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GEMSTONE INFORMATION

Amethyst

Vibrant violet color is what the amethyst is most know for. The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word ‘amethystos’, which means ‘not intoxicated’. The amethyst is said to have special powers. It is said to keep the person wearing it to be protected by seduction, as well as, intoxication. This stone has historically been associated with royalty. Moses made reference to this stone, calling it a symbol of the Spirit of God. It is still used today in the Catholic church as a gemstone in rings worn by their priests. The amethyst is a sign of a philospher or thinker. In ancient times the amethyst was also used for hearing, headaches, pain, insomnia and even used to treat mental disorders.

Most people do not realize how many hues are available in the amethyst family. They range from the most popular deep purple to violet, lavender, rose and mauve.The amethyst is in the quartz family. This stone is a good choice for jewelry since it is known to be durable. Amethyst can be found all over the world! The Ural mountains in Russia are know to have deposits of this quartz stone, as well as, in parts of Germany. Amethyst from Brazil is known for it’s light violet color. Madagascar is known for its red amethyst.

An interesting story about the origins of Amethyst’s naming is found in Greek mythology. The god of

Intoxication, Dionysius, was angry because a human had insulted her. She swore that the next human that

she encountered would be turned to stone. Just about then, a beautiful young girl, by the name of…….

Amethyst was coming to Dionysius. She was turned to stone. Dionysius was so upset that she drank wine

and cried many tears of wine onto the stone statue of Amethyst until it turned purple, hence, a purple quartz

gemstone…..Amethyst.

Aquamarine

Another beauty here!!

Reminiscent of the brilliant blue colors of the ocean, aquamarines are mostly in the light blue range. These blue beauties allow for lots of creative uses. Blue is a great color for almost everyone. These stones were also rumored to have special powers, such as, helping one to be faithful, honest and happy in marriage. Sailors used them for protection on the high seas. They believed the mystical mermaid’s tail was made of aquamarine. Aquamarines are also very durable, which makes them a good choice for jewelry. The stone is made of Beryl, which a common mineral.

The name Aquamarine has Latin origins meaning “blue sea” or “sea water”. There are deposits of Aquamarine all over the world. Sri Lanka is know for its Aquamarines. They can also be found in North America, South America, Russia, Africa, India and Madagascar.

Blue Topaz

This is stone is also a beautiful blue and is a popular alternative to aquamarine. Blue Topaz has several trade names associated with it, such as, Sky Blue Topaz, Swiss Blue Topaz, and London Blue Topaz. London Blue is the deepest, darkest blue and Sky Blue is the lightest. Blue topaz is the most popular of all gemstones in the topaz family. This stone is durable, but can fracture rather easily. Most stones in the topaz family are clear and must be heat treated in order to produce color. 99.9% of topaz on the market today has been irradiated to give it the brilliant blue color it is known for. Topaz consists of minerals such as aluminum, silicon and traces of other elements, such as iron. Usually formed in lava flows and found in granite, Topaz has been found all over the world. Deposits are known to be located in Russia, Czech Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and the USA. The word Topaz originates from ancient Sanskrit word, Tapas, which means fire. There are also mystical powers associated with this gemstone. Its wearer is said to be more creative, intelligent and have increased spiritual potential. Also said to bring wealth and wisdom to its wearer, this is truly a gorgeous gemstone!

Citrine

Also known as the gold topaz or Spanish topaz this gemstone comes in a plethora of colors at affordable prices. This stone is alleged to have some of the same powers as the Topaz. Citrine, in the Middle Ages, was used for a variety of purposes, including acquiring wealth. It was also thought to stimulate creativity and intelligence, speed healing and remove toxins from the body. The ancients also used this stone as a means of protection from snake bites. The citrine is a member of the quartz family. Most citrines on the market today are actually heat treated amethysts. This is a very durable selection and among the most affordable on the market. Citrine can be found in its natural state most often in Brazil. It is rare to find citrine in its natural state, which is why most citrines found on the market today are treated amethyst. There is no way to tell, scientifically speaking, if the stone you are purchasing is natural citrine or treated amethyst. This gemstone is always a favorite choice among those who like the pastel hues, especially yellow.

Diamond

What can we say about diamonds? They are a “Girls Best Friend”! Pure carbon, under pressure and heat is what forms a diamond. The diamond you buy today was most likely created millions of years ago and has made its way to the surface where it can be mined. Diamonds make their way to the surface through lava flows over eons of time. Some diamonds do contain color. The blue diamond, the rarest of all colored diamonds, gets its color from traces of Borate. The diamond in its pure carbon form is the hardest substance known to man!

