Sapphire is the Birthstone for September

Extremely rare and fine, non heated, sugarloaf sapphire 24.86 carats total, circa 1930 at Fourtane 

For those celebrating a birthday in September, sapphire is the traditional birthstone.

Art Deco sapphire and diamond bracelet circa 1930 at Fourtane

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum and is found in every color of the rainbow with red being designated as ruby, all other hues sapphire. The most prized color of sapphire is a rich, sumptuous blue reminiscent of a heavenly night sky.

Gorgeous cushion cut sapphire and diamond earrings at Fourtane

Today sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nigeria. Although sapphires are no longer mined there, the most prized examples were sourced in Kashmir mines over 120 years ago. These sapphires are revered for their unparalleled royal blue color saturation and superb, velvety texture. Kashmir sapphires have almost a mythical reputation in the gemstone world. They are so scarce that they are rarely offered for auctions at Sotheby's or Christie's, though top stones draw record prices when they come on to the market.

Elegant pear shaped sapphire ring at Fourtane 12.83 carats 

The allure of sapphires has endured for centuries. They have long been a favorite among royalty who,  throughout history, considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity. Sapphires are prominent in the British Crown Jewels and the iconic ring made famous by Princess Diana. 

Museum quality, antique, cabochon sapphire (26.49 carats) and diamond (5.92 carats) brooch circa 1875 at Fourtane 

"A maiden born when autumn leaves

Are rustling in September breeze,

A sapphire on her brow should bind;

To bring her joy and peace of mind."

Peridot is the August Birthstone

Victorian Peridot Suie circa 1875 at Fourtane

For those celebrating a birthday in August, Peridot is the traditional birthstone.

"Tiffany & Co." Peridot and Diamond earrings at Fourtane

This vibrant green stone is a mineral called Olivine and is found in a range of greens varying from pale yellow to dark olive. Peridot is mined in Burma, Brazil, Australia, the Congo and Hawaii. Peridot is slowly formed within the earth's mantle where heat and pressure are abundant. Early natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii and explained their presence as tears shed by Pele, the fire goddess.

Peridot and Fancy Yellow Diamond Pendant at Fourtane

Peridot was a popular stone in Victorian jewelry during the reign of King Edward VII of England who proclaimed it his favorite gemstone. It has been discovered in ruins of ancient Egypt and Greece and was often referred to as the "Evening Emerald" because it's color seemed more vivid at lamplight making it resemble deep green emeralds.

Peridot bracelet signed Buccellati at Fourtane

"Wear a peridot or for thee,

No conjugal fidelity,

The August born without this stone,

Tis said, must live unloved alone."

Staff Favorite: Vintage Rolex

The Day Date by Rolex was presented at the Basel Fair in 1956 as the first watch to indicate both the date and day of the week on the dial. The Day Date gained it's name as the "President" when it was gifted by the Rolex corporation to President Dwight D. Eisenhower commemorating his re-election and consequently, the Rolex Day Date is popularly known as the "President" or the "Presidential" and is only available in 18k gold or platinum.

Produced for the Middle Eastern clientele in limited quantity, the bold hued lacquer "Stella" dial Day Dates are extremely rare and highly collectable among Rolex enthusiasts.

Also gaining interest with collectors are the vintage stone dials in Lapis, Tiger's Eye, Malachite and wood on Day Date and Date Just models. Each of these attractive dials has different striations and patterns and no two are alike.

Fourtane is extremely proud to offer a vast collection of these unique and sought after timepieces.

Ruby is the July Birthstone

Stunning 50 carat Ruby and Diamond earrings at Fourtane

$125,000

For those celebrating a birthday in July, Ruby is the traditional birthstone.

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond ring circa 1930 at Fourtane

$15,000

The rich red color of a Ruby emotes love and fiery passion. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum and is the second hardest mineral after a Diamond. Corundum comes in an array of colors and is considered a Sapphire in any other color but red. Ruby ranges from pink hue to a vivid "pigeon blood" red, the most beautiful and sought after examples are sourced in Burma.

