to undertake the | | | | color, and that is the traditional color for the month of |
| project. Is the recipient that special and will your pocket | | | | January. Just remember that garnets also come in |
| book stand up under the strain? | | | | brown, yellow and green (the green garnet is known |
| Second, even if the month is April or May, map out | | | | as peridot which is one of two birthstone options for |
| your pattern. Using a single stone instead of a dozen | | | | August). Tourmalines can also appear in several colors, |
| will greatly reduce the project cost. Stone size and | | | | so focus on the primary color for that month, and then |
| quality will also reduce the cost. Be honest here: How | | | | add the twist of the recipient's color preference. |
| many of us know the difference in diamond grades? If | | | | Once you've considered all those factors, it's time to |
| you're like most of us, you depend on the integrity of | | | | choose a pattern or design your own piece, and buy |
| your jeweler, not your own knowledge and eye. | | | | some stones and beads. Then, get busy.....it's never too |
| Considering the use of chips instead of full stones or | | | | soon to start making your Christmas gifts! |
| crystals will reduce both the cost and the weight. This | | | | |