Birthstones

By Andrea Venn, Ph.D., CGA, JEA If you’re looking to enhance your jewelry collection with one of the original precious gems, ruby may be the perfect fit for you. Ruby is the red form of corundum. Corundum can be seen in multiple hues due to trace elements. The trace element chromium gives corundum its red color, and it can also cause fluorescence, which further enhances the red hue. This separates ruby from all other colors of corundum, which are instead referred to as sapphire. The American Gem Society specifies that ruby must be a medium or darker tone of red,

By Andrea Venn, PhD, CGA, American Gem Society Pearls have been desirable since people discovered them while eating shellfish. Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman societies of antiquity frequently saw pearls as tears of the gods, morning dew, or the result of lightning hitting the sea. During the Roman Empire, pearl trading in the West reached its first recorded peak as the conquest of Eastern regions brought large volumes of pearls to Rome. In the 16th century, ships laden with pearls from the Americas spurred piracy between the Spanish and British. The Great Pearl Age of the English Renaissance continued through

December’s birthstones offer a trio of dazzling gems with a beautiful blue hue: tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. Each gem boasts a unique charm and history, making them perfect for those celebrating their birthday in the last month of the year—or anyone looking to add a touch of vibrant blue to their collection. Tanzanite: A Rare and Exotic Beauty Tanzanite, the rare blue-purple variety of zoisite, is found exclusively in Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro. Discovered in 1967, its striking color, caused by trace amounts of vanadium and extreme heat, ranges from pale blue to deep ultramarine with violet undertones. Due to

By Isabelle Corvin, CG, Panowicz Jewelers The phrase “play-of-color” is whimsical yet accurate! Technically speaking, a gemstone is classified as a beautiful, rare, and durable mineral. Phenomenal gemstones are those jewels that go above and beyond with exceptional and stunning attributes. While there are several phenomena that gemstones can have, one of the most well-known and magical is play-of-color. Opals are famous for this phenomenon because of these pinpricks and flashes of color. Play-of-color can appear like the broad strokes of a paintbrush, little flecks of light, or a brilliant patchwork of bold colors. These patterns are called flash fire,

Sapphires, the birthstone for September, are renowned for their rich blue hue, but they also come in a stunning spectrum of colors. From vivid pinks and yellows to gorgeous green and purple shades, sapphires offer a rainbow of options for jewelry lovers. Learn more about sapphires in this insightful blog by Jewelers Mutual, Exploring the Spectrum of Sapphire Colors. A one-of-a-kind 59.57ct untreated Sri Lankan sapphire from Affordable Gems.

By Avery Quigley, American Gem Society People born in November are blessed with two beautiful birthstones: Citrine and topaz. These two dazzling gemstones have rich histories and folklore. Continue reading to learn more. History of Citrine The name “citrine” was used to refer to yellow gemstones as early as 1385. However, because the gemstone’s color resembles topaz, the two November birthstones have a history of being mistaken for each other. In the mid-18th century, mineralogists realized that amethyst and smoky quartz could be heat treated to produce golden honey hues of citrine, contributing to an abundance of affordable enhanced gemstones