Legend and lore of birthstones for your mother's ring
Ultimately, evaluating gemstones is a visual art. A trained gemologist can examine the look of a fine specimen, and base an appraisal on the vibrant color, and the clarity of the stone, as well as the quality of cut.

Here is a birth stone list that compares actual photographs of fine quality gemstones and inferior quality gemstones, so that you can see the difference for yourself in the birthstones you choose for your mothers ring

• Garnet (birthstone of January):
  Garnet comes from the Greek word "granatum" meaning "pomegranate seed". It is symbolic for many different religions. Ancient Hebrew legend states that garnet was one of the twelve gems in the breastplate of Aaron. Christians have seen it to symbolize the sacrifices of Christ. And the Koran states that garnet illuminates the Fourth Heaven of Islam. Primitive cultures believed garnet could smooth discord and prevent bloodshed.
  
  
• Amethyst (birthstone of February):
  Ancients believed amethyst would protect them from drunkenness. In fact its name is taken from the greek "A-methystos", meaning, "not drunken". Legend has it that Bacchus, the greek god of wine, grew angry at mortals, and vowed that the next mortal to cross his path would be eaten by tigers. Just then a young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to worship the Goddess Diana. Diana, Knowing of Bacchus’ plan turned Amethyst into a statue of colorless quartz to save her from the tigers teeth. Bacchus, seeing this repented and cried tears of wine over the young Amethyst, staining her purple. A beautiful stone for a mother day ring.
  
  
• Aquamarine (birthstone of March):
  Aquamarine comes from the Latin for "sea water". It is said to offer the wearer foresight, courage, and happiness. Legend is that sailors wore it to sea to keep them safe and ward of seasickness. It was also believed to be the treasure of mermaids. Aquamarine is said to bring love, increase intelligence, and restore youth. A great stone for a family ring.
  
  
• Diamond (birthstone of April):
  The word diamond comes from the Greek "adamas", meaning, "unconquerable". The Greeks believed diamonds to be star splinters fallen to earth. The tradition of diamonds as a symbol of love comes from the Roman belief that Cupids arrows were tipped with them. But the tradition of the diamond engagement ring didn’t start ‘till much later, when, In 1477, the Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave one to Mary of Burgundy.
  
  
• Emerald (birthstone of May):
  The Roman scholar Plinly loved emeralds because, in his words, "Nothing green is greener.". The Moguls of India inscribed them with sacred texts and wore them as talismans. One such talisman, a 78 carat emerald, reads, "He who possesses this charm shall enjoy the special protection of God", in Persian. Cleopatra loved her emeralds more than any other gem, though it is now believed that her "emeralds" were actually peridot.
  
  
• Alexandrite (birthstone of June):
  Alexandrite was discovered in 1830 in Russia. As red and green, the colors of alexandrite, were also the colors of Imperial Russia the stone was named after the Czarevich Alexander ll on the occasion of his coming of age. Alexandrite is still believed to be a good omen in Russia.
  
  
• Ruby (birthstone of July):
  The ruby is said to bring wisdom, happiness, and health, and symbolizes success, devotion, and integrity. It was thought to bring good luck to both lovers and gamblers. The ruby was said to help mend bad relationships as well as encourage stable ones. Rubies are beautiful for gem stone jewelry.
  
  
• Peridot (birthstone of August):
  Peridot is thought to ensure good luck, peace, and success. It is said that what Cleopatra thought were her "emeralds" were actually peridot. Legend has it that peridot was first mined on the Egyptian island of Zeberget, but only at night because it was believed that peridot could not be seen by day. Large peridots still decorate the shrine of the three magi at the Cologne Cathedral.
  
  
• Sapphire (birthstone of September):
  Ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that sapphire’s reflection colored the sky. While some ancient Hebrew writers believed that the Ten Commandments were written on sapphire. More recently, the engagement ring Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana was a sapphire ring.
  
  
• Pink Tourmaline (birthstone of October):
  The word Tourmaline comes from the Singhalese "tourmalli" which means "mixed colored stones". Tourmaline is thought to represent Autumn because the red and green colors of some tourmaline are reminiscent of the turning of the leaves. This is why it has become the birthstone of October.
  
  
• Imperial Topaz (birthstone of November):
  Topaz comes from the Sanskrit "tapas", meaning "fire". The Greeks believed it could increase strength and make the wearer invisible. The Romans believed it could improve eyesight. And the Egyptians believed a topaz amulet could protect the wearer from injury.
  
  
• Blue Zircon (birthstone of December):
  Zircon, known to the ancients as hyacinth, provided the wearer with wisdom, honor, and riches. For women it was believed to aid in childbirth, and for men it was believed to keep evil spirits and bad dreams away. When zircon lost its lustre it was thought to be warning of danger