 |
 |
| Gemstone Descriptions |
|---|
|
These are the stones that we commonly use in our jewelry. We do offer the choice between genuine and laboratory created stones in certain pieces.
What gems are associated with each birth month?
Check our birthstone chart
|
|
| Created Alexandrite |
 |
Alexandrite was named after Prince Alexander because it was discovered in 1830 on the day of his coming of age. Alexandrite is most noted for its color changing from shades of green in daylight to a rich purplish red color in incandescent light. Natural alexandrite is extremely rare and expensive. The laboratory created alexandrite have a higher level of perfection than the natural found alexandrite. |
|
| Amethyst |
 |
This February birthstone is one the most popular gemstones today. Its radiate violet-purple color makes it one of the most desirable members of the quartz family.
The name is derived from the word amethustos, a Greek word that means not drunken. The legend behind this is that one who drinks wine from the amethystine cup would not become drunk.
Amethysts were traditional worn in the Russian and English crown jewels. The Roman Catholic Church extensively uses the stone today.
Amethyst's color ranges from a light violet to a dark red-purple. We use the darker colored amethyst. |
|
| Aquamarine |
 |
Aquamarine is a light blue stone or blue green stone. Its name is derived from the Latin terms "aqua” meaning water, and "mare” or sea. Legends say that it is the treasure of mermaids, with the power to keep sailors safe at sea. Folklore says the aquamarine provides the wearer with foresight, courage, happiness, and increases intelligence. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety. Aquamarine was also claimed to have a positive influence on love and relationships. Aquamarine is the traditional birth stone for the month of March. |
|
| Blue Topaz |
 |
This less expensive alternate to aquamarine is one of the largest selling topazes in the market today. This very popular gemstone has a very hard surface and makes it the ideal stone for everyday wear.
Blue topaz's color ranges from a sky blue to a Swiss blue to the darkest, a London blue. The color of the stone will always be a distinct blue to a bluish gray; aquamarine has a bluish greenish color.
Topaz can occur naturally in many different colors, orange, blue, brown, green, beige, red, and pink. Colorless topaz can be treated by irradiation and heated to produce the different shades of blue, in which the blue topaz is formed.
We commonly use the the lighter swiss blue topaz, but the London blue, a rich darker blue, is also available.
The blue topaz is the official state gem of Texas. |
|
| Cameo |
 |
These hand-carved shell cameos are very common to the Victorian era. Cameos add a beauty and craftsmanship to any collection. Each cameo has its own individual personality, just as its owner.
Queen Victoria of England popularized the shell cameos. At different points in history, men have worn cameos. Ancient people used cameos to represent their loyalties or faith. Cameos were also used as photos during this time, since there were none. The Greek and Roman emperors, gods, and goddesses were immortalized in the shell or stone that was used to make the cameos. |
|
| Citrine |
 |
This birthstone for November is a member of the quartz family. It is mined in Brazil and is a beautiful addition to any collection. Ranging in color from light brown to a honey brown hue the hardness of this stone is very acceptable for everyday wear.
Citrine and Topaz are both accepted as the birthstone for November. For many years, the general public confused citrine as topaz because of the misrepresentation from jewelers. In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council adopted a resolution that made both stones acceptable for the birthstone.
Citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts in ancient times. |
|
| Diamond |
 |
Birthstone for April, it is some of the most sought after gemstone today. The only pure carbon element and is the hardest element known to man. Most of the mining today is found in South Africa.
Diamonds are colorless to a slightly yellow or brownish tint. The colorless diamonds are the most sought after. Fancy colors diamonds consists of pink, red, and blue. The rarest of all gemstones are red diamonds.
Diamonds are graded by carat weight, clarity, color, and cut, otherwise known as the four C's. |
|
| Emerald |
 |
Emeralds are a very soft and are one of the most valuable of all the gemstones. This green version of the mineral beryl is primarily mined in Columbia.
Emerald is one of the earliest known gems to man.
Birthstone for May, the emerald has come to represent the beauty and promise of spring.
Ancients dedicated the emerald to the Goddess Venus. They believed that the emerald would improve intelligence. They also believed that it was very beneficial to the eyes, Emperor Nero would watch gladiator shows through a fine emerald glasses. It was also considered to reveal faithfulness between lovers. |
|
| Garnet |
 |
Found mainly in India, this gemstone can be found in many Victorian pieces ranging in color from brownish-red to deep red often surrounded by diamonds or pearls. This is the birthstone for the month of January.
Garnet and feldspar are the two groups in the gem world. Garnets differ extensively in chemical composition from each other. Six mineral varieties include: pyrope, almandine, grossular, spessartine, uvarovite, and andradite. Rhodolite garnet is a combination of pyrope and almandine minerals, also know as pyrope-almandine garnet. There are many names for garnets, such as: Hessonite, Rhodolite, Tsavorite, Mozambique, Malaya, Anthill, Mandarin, Demantoid, Leuco, Hydrogrossular, Thai, Topazolite, and Melanite. The Almandite garnet is the most widely known. |
|
| Green Tourmaline |
 |
This beautiful green color ranges from light to very dark in appearance. Worn as a single large stone or a smaller one accented by diamonds or pearls, this rich green is very stunning in appearance.
