Lucky are those born in the fourth month for their birthstone is the incomparable diamond. From atop its perch on the MOHs scale of mineral hardness, diamonds rank as the toughest mineral on earth. A sparkling white diamond is not the only choice. How about a colored stone for a new twist on tradition? In […]

This month’s birthstone delight, aquamarine, gets its name comes from the Latin words for seawater. The stone was said to calm the waves and keep sailors safe. The tranquil quality of the blue-green gem was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages. Aquamarine comes from the mineral species beryl. While pure beryl is colorless, […]

Attention lovers of purple and those born in February: Amethyst is your stone! From a light pinkish violet to a deep, saturated plum, this gem, prized by many throughout ancient times, was worn by and adorned objects of Greeks who believed that it prevented intoxication. As the most valued variety of quartz, amethyst owes its […]

Fiery red, vibrant orange, a sunset-tinged purple and a rare intense green – garnets come in just about every color to please January birthday celebrants. Fun Facts about the Garnet Family Many garnets feature a chemical mix that blends two or more of the 20 different garnet species. The five important garnet species for fine […]

If one color doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to select another! December birthday celebrants have a winter’s sky full of color choices, from icy blue to twilight purple. What makes a gemstone an “official” birthstone? Time, tradition and trends! The first century Jewish historian Josephus believed there was a connection between the 12 stones found […]

Tough and beautiful. These are the key words for September’s birthstone, sapphire. As one of the gem-varieties of the super-strong mineral family corundum (second only to diamonds in hardness), the sparkling gem delighted ancient rulers of Greece and Rome. They thought that the blazing blue of sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm. During […]

  A  shimmering shade of lime is perfect for the last stretch of summer! Join Martha Stewart, Tony Bennett, Roger Federer, Mila Kunis, Chris Hemsworth and Coolio – all August birthday celebrants and would-be wearers of Peridot. The glittering green birthstone brings good luck and peace to the wearer. From the olivine mineral family, peridot […]

“Ruby, ruby, when will you be mine?” The old song captures the feelings of many with July birthdays as they longing look at the lovely red gem. Rubies are famed for their color range from pinkish to raspberry to a vibrant true red, described as “pigeon’s blood” in jeweler-speak, which is reserved for the most […]

Go to the jewelry store, of course! We are back again with a short note about the impending day for dads. While dads might appreciate a great new grill or a stunning fishing rod, why not consider something timeless from Margaret Matson Fine Jewelry? We combine the best of sporting goods and fine jewelry in […]

   June is a great month for choices! If you celebrate a birthday this month, you may choose from three lovely and unusual gems:  pearls,  rhodolite garnet or alexandrite. The shimmering reddish-purple rhodolite garnet is a crowd pleaser, and the rare and unusual alexandrite features an optical phenomenon: it appears green when viewed in natural […]