Oh the stories a gemstone can tell! …History says that the tablets brought down by Moses with the Ten Commandments were made of Sapphire. The Persians believed that the world stood on a sapphire and the color of the sky was a mere reflection of that stone’s color. Many cultures believe that Sapphires had health … Read more
Turquoise is a phosphate (copper and aluminum) and has been used as an ornamental stone for centuries. It is opaque and valuable in its purest forms but it’s value has suffered in recent time as a result as a result of the availability of synthetic stones and treatments. It is no harder than window glass … Read more
Iolite is a beautiful blue gemstone whose appeal is enhanced by its natural Pleochroism – that is, it reflects light in different colors depending on the angle it’s viewed from. Iolite jewelry is more affordable than its equivalent Sapphire or Tanzanite piece, so it makes a good alternative to someone looking to add a splash of … Read more
Citrine gets its name from its color, the citrus yellow of lemons and it is has historically been incorrectly referred to as Gold Topaz despite not being one of those precious stones. Other common names include Bahia, Madeira and Rio Grande Topaz. These deceptive terms have led to Topaz needing the adjective “pure” before it … Read more
It can be difficult, when making jewelry or gemstone purchases, to decipher the terminology used to describe the origins of a gemstone. The significant differences in price of natural, synthetic and imitation stones can easily turn what looks like a good deal into a costly overpriced purchase. Use this guide to learn what these words … Read more
When choosing a gemstone for everyday wear, it is important to know how your gemstone is going to hold up against encounters with countertops, doorknobs, suitcase handles, and the myriad other hard surfaces that rings, bracelets, and other gemstone items unwittingly come into contact with. Even gemstones that rank high on the Mohs scale of … Read more
Have you ever wondered how gemstones got their associations with healing properties? Since ancient times, people have used gemstones for their metaphysical qualities as well as their beauty. Ancient Romans wore amethyst for a surprising reason: they believed that doing so would prevent drunkenness! While we do not claim that gemstones posses magical powers, we … Read more
Tourmaline is most known for the broad and dynamic range of colors in which it can be found. This palette, from crisp greens and blues to deep pinks, purples, reds and every color in between, is how Tourmaline is most commonly showcased within the modern jewelry industry. Tourmaline, in their finest examples, are barely included … Read more
The value of Aquamarine gemstones is very much determined by their aesthetics. As with most gemstones the 4C’s of cut, color, carat, and clarity all come into play when pricing this gemstone. What is the best color for Aquamarine gemstones? Color is probably one of the more important determinants of Aquamarine value. The richer and … Read more
Aquamarine is a gorgeous blue variety of beryl that is of high enough grade to be considered a gem stone. Beryl is a clear mineral that is colored by impurities and makes up a variety of gemstones, including Emeralds and, of course, Aquamarine. In the case of Aquamarine, it is iron ‘impurities’, in ferris and … Read more