1. Gemstones
Gemstones are minerals that can be cut and polished for use in jewelry and related products.
Mineral gemstones include: sapphire, ruby, diamond, emerald, topaz, turquoise and opal

2. Why are some gems so expensive?
With the exception of diamonds, most gemstones are highly valued because of their:
Beauty
Rarity
Tradition
Perception of permanence

3. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones
Original Publication Date: 1913
Claimed that the twelve stones on Aaron’s breastplate symbolized the 12 months of the year, not the 12 tribes.
The Hebrew calendar contains either 12 or 13 months in a year.

4. January February March garnet rose quartz SiO2 amethyst onyx SiO2
94.83 CT.
$266.75
14.60 CT.
$737.99
Price per CT. $50
Price per CT. $0.35
January
garnet
rose quartz
SiO2
18.61 CT.
$626.99
Price per CT. $34
February
amethyst
onyx
9.48 CT.
$9.99
Price per CT. $0.95
SiO2
CT.
$7,854.59
Price per CT. $75
March
aquamarine
bloodstone
3.04 CT.
$12.99
Price per CT. $4.27
SiO2

5. April May June diamond rock crystal SiO2 emerald chrysoprase SiO2
4, CT.
$2,528.75
1.61 CT.
$10,368.40
Price per CT. $6,440
Price per CT. $0.56
April
diamond
rock crystal
SiO2
4.70 CT. $
4.57 CT.
$9.35
Price per CT. $6,344
Price per CT. $2.08
May
emerald
chrysoprase
SiO2
15.58 CT.
$93,230.99
42.53 CT.
$119.80
Price per CT. $5,984
Price per CT. $2.82
June
alexandrite
moonstone

6. October November December opal tourmaline SiO2 topaz citrine zircon
$18,688.16
13.06 CT.
$774.79
October
Price per CT. $702
Price per CT. $57
SiO2
topaz
citrine
31.03 CT.
$23,236.19
18.97 CT.
$160.67
November
Price per CT. $749
Price per CT. $8
zircon
tanzanite
5.84 CT.
$219.95
13.32 CT.
$6,681.99
December
Price per CT. $502
Price per CT. $38

7. “A Diamond is Forever”

8. African Diamond Producing Countries
Guinea
Central African Rep.
Sierra Leone
Dem. Rep. Congo
Liberia
Tanzania
Ivory Coast
Botswana
Ghana
Lesotho
Angola
South Africa
Namibia