GARNET - belongs to one of the most exciting families in the gem world. A hard, durable, often very brilliant stone, available in many colours (greens, reds, yellows, oranges), it offers far greater versatility and opportunity for the jewellery trade than has yet been capitalised upon. Depending upon the variety, quality, and size, lovely garnets are available for under $20 per carat or more than $3,000 per carat. Garnet also occurs in certain shades of red that have been taken for some varieties of ruby. And in yellow it has been confused with precious topaz. Garnet can be found in almost every colour and shade except blue. It is best known in a deep red variety, sometimes with a brownish cast, but it is commonly found in orangish brown shades, and brilliant wine red shades as well. Other colours include orange, red purple, violet, and pink. 
OPAL - whose brilliance and vibrant colours resemble the colours of the fall, is certainly appropriate as a birthstone for October. When we try to describe the opal, we realise how insufficient the English language is. It is unique among the gems, displaying an array of very brilliant miniature rainbow effects, all mixed up together. Its most outstanding characteristic is this unusual, intense display of many colours flashing out like mini-rainbows. This effect is created by opal's formation process, which is very different from that of other gems. Opal is composed of hydrated silica spheres. The mini rainbows seen in most opals result from light interference created by these spheres. The arrangement of the spheres, which vary in size and pattern, is responsible for the different colours seen. Opal is usually cut flat or in cabochon, since there is no additional brilliance to be captured by a good faceting job. Colour is everything. The more brilliant the colour, the more valuable the gem. It is probably truer of opal than any other stone that the more beautiful the stone and its colour, the more it will cost. 
PERIDOT - is the birthstone for August. Peridot was also a favourite of the ancients. This lovely transparent yellowish green to deep chartreuse stone was quite a powerful gem. It was considered an aid to friendship and was also believed to free the mind of envious thoughts. (Which is probably why it was an aid to friendship.) Because of its yellowish green colour, it was also believed to cure or prevent diseases of the liver and dropsy. And, if that's not enough, if worn on the left arm it would protect the wearer from the evil eye. It is also popular today, but probably more for its depth of green colour than its professed powers. While not particularly brilliant, the richness of its colour is exceptional. It comes in shades of yellowish green to darker, purer green colours. It is available in small sizes; larger sizes are becoming scarce. It is not a hard stone and may scratch easily. Also, some stones may look like peridot (green sapphire, green troumaline) and be mistaken for peridot and be misrepresented.
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