"Aletto Bros." Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum at Fourtane

$35,000

Ruby is referred to as "Rajnapura" or King of Gems by the ancient Hindus and has been among the most prized stones throughout history. The Ruby was thought to posses magical powers and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was believed that Ruby's red glow came from an eternal flame that could not be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love and an ideal engagement gem.

Edwardian Ruby, Diamond and Emerald Salamander Brooch at Fourtane

$7,500

"The gleaming Ruby should adorn,

All those who in July are born,

For thus they'll be exempt and free

From lover's doubts and anxiety."

Pearl is the Birthstone for June

For those celebrating a birthday in the month of June, Pearl is the traditional birthstone.

South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings at Fourtane $16,500

Timeless, demure and elegant pearls are one of the world's most highly regarded gemstones. The humble beginnings of a pearl start when a single grain of sand or shell becomes lodged within the soft tissue of a living mollusk and over the years a protective substance called nacre is produced. Layer upon layer of nacre coats the intrusive sand or shell and creates a lustrous pearl. It takes approximately eight years for a natural pearl to form.

72 inch Baroque Pearl Strand Necklace at Fourtane $12,500

Natural pearls are extremely rare. Divers harvest pearls in the Persian Gulf, the South Pacific Islands, Australia, Japan and China. Cultured pearls account for 90 percent of the pearl industry. The value of a pearl is determined by size, shape, color, quality of surface and luster.

"Salavetti" multi-colored pearl and black diamond ring at Fourtane $18,000

Sumptuous pearls are regarded as one of nature's great treasures and are a symbol of purity and unblemished perfection in virtually every culture. It is the oldest known gem and for centuries was considered the most valuable. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, pearls were at the height of royal wedding fashion and everyone from the bride to her male guests was adorned in glowing pearls.

Antique Pearl Pendant circa 1880 at Fourtane $5,500

"Who comes with summer to this earth

And owes to June her month of birth

A pearl should wear against her skin

Who's innocence many a heart will win"

Staff Favorite: the Rolex "Commando"

This Rolex "Commando", reference# 6429, is an extremely rare and highly collectable manual wind watch that was limited in production in, and only in, 1972. Regarded as a stripped down version of the Explorer, reference# 1016, it's case is much thinner, with different hands, but has the same "3,6,9" markers on it's dial. The "Commando" was sold exclusively at Post Exchange stores on United States military bases. This model was the least expensive watch in the Rolex catalog at the time, and is now among the rarest, most sought after Rolex timepieces ever produced.

Emerald is the May Birthstone

Art Deco diamond and emerald ring circa 1926 at Fourtane $75,000

For those celebrating a birthday in May, emerald is the traditional birthstone. Quality emeralds are mined in Africa, Russia and India. Colombia is the source of the most prized examples, with rich, alluring color. The lush green hue of an emerald is unparalleled in the gem kingdom. The sublime, vibrant color in this beryl is caused by trace amounts of chromium and iron. Unlike other beryl varieties, emeralds usually contain inclusions that are not considered flaws, but rather part of the stone's character.

Art Deco cabochon emerald and diamond bracelet circa 1930 at Fourtane $30,000

For more than 4,000 years emeralds have been among the most sought after of all jewels. Ancient Egyptians mined emeralds in the eastern desert region for centuries. During her reign, Cleopatra's use and love of emeralds led to her name being attached to the mine, an association that remains present day 

7.13 carat oval emerald at Fourtane, $70,000

It is believed that wearing an emerald brings wisdom, growth and patience, all essential for a successful and enduring love. It is the gemstone commemorating 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.

Van Cleef and Arpels emerald ring at Fourtane $18,000

"Who first beholds the light of day

In spring's sweet, flower month of May

And wears an emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and loving wife."