Aquamarine, the birthstone of March, has a rich color and has long been a symbol of youth, health and hope. Its mesmerizing color ranges from pale to deep blue and are reminiscent of the sea. A perfect birthstone for March, the Aquamarine creates a beautiful accent to spring and summer wardrobes.
Opal is the birthstone for October, and if you were born in this month, you should consider yourself very lucky indeed. This is a stone that has been highly regarded since the time of the ancient Greeks because it symbolizes purity and hope. The ancient Romans also considered it an excellent protector against harm and danger. Opals can exist in many different colors. White Opals are white with light sparkles like the colors of the rainbow. Black Opals appear gray, blue, [...]
It’s been a while since I’ve been online I’ve. Spent the last few months helping a jeweler with a retirement sale. Might I ad it was a very successful sale. In that period, I’ve noticed online conversions and concern with “Internet sales” and the effect it may be having on stores. Many of you are feeling it affects. Some have even lost significant sales to the internet. The biggest concern is how do we compete? Before getting into the [...]
Sapphire is the September birthstone. It is most desired in its pure blue color. Sapphire comes in a rainbow of colors but, when its red it is Ruby. Throughout the Middle Ages, Sapphire was believed to protect people from harm. It was also a symbol of loyalty. The September birthstone is a precious stone of nobility, faithfulness, and wisdom. It is believed to focus the mind, promote self-discipline, and carry higher powers. When people say Sapphire, they often refer to [...]
The August birthstone, peridot, symbolizes strength. It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color. It was once believed that the green peridot crystals found in volcanic ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele. Peridots are also closely connected to the Hawaiian culture—they are thought to be the tears of the volcano goddess Pele. The Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” and some believed that it protected against nightmares. It was also [...]
The July birthstone is considered the king of gems. It represents love, health, wisdom, and success. It was believed wearing a beautiful red Ruby bestowed good fortune on its owner. Ruby is the most valuable gemstone and its value increases based on its color and quality. Like diamonds, rubies are evaluated using the 4Cs, plus size and geographic origin. The most important feature of ruby is its red color, as other hues of this gem are considered sapphire. The [...]
Birthstone for June is alexandrite: “Emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is well known for displaying one of the most remarkable color changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red or purple in incandescent light. The modern June birthstone is so rare and expensive few people have seen a natural alexandrite. This variety of gem-quality chrysoberyl makes an excellent jewelry stone (if you can acquire one). Clarity also plays a significant role in grading. As is [...]
In an effort to help explain some of the mysteries of gems and as we try to learn more about gems and gemology one of the most fascinating is the diamond. The fascination with diamond goes back thousands of years, one of the hardest substance known to man yet it’s not tough. So many people think that because diamond is hard that it’s tough, not true, if you took a hammer and tap to diamond it would shatter. Take [...]
