STERLING SILVER: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling."

SPINEL: This rare and durable gemstone, found in a beguiling shade of inky black, catches the eye when set in rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Spinel is also found in captivating tones of pink, purple and green. The red variety is beautiful in its own right and in ages past it was mistaken for a ruby.

DIOPSIDE: Though quite rare, diopside is one of the most affordable green gemstones. This gorgeous newcomer, mined mainly in Siberia, lights up jewelry designs with vibrant shades of green and makes an ideal choice for pendants, rings and earrings. The most popular variety is chrome diopside which features a medium-dark vivid green hue.

CITRINE: A member of the quartz family, citrine symbolizes cheerfulness and prosperity. Its name is derived from the French word citron meaning lemon. This sunny stone comes in colors from lemon yellow to amber brown, with its coloring agent attributed to iron. Citrine is the birthstone for November.

TRIANGLE: A three-sided, pointed shape.

RHODOLITE: Rhodolite charms in a range of feminine shades — from rose to raspberry to purplish-red. Lighter than a ruby, rhodolite garnets offer a lovely, romantic look. Rhodolite can be a delightful twist on the traditional January birthstone.

OVAL: An elliptical shape that resembles an egg.

TOPAZ: Available in a stunning selection of shades, the topaz's sky blue hue is one of the most popular colors for jewelry designs. Once thought to offer protection, today topaz is favored for its durability and affordability. Yellow topaz is the birthstone for November while blue topaz is for December.

PEAR: Similar to the outline of a pear fruit, this is a round shape that comes to a point on one side.

TANZANITE: Found in the 1960's, tanzanite is new and rare discovery that captures magnificent shades of purple, violet and blue. Its crystal structure allows light to enter the stone and divide into two or three sectors which enhances the intensity of color. Tanzanite is an alternate for December birthstones.