gemstones Archives

Pantone announces the 2015 Color of the Year!

December 5, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn You’ve likely heard that Pantone has released their Color of the Year for 2015, a warm and spicy shade called “Marsala!” Upon its release, the team at AGS noticed something very familiar about this shade…it perfectly matches the red garnet gemstone! Because the colors match so perfectly, we wanted to show you some jewelry options that would pair perfectly with Pantone’s Marsala. First is a gorgeous red garnet and 14 karat yellow gold ring from Parlé Jewelry Designs. This ring features a stunning, oval-cut center stone, surrounded by yellow gold and diamonds. Next, also from Parlé Jewelry Designs,

Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise – Oh my!

December 4, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn Happy birthday December! We’re thrilled to feature three beautiful birthstones and talk a little bit about just what makes them so special. Tanzanite Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices. As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as

Celebrating the Birthstones of November!

November 7, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn, Marketing Coordinator at AGS Topaz Topaz is a gemstone available in a rich rainbow of colors. Prized for several thousand years in antiquity, at the time — all yellow gems were called topaz. Often confused with citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown), quartz and topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species. The most prized color of topaz is called Imperial topaz after the Russian Czars of the 1800s and features a magnificent orange body color with pinkish undertones. Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, purple, orange, and the many popular blue tones. Citrine Citrine, the other birthstone for

The Healing Properties of Gemstones

October 3, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn According to folklore and stories throughout history, many gemstones are thought to offer mystic healing to its wearer. So whether shopping for a gift of fine jewelry, or considering a gift for yourself along the way, consider the healing properties of these fine gemstones. Birthday gemstones may not bake your cookies and wrap your gifts for you, but these healing gems will make you feel better while doing so. Gemstone healing powers: Amber – Thought to aid memory loss, purify the body, alleviate headaches, and bone and heart problems, Amber is known for its stress relieving

Color-Changing Gemstones are Phenomenal!

September 19, 2014

By Kevin P. McVay Have you ever thought about adding color-changing gemstones to your jewelry collection? We’re not talking about well-known colored gemstones like rubies, sapphires or emeralds, but gems—such as opal gemstones—that actually change color depending on the lighting. From rings to pendants and everything in-between, color-changing gemstones, known as phenomenal gems, are unique and go well with many types of jewelry designs. Here are some of our favorites: Alexandrite This rare gem was discovered in 1834. During the day, it beams green or bluish-green. In incandescent light, it turns to a soft shade of red. The Alexandrite’s optical

Limited Edition Emerald Ring Takes the Spotlight

August 15, 2014

By Kevin P. McVay Carelle Ltd., an American Gem Society member, recently announced a show-stopping custom piece—a gorgeous and expensive emerald ring. The vivid Zambian emerald at its center is 8.52 ct and is lightly included. The ring itself is set in platinum and features 1.82 ct of diamond pavé created from 200 stunning diamonds individually set by hand. As true with most colored gemstones, the larger its carat size, the rarer the gem. This correlation is due to the increasing difficulty of discovering natural gemstones that are larger and heavier. Carat weight, however, is only one out of four globally

Buying Jewelry for Valentine’s Day?

January 23, 2013

by Cristina Miranda Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Nothing says “Be My Valentine” more than a box of chocolates, flowers, and a poetic love note. Unless it’s a heart-thumping piece of jewelry! If you’re thinking about buying jewelry for your sweetheart, there are a few things to know about platinum, gold and silver, and gemstones, diamonds and pearls. A little knowledge can help you avoid buyers’ remorse. 1. Set expectations. Decide on your budget and the type of jewelry you want to buy before you shop. Avoid impulse purchases. Learn more with our Jewelry Buying Guide. 2. Research jewelry sites and

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