Most diamonds are mined in South Africa, but are also known to be found in India, Brazil and other areas of Africa. Even though diamonds are now the universal stone associated with marriage the church shunned diamonds at one time due to the use of them by pagan religions. Check out our diamond quality page for more information on quality, care and terms.

Emerald

Magnificent deep green color is the trademark of these gemstones! Quality Emeralds can sometimes be even more valuable than diamonds. Their origins date back as far as 6,000 years. Depending on the amount of minerals, such as vanadium and chromium, their green can vary from light to very deep green. Their primary mineral composite is Beryl.

Most emeralds are mined in South America; however, the highest quality emeralds are mined in Columbia. Emeralds found on the market today are usually smaller than 1 carat in weight, due to the fact that larger stones can have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. These inclusions are called jardins. The gemstones are typically oiled before being sold, unless listed as natural or un-enhanced. Synthetic forms of these stones are available on today’s market and can be quite popular. They are grown from the element present in natural emeralds known as beryl. This process takes about 6 months and those type emeralds will be listed as such.

The origin of the word emerald comes from the Greek word “smaragdos”, which means “green stones”. This is one of the earliest recorded gemstones dating back 6,000 years. It like other gemstones has its share of so called medicinal purposes. It is said to cure dysentery, improve vision, cure heart and kidney disease. It also said to ward off snake bites. In Ancient times it was a sign of immortality.

Garnet

Garnet is a very versatile and durable gemstone. The only color that a garnet does not occur in is blue. Most people do not realize the wonderful aspects of garnets. Garnets are usually associated with antique jewelry pieces. Deep, warm red is the color that most people associate with garnets, but their color spectrum goes well beyond red. These gemstones occur in both crystal and grainy form. Most prefer the crystal form. The name garnet originates from the Latin word “gannatus”, grainy. A form of neosilicates, they are comprised mostly of calcium, manganese and iron. While found all over the world, the most spectacular garnets are mined in East Africa. Others are mined in Europe, India and South America.

Garnets date back as far as the Old Testament of the Bible where they are mentioned in the story of Noah’s Ark. These gemstones were very popular among the Emperor’s of Rome and Egypt. Garnet’s are believed to ward off evil and keep sailors safe at sea.

Today, there are plenty of garnet’s on the market making them an affordable choice. The green garnet is quickly growing in popularity.

Mystic Topaz

A relatively new stone in today’s marketplace is the sensational mystic topaz. This enhanced stone is actually patented. To create the wonderful colors in the mystic topaz, a common colorless topaz is coated with a thin layer of titanium. This coating is applied to the underneath of the stone. The mystic topaz gives off a beautiful rainbow of colors. The topaz that is used to create this stone is generally mined in China, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Africa and Japan. Some deposits of topaz can be found in the US. Topaz is the official gemstone of Utah. Mostly set in rings, this stone is an affordable choice. With its popularity on the rise, you should be able to find this stone in a variety of settings.

This gemstone has a traditional feel to it, and an affordable price. Sure to become a favorite among gemstone lovers worldwide.

Opal

Opulence and Opals go hand in hand! Fire and lightning are words used to describe the properties of opals. High quality opals seem to be on fire and have lightning streaks in them when put in the light. Opals come in a variety of colors, such as, white, black, gray, yellow, red and orange and are usually opalescence. They are made from sand and water. Water makes up about 3% to about 10% of the mixture present in an opal. The other is sand usually found in limestone, such as, sandstone, basalt and rhyolite. The word opal has a meaning in three different ancient languages. “Opalus” is the Latin version. Termed “Opallios” in Ancient Greek and “Upala” in Sanskrit, all meaning “precious stone” shows its popularity throughout the ages.

Opals are mainly mined in Australia in the dry and remote outback deserts.

Pearl

Jewel of the sea! The pearl is actually not a stone at all, however, it is a precious commodity in the jewelry industry. Pearls are considered organic gemstones. These beauties are actually made by oysters, and other bivalve mollusks. When an unwanted particle enters the mollusk a natural defense is begun and after several years a pearl is formed. Pearls are usually white and iridescent in nature, but also can be found in black and silver. It was not until the late 19^th century that pearls actually were cultivated, which is why in ancient times pearls were considered a financial asset comparable to owning land. They were rare; since many oysters had to be opened even to find one pearl, let alone an entire string of them. Cultivation is done by inserting something into the mollusk to cause the animal to begin the defense process from which the pearl is produced. This was first done by the Japanese. The time for the process to be completed can take anywhere from 3 to 6 years. The cultivation process produces pearls just as beautiful as naturally occurring pearls. Most pearls available on the market today are in fact cultivated stones. Natural pearls are much more expensive than cultivated ones, however, this would be hard to detect with the human eye. An x-ray of the stone would prove the origin to be either natural or cultivated. Black pearls are rare and cannot be cultivated, which in turn, makes them much more valuable.

