gemstones

By Robin Skibicki, CSA October is a month of mystery, magic, and transformation—the perfect time to explore gemstones with an otherworldly allure. Let’s take a look at these hauntingly beautiful choices. Opal: October’s Birthstone Opals are known for their spellbinding play-of-color—a shimmering display that seems to dance across the gem’s surface. Ancient legends claimed opals contained lightning captured in stone, while others believed they brought good fortune or mystical powers. From milky white to fiery orange, opals are a perfect birthstone for the spooky season, catching the light in a way that feels almost magical. October has a second birthstone:

By Isabelle Corvin, CG, Panowicz Jewelers Adularescence and labradorescence are phenomenal lighting effects that add a unique and ethereal charm to certain gemstones. Another term for these effects is the “Schiller effect,” and at its core, adularescence and labradorescence are a scattering of light. Adularescence and labradorescence are most commonly observed in feldspar. The feldspar group is a vast collection of minerals, one of the most common found in Earth’s crust, and includes gemstones like moonstone, labradorite, andesine, amazonite, sunstone, and many more. When feldspar minerals grow, the layers—the building blocks—alternate between different types of feldspar, creating microscopic gaps. When

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, invites us to embrace warmth and comfort. A rich, earthy hue with creamy cocoa and coffee undertones, this shade is a perfect fit for the holiday season, evoking comfort, indulgence, and togetherness. This versatile shade blends effortlessly with soft creams and ivory, such as pearls, subtle pinks and peaches like morganite and pink tourmaline, and warm gold tones. Let this soothing hue inspire your holiday style and beyond. Below, view some beautiful designs from American Gem Society (AGS) members that feature the rich and inviting hues of Mocha Mousse. Brown diamond with

By Isabelle Corvin, CG, Staff Gemologist at Panowicz Jewelers What do cherries, almonds, apricots, and plums have in common? They are all members of the “Prunus” genus and are a branch (pardon the pun) of the rose family, a trait shared by the peach. Coincidentally, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2024 has been revealed as “Peach Fuzz” (13-1023)! This pastel mix of light orange and tender pink is easy on the eyes and mimics its namesake perfectly. In dyes and pigments, red, yellow, and white are often blended together to create a peachy color, with the amounts varying for