Gemstones
How Did Gemstones Get Their Meaning?
Gemstones are valuable pieces of minerals, usually mined from deep within the Earth’s crust. The reverence humans have for these precious stones is almost as captivating as the gems themselves. The meanings attributed to these stones have developed over centuries and are influenced by a combination of cultural, historical, mystical, and spiritual beliefs. They have […]
August 13, 2023
How Do Gemstones Get Their Color?
Have you ever wondered why rubies are red, emeralds are green, and why there are white diamonds, but also pink and yellow ones? What we see as color is actually wavelengths of visible light reflected back at our eye. The color of a gemstone doesn’t emanate by itself, rather color comes from the interaction of […]
July 10, 2023
What is a Spinel Gem?
Spinel is a gemstone that comes in a variety of colors and is known for its brilliance and durability. It’s often mistaken for rubies or sapphires due to its resemblance and presence in historical gem collections. Spinel is one of only a few gemstones that can be found in every color of the spectrum, and […]
May 29, 2023
How to Care for Opal Jewelry
Opal is a unique gemstone known for its captivating play-of-color, the phenomenon of displaying flashes of different colors when viewed from different angles, and is one of the most unique gemstones in the world. While opal is a rather fragile stone, and requires special attention and care, there are ways to set it and protect […]
May 15, 2023
What is Tsavorite?
A newer gemstone on the market, Tsavorite is the stunning green variety of the grossular group of garnets. These rare gems are more affordable than emeralds, are free from inclusions, have a naturally vivid light to deep green hue and are durable enough for everyday wear. If you’re considering a green stone, Tsavorite is worth […]
March 20, 2023
What is a Princess Cut Diamond?
When choosing an engagement ring, the shape of the diamond or main stone is often where the design journey begins and the entire structure of the ring is usually created to compliment the center stone. The evolution of cuts and technology has given us an extraordinary array of shapes to choose from including the princess […]
June 23, 2022
What Color is Garnet?
Garnet is not a single mineral but actually a group of several closely related ones. The gemstones’ most widely known color is dark red but garnets are available in a variety of other colors. In addition to being found in many colors, garnets are fairly hard and durable gemstones that are ideal for jewelry use. […]
June 17, 2022
What is a Herkimer Diamond?
Herkimer diamonds are beautiful quartz crystals found around Herkimer, New York. The crystals are stunning works of nature that have a diamond-like geometrical shape hence the name “Herkimer diamonds”. While not actually diamonds, they are lovely gems that make for unique jewelry. What is a Herkimer Diamond? Herkimer diamonds are a unique type of quartz […]
June 10, 2022
What Color is Aquamarine?
Although aquamarine is exclusively blue, it’s found in a range of shades within the blue family from a pale sky blue to blue-green. Just like many other minerals, the color can be lighter or darker depending on the stone. Aquamarine is a relatively rare and beautiful mineral that can be found in a variety of […]
May 13, 2022
What Color is Emerald?
Though emeralds are classically green, they actually range in color from yellow-green to blue-green. An Emerald’s color is based on three aspects: its hue (color), saturation (intensity) and tone (purity). Let’s learn more about this highly precious gemstone of the Beryl mineral family and whether it’s a good choice for an engagement ring stone. What […]
April 14, 2022
How to Read a GIA Diamond Grading Certificate
A diamond should come with a report from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or similar gemological organization or laboratory that contains a full scientific and unbiased assessment of your diamond’s 4Cs (cut, clarity, color and carat). While these reports contain a lot of detailed information and can seem overwhelming, they are relatively easy to […]
April 7, 2022
What Colors Go With Rose Gold?
With its romantic glow and warm tone, rose gold is gaining momentum as a top choice for engagement rings. Its delicate and feminine pink glimmer gives a unique touch to traditional engagement ring rings and jewelry. Putting a twist on elegance, rose gold complements many colors and can be paired with multiple palettes. Whether cool […]
February 15, 2022