Tourmaline comes in every color and is known for their hardness and durability. Opal and Tourmaline are the birthstones for the month of October. Also, the United States national gemstone is tourmaline.
Tourmaline is one of the most chemically complex gem materials. It is a very wearable stone that is brilliant and durable. |
|
| Iolite |
 |
The name Iolite is derived from the Greek "los", meaning violet. Iolite is a purplish blue color. Also known as Cordierite.
Iolite was known as the Vikings' compass because of its ability to help determine the direction of the sun on overcast days. When the legendary Viking mariners sailed the ocean, they used thin pieces of iolite as the world's first polarizing filter. Looking through an iolite lens they could determine the exact position of the sun and navigate safely.
|
|
| Moissanite |
 |
Moissanites have several qualities in common with diamonds. They have a high index of refraction, are transparent and extremely hard. They are often brighter and have more fire than diamonds. Moissanites are often indistinguishable from diamonds to the human eye. Moissanites can be created in a laboratory and cost less than diamonds. |
|
| Opal |
 |
Most opals are found in Australia and are very soft by comparison. Jewelry enthusiasts have sought after this fiery flash of multi-color for many centuries. Opal and Tourmaline are the birthstones for the month of October.
Queen Victoria of England wore this stone regularly in her court. She was captivated by the rainbow of colors in the stone.
Opal is formed from silica rather than a crystalline material. It is iridescent with a wide range of internal colors. No other gemstone can display all of the spectrum's colors in a variety of patterns, brilliance, and shades. For this reason, no two opals are identical. There are three groups of opals: white, black, and boulder. |
|
| Oro Verde |
 |
This bright yellow to bright yellow-green quartz is mined in Brazil. The greener specimens are also known as prasiolite.
Oro Verde is also known as the lemon yellow citrine.
The word citrine has its origins in the French word for lemon - citron. |
|
| Pearl |
 |
Birthstone for June, this organic gemstone is formed in the body of a mollusk and is composed of material called nacre. Pearls have been cherished for over 5,000 years. Japan is the leading producer of pearls today.
The exquisite luster and iridescence sets them apart from other gems.
The Romans, Egyptians, and Persians all admired the pearl. Throughout history, it was not uncommon for royals to prohibit commoners to use pearls. |
|
| Peridot |
 |
This birthstone for August is often seen as a brilliant olive green. This gemstone is available from many different sources and is an attractive addition to any collection.
This gem has been mined on an island in the Red Sea since 1500 BC. The Ancients considered Peridot to be the gem of the sun. They believed that it would send evil spirits away, lessen one's thirst when placed underneath the tongue, and to drive out nighttime terrors when placed in gold. |
|
| Pink Tourmaline |
 |
Tourmaline comes in every color and is known for their hardness and durability. This high pink is a beautiful addition to any collection. Opal and Tourmaline are the birthstones for the month of October. The United States national gemstone is tourmaline.
Tourmaline is one of the most chemically complex gem materials. It is a very wearable stone that is brilliant and durable. |
|
| Rhodolite |
 |
The most sought after member of the garnet family with its distinctive raspberry color is truly unique. Worn as a large stone or surrounded by diamonds or pearls it is a beautiful addition to any collection.
Rhodolite garnet is a combination of pyrope and almandine minerals, also know as pyrope-almandine garnet. The names rhodon and lithos are derived from the Greeks, which means rose-stone. |
|
| Ruby |
 |
Ruby is the red version of the mineral corundum. Ruby is mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma.
The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. Ruby is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond. The color can vary from a faint pink to deep red, more commonly known as pigeon's blood.
Ancients believed that one who possessed a ruby was granted wisdom, health, wealth, and love. Ruby was the stone of the Judah tribe, and placed upon Aaron's neck by the command of God.
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. Also, it is the stone for ones born under the Capricorn sign, December 21-January 19, and for those born on Tuesday, or in the summer. Nearly anyone could wear a ruby for a legendary significance. Ruby is one of the world's most valuable gems. |
|
| Sapphire |
 |
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and a member of the corundum family. This is another very hard gemstone. The most sought after color is the blue and is mined primarily in Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Sapphires are found in many colors. The reddish color sapphires are known as ruby. |
|
| Tanzanite |
 |
Nameless until the late 1960's, this valuable blue-violet gemstone is a member of the Zoisite mineral family and is mined only in Tanzania. Tanzanite is usually heat treated to bring out the intense blue and purple. This gem exhibits an amazing shine and clarity.
Tanzanite emits an intense blue to an intense purple simultaneously while being viewed under light. |
|
|
