Contributed by Info Guru Terri Wallace

While it is said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, chances are good that most girls would love any one of these gems.

For a birthday, Mother’s Day, or no particular reason at all, surprise her with one of these brilliant and expensive gemstones that will sparkle almost as much as her smile.

10. Opal

The opal is the birthstone for October. The internal construction of precious opal makes it diffract light. The condition under which the opal is formed determines the colors of the opal. Precious opal can be clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. The reds against black colored opals are the rarest, whereas white and greens are the most common.

9. Garnet

Garnet is the birthstone for January. Garnet is also traditionally given as a gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary. Garnet occurs in every color except blue and most varieties are named for their color. In earlier times, friends exchanged gifts of garnets to symbolize their affection for one other and to insure that they would meet again.

8. Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, and has long been believed to give the wearer foresight, courage, and joy. Ancient folklore states that sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to ensure safe travels and to prevent seasickness.

7. Peridot

Peridot is the birthstone for August. This stone was referred to in the Bible under the name Chrysolite. Peridot was believed to be a good luck stone, and was worn to diffuse temper and tension.

6. Tanzanite

Tanzanite is one of the recognized gemstones for December. Tanzanite was initially discovered in Tanzania, East Africa, in 1967 and is considered one of the newer and more strikingly colored gemstones.

5. Amethyst

Amethyst is the official birthstone for February. Amethyst is actually a purple variety of quartz. It must be purple to be classified as an amethyst, but it can range in shades from deep purple to lilac or lavender –even mauve. The most desired color of amethyst is deep purple with rose-colored flashes. Due to its purple color, amethyst was prized among royalty for many thousands of years. Add amethyst to your jewelry case, and join in the ranks of royalty.

4. Sapphire

Sapphire is the birthstone for September. Blue is the most popular color for sapphires; however, sapphires can be practically any color, including yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. Legend assets that sapphires have several powers include spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. It is also considered to strengthen telekinesis, telepathy, clairvoyance and astral projection.

3. Ruby

Ruby is the birthstone for July. “Pigeon blood” red is the most desired color for rubies. Rubies symbolize an inextinguishable fire, and have long been valued in the Asian countries. In fact, rubies were laid underneath the foundation of buildings to attract good fortune to the structure.

2. Emerald

Emerald is the birthstone for May. Besides Topaz, Emerald is the only gem stone that is listed as in each of the ancient birthstone tables. The emerald is also a popular anniversary gift for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. Legend has it that Cleopatra preferred emeralds above all other gems.

1. Diamond

Perhaps diamonds really are a girl’s best friend. Diamond comes from the Greek word adámas, meaning “unbreakable,” and is the hardest known naturally occurring material according the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. According to ancient folklore, if a diamond is offered as a pledge of love or friendship, the spirit contained in the gem will transfer its good luck to the recipient—all the more reason to give her a diamond as a token of your love.