The birthstones for September are Sapphire & Lapis Lazuli. Sapphire: the name derives from the Greek word sappheiros meaning blue (which could have been referring to lapis lazuli at that time). It is from the mineral corundum and is a gemstone known for wisdom and royalty. Well the Duchess of Cambridge's engagement ring with its breathtaking sapphire surrounded by diamonds is the perfect example! The gemstone is very hard which means that, not only are sapphires used as jewellery, but they are also used in diverse applications ranging from scientific instruments to high-durable windows. Here at Pearls of the Orient...

The birthstone for August is Peridot.  Peridot: the name derives from the Arabic word faridet which means ‘gem’.  This birthstone is one of only a few gemstones where it is only one colour – green.  There are many beautiful shades of green although it is believed that the deeper the colour, the more it’s sought after.  Peridot’s green colour is derived from the amount of iron in the stone; thus the richer the green the more iron!  Peridot was originally sourced from Egypt but today it can be found in many different countries including the US, Pakistan, Vietnam and China. ...