Quick Reference October birthstones: opal (traditional) and tourmaline (added 1952). Opal’s rainbow: silica spheres diffract light into flashes of color (play-of-color). Tourmaline’s rainbow: the elbaite mineral grows in nearly every color, sometimes more than one in the same crystal. Meanings: opal for hope and innocence, tourmaline for balance. Zodiac: Libra (through Oct 22), Scorpio (Oct

Quick Reference The rule: Split a locally grown persimmon seed and read the white pattern inside. Fork: Mild winter ahead. Spoon (shovel): Snowy winter, enough to need a shovel. Knife: Harsh, biting cold that “cuts like one.” Named expert: Melissa Bunker, “The Persimmon Lady,” reads persimmons for the Farmers’ Almanac from North Carolina. The persimmon

Have you ever wondered why wishing on a shooting star is believed to be good luck? Learn more about shooting star superstitions and what makes them so special. Read on. What Is a Shooting Star? Shooting stars are a delight to see streaking through the night sky, and while these fleeting dashes of light only

Quick Reference: September Birthstone Birthstone: Sapphire (with lapis lazuli and aventurine as traditional alternates) Meaning: Wisdom, loyalty, royalty, and a long-running symbol of “blessings from heaven” Mineral: Corundum (aluminum oxide), Mohs 9; only diamond is harder Why it is blue: Trace iron and titanium in colorless corundum Top of the market: Kashmir “cornflower blue,” first

Quick Reference: August Birthstones Modern stones: Peridot (primary), spinel, and sardonyx Primary color: Light olive-green (peridot) Meaning: Prosperity, strength, protection, and a sense of one’s destiny Mohs hardness: Peridot 6.5 to 7, spinel 8, sardonyx 6.5 to 7 Zodiac: Leo (July 23 to August 22) and Virgo (August 23 to September 22) Anniversary: Peridot marks

Quick Reference: The July Birthstone July’s birthstone: Ruby (red corundum). Symbolism: Passion, courage, protection, and love. Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. What makes it red: Traces of chromium in the corundum crystal. Top grade: “Pigeon Blood Ruby” from the Mogok valley in Burma (Myanmar). Sanskrit name: ratnaraj, the king of

Quick Reference June birthstones: pearl (primary), moonstone, and alexandrite. One of only three months with a triple-stone lineup. Pearl meaning: purity, loyalty, and wisdom. The only birthstone grown by a living creature, not mined. Moonstone meaning: new beginnings, intuition, and protection while traveling. Alexandrite meaning: balance and transformation. Famous for changing color from green in

Have you ever wondered if the poppy seeds on the bagel you’re eating come from the same poppy flower that produces opium? They actually do, but they have been scrubbed of the milky substance which forms illegal narcotics and therefore are perfectly safe to eat. Don’t be alarmed: The poppy flowers growing in your backyard are a different species! There are 120 varieties of poppies, only one of which you cannot grow in the US. Learn all about poppy flower history, nutrition, folklore, and tips for growing. Read on.

Quick Reference May birthstone: Emerald, a green variety of the mineral beryl. Meaning: Fertility, rebirth, wisdom, and eternal love. Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Color source: Trace chromium and vanadium inside the crystal. Main sources today: Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Afghanistan. Zodiac tie-in: Taurus (primary) and Gemini (secondary). Anniversaries: 20th and 35th

The diamond is April's birthstone. Its name comes from the Greek word, “adamas,” meaning unconquerable and indestructible. What makes it so special? Learn about its legendary hardness, unmatched sparkle, and mysterious folklore. We explain why ancient Egyptians wore diamonds on their ring fingers and other surprising facts about this rare gem. Read on.