Pearls do come in different shapes, such as, round, button, oval and teardrop. They also come in different sizes, while the larger pearls are harder to find. This is due mainly to the length of time required to grow a larger pearl.

Peridot

Another green beauty! This gemstone is often called Chrysolite, which is incorrect. The green in this gemstone is has a gold tinge to it making it more of an olive green. Most people like to wear this stone in summer, since it blends will with the pastel colors associated with summer. Peridot is not known for its durability. It can easily be damaged by chemicals and other environment hazards. This gemstones name is French in origin and even though is not especially expensive is considered somewhat rare. There isn’t much history that accompanies the peridot.

Most peridots are mined three places. An island in the red sea known as St. Johns Island, in Asia in an area known as Myanmar, and also in the United States in Arizona.

Ruby

Love, passion, power……..rubies. Red is the color most associated with these sentiments and rubies are the gemstone. The ruby is by far the most popular gemstone of all time. Rubies are very durable in structure. They are comprised of Corundum, which is the second hardest substance known to man. The first being diamonds. Perhaps the most sought after and oldest of the gemstones that we know today. They have been worn by kings and queens since the dawn of time. Giving that this gemstone has such a history it is believed to serve many purposes other than just beauty. Its powers are said to protect its owner’s wealth from being destroyed or overtaken. It is also said to protect one from defeat in battle and sickness. The name ruby originates from the Latin word for “ruber” which means “red”.

Corundum, the mineral found in Rubies, is also found in Sapphires and in its industrial form is used in emery boards. This particular mineral is what gives the Ruby its reputation for being scratch resistant and durable enough for everyday wear. They can range in color from deep red to a pinkish red. Rubies can rival diamonds in price if it is a quality stone. Synthetic forms of rubies can be purchased and are a good alternative for those who like the look of rubies but cannot afford the price.

Sapphire

Magnificent blue color, rivaled only in nature by the blue of the sea and the blue of the sky is what you find in the gemstone sapphire. This gemstone is comprised of the same mineral present is rubies and have also like rubies been sought after since the dawn of time. They are also most closely associated with royalty throughout history. This word sapphire comes from the Latin word “sapphirus” which means “blue”. These gemstones are very durable due to their mineral beginnings of Corundum. Their crystal structure allows for plenty of fire and sparkle. The more sparkle the higher the value. Sapphires do come in an array of colors, however, the blue is by far the most popular. Other colors available are yellow, orange, violet and green.

Sapphires are mined mostly in Tanzania, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Kashmir and Madagascar. Enhanced or treated sapphires can be readily found on today’s market. They can be heated or irradiated to produce a higher color quality. They should be listed as such when purchasing.

Tanzanite

Discovered in 1967 by the tribesmen of Masai, this stone was given its name by Tiffany & Co. Tanzanite soon rose to be a much sought after gemstone. Its vibrant blue with a slight tinge of purple color makes this stone an exceptional beauty. It is comprised of the mineral Zoisite. This stone is only mined in one place….Tanzania and can be considered rare. It can fetch quite a price on today’s market.

The African tribe that discovered the stone believes that it brings life. This belief is used in marketing. It is quickly becoming the gemstone that commemorates the birth of a child. This stone is fairly durable, but should be protected from forceful impacts and heat. Sonic cleaning is not recommended for this stone. Tanzanite is unique in that it displays trichroism. This means that there are three colors present in the stone. Those three colors in this beauty known as tanzanite are usually violet, sapphire blue and green.

Care and Cleaning of Gemstones

You can clean your gems in different ways. Be careful with your gemstones as some commercial cleaners can damage the stones. You can use a mild soap and water to clean most gems. A soft toothbrush can be used to remove dirt and grease. A soft towel or polishing cloth can then be used to polish the stones. Some stones can be put in a sonic cleaner, but be very careful with this method. When in doubt, mild soapy water is always best. Pourous stones, such as opal, should never be put in a sonic cleaner. You can purchase cleaners in most department stores that are appropriate for certain types of gemstones. Their specific use should be clearly listed on the label.