What Is Your Birthstone?

Garnet

• Garnet is the Birthstone for January• There are six common types of Garnet,

Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartine, Grossular, Uvarovite and Andradite

• The word “Garnet” comes from the Middle English word “Gernet” which means dark red which this stone is.

Amethyst

• Amethyst is the Birthstone for February• Ancient Greeks believe that the Amethyst

stops people from getting drunk.• Amethyst is often used in jewellery and is

sometimes mistaken for Quartz• This gem is featured in the Deltora Quest

Series by Emily Rodda, and symbolises truth• This is my brother’s Birthstone

Aquamarine

• The Aquamarine is the Birthstone for March• The blue of the Aquamarine symbolizes

sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship.• The Aquamarine is considered the sailors’

lucky charm• According to Legend the Aquamarine stone

promises a happy marriage

Diamond

• Diamond is the Birthstone for April• Since the Ancient Times people have used

diamonds for jewellery• Diamonds are one of the hardest gemstones and

the most expensive• This gem is also in the Deltora Quest series and

symbolizes strength and bravery • This is my Birthstone and because of this IT IS THE

MOST AWESOME GEMSTONE/BIRTHSTONE

Emerald

• The Emerald is the Birthstone for May• This gem is another of the seven gems in the

Deltora Quest series and it symbolises honour and dulls in the presence of evil.

• In Deltora Quest it is also a cure for poison• This is my dad’s Birthstone

Pearl

• Pearl is the Birthstone for June• Pearls are created when an oyster covers a

foreign object with layers of nacre.• Nacre is a composite material and is also

produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer.

• This is my mum’s birthstone

Ruby

• Ruby is the Birthstone for July• Rubies are the second hardest substance after

diamonds• A ruby is the 6th gem in the Belt of Deltora

from the Deltora series and symbolises happiness and wards off evil spirits.

• Ruby is named after the Latin word "ruber" for red.

Peridot

• Peridot is the Birthstone for August • It is one of the only gems that only comes in

one colour• These days Peridot is mostly found in Arizona,

China, Vietnam and Pakistan

Sapphire

• The Sapphire is the Birthstone for September• In the ring that Prince William gave to Princess

Kate had a giant Sapphire in it• Is considered the blue sister of the ruby• While blue is the classic Sapphire colour,

Sapphire is actually found in a wide range of colours.

Opal

• The Opal is the Birthstone for October• Opal is mostly found in limonite, sandstone,

rhyolite, marl and bassalt• This is one of the other gems of the Belt of

Deltora and symbolises hope

Topaz

• The Topaz is the Birthstone for November• The Topaz symbolises friendship and is the

sate Utah’s national gemstone in the US• In Deltora Quest the Topaz symbolises

faithfulness and strengthens at the full moon

Turquoise

• The Turquoise is the Birthstone for December• Turquoise, the blue cousin to Lapis Lazuli, has

been known and valued for thousands of years

• Turquoise has been known as a holy stone, a good-luck-charm or a talisman

• It is believed to promote good fortune, happiness, and long life

Notes

• All the things that the gems symbolise in the Deltora Quest Series are not true, but they make the books really interesting

• I make references to this series because I have read it and I really enjoyed this series

• This background is called sapphire but I didn’t use it because a sapphire is made in many colours

• It took me two days (literally) to make this presentation so I hope you enjoyed it!