Jewelry

Sapphires brings to mind a variety of blue shades; but, according to the American Gem Trade Association, these precious gemstones also come in gold, reddish-orange, violet and pale white. Whatever...

Sold online, on television shopping networks and at mall jewelers, a new popular stone is stirring up controversy and turning heads. It's the andesine-labradorite--a typically red or orange gem,...

Turquoise is an eye-catching gem that is highly regarded for its beauty and color. Whether it is a simple design or more ornate piece, jewelry made with this stone is always exquisite. Turquoise...

A gem tester is a gemstone and jewelry testing tool that has a meter that indicates heat conductivity, and most have the color stone estimating function for preliminary testing of certain...

Although it's referred to as a semi-precious gem, amber isn't really a stone. It's actually sap that was turned into a fossil approximately 45 million years ago. Some pieces of amber contain...

Each month of the year has a designated birthstone, made official in 1912 by the Jewelers of America Association. Every gem is symbolic of a specific virtue, and most are comprised of minerals. It...

Today's jewelry consumer has many more options than ever before, thanks to the innovation of artificial gem diamonds. While many take these stones for granted, few give much thought, if any, to...

Once favored by royalty around the world, amethyst was considered a precious stone on par with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies until increased availability changed its status to semi-precious. But...

Rhodochrosite is a type of gem with a bubblegum pink color and white veining throughout. If you want to buy rhodochrosite rough, then you are looking for a piece of the gem that has yet to be...

The opal is the birthstone for October; superstition has it that it is bad luck to wear one unless born in that month or if the gem was given as a gift.

An ancient stone with deep roots among leaders in Medieval Europe, Carnelian shimmers with beauty and has a long track record in the literature. With its rich, dark red coloration, the gem is a...

You've heard the term, but do you know what separates a regular sapphire from a star sapphire? A stonecutter. The process starts when sapphires are mined, cut, polished and readied for sale. From...

Stones, gems and crystals are all types of minerals that have over time developed into colored or clear formations. The three are often referred to collectively as gemstones and may be identified...

Rings have been a symbol of commitment among couples for centuries. They can be simple or elaborate, but many share a common theme of promise. Just as wedding rings can be designed for a couple,...

Many wonder how to buy quality lapis lazuli jewelry. After all, buying lapis lazuli jewelry can be a confusing process if you don't know what you are doing. For the uninformed it is impossible to...

While diamonds often adorn jewelry for a classic touch, these gems are not easily found in the natural world. Many diamonds are created synthetically to keep up with the demand for the jewel....

Cabochon describes the cut that is used for rubies that are less transparent than their counterparts. The stone has a polished appearance that is rounded and smooth instead of cut into facets that...

Available in different colors, moonstone gems are believed to carry mystical powers and are sought after by the adherents of some religions. It's considered a sacred gem by Asian Indians and is...

This brief introduction will provide you with the basic knowledge you need to place and remove gems from ring settings. You'll learn what tools are needed, what the basic techniques are and what...

Diamonds are valuable gems that are popular for wedding rings, necklaces and bracelets. It may be prudent to determine that the diamonds in your bracelet are authentic and quality gems. Tests can...

Prized for its beauty, revered for its mystical qualities, the Ceylon sapphire has long been considered among the elite of gemstones.

If you are new to setting gemstones, then using easy-mount settings will help you to learn how to set stones. Easy-mounts have prongs that are simply pushed down on the gem, without having to be...

This article is for those wondering if thier diamond is real or not.The only people who can authenticate a real diamond are certified gemologists specializing in jewelry.However there are some...

Gem stones are aesthetically appealing minerals that are often cut and polished, then used to make jewelry. Some rocks are considered gem stones, even though they are not minerals, because they...

A rainbow gemstone is the perfect solution if you want a piece that matches everything. Maybe you have a bright personality. This also is a solution if you work at a boring office job where you...

Diamonds are a very expensive commodity. This precious gem is a favorite for jewelry but it has industrial uses as well. Diamonds are made naturally in a few different ways. This natural process...

Tourmalines are gorgeous semi-precious gemstones that come in a wide variety of colors to please any taste. Prized for their multicolored beauty, tourmalines have been used as healing crystals as...

When most people think of sapphires, they think of deep-blue, beautiful stones that are extremely valuable. However, sapphires also come in a wide range of colors and values. These are also known...

Aquamarines are beautiful blue stones that are extremely hard. They are generally found in South America and are quite popular in "modern" jewelry. They are frequently used as art as well as more...

Light-colored sapphires are extremely beautiful gems that are often much less expensive than their deeper-colored counterparts. However, many people prefer them because they appear similar to...

The padparadscha sapphire is the most valuable of the colored sapphires. It is a bright pinkish-orange stone with qualities that are debated even among some jewelers and dealers. It is extremely...

Aquamarines come in beautiful shades of blue from sky blue to a shade not dissimilar to the brilliant blue of the Pacific ocean. In fact, aquamarine gemstones get their name because they were...

Yellow topaz is the most common color of topaz. The yellow colors range from brownish yellow to pure, bright yellow to an almost orange color. Many yellow topaz stones are grown in labs, but...

Tanzanite is a beautiful blue stone that is mined in Tanzania. It is a fairly rare stone because it exists naturally only in the mines in this country and is generally rather small in size. The...

Rubies, just like diamonds, should be evaluated based on several key characteristics before you make a major purchase involving this gemstone. However, the factors that determine the value of a...

Creating your own jewelry is an exciting way to express your artistic ability and personality. One of the most difficult and rewarding items to create is a ring. Not only is forging the metal...

If you're an avid jewellery maker or even a complete novice, you need to have the appropriate tools to make the job easier. If you have a good gem holder, your jewellery production is much easier...

Are you thinking of buying ruby jewelry or loose gems? Here are some practical ways to select the best ruby for your money.

Those who enjoy shopping for vintage jewelry in unconventional places know that there are valuable treasures waiting to be discovered. Whether you're looking at antique shops, thrift stores,...

The emerald is the birthstone symbolic of love and success, so it makes the perfect gift to celebrate a marriage or major accomplishment in business or personal life. This rare and expensive gem,...

The ruby birthstone is kin to the sapphire, since both are classified as crystallized corundum. While this mineral exists in a multitude of colors, only a true red hue is considered a ruby, while...

The August birthstone peridot is derived by cutting crystals of the beautiful, spring-green mineral olivine. This gemstone symbolizing vitality was once the favorite booty of pirates, who...

A birthstone is a gem cut from a source mineral, and in the case of the sapphire, that mineral is corundum. Of the rainbow of colors manifested by corundum, blue is most popular and best known as...

Birthstones have often been associated with powers of protection or healing, possibly due to their striking and sometimes imposing presence. The garnet is called the gem of travelers, promising a...

Amethyst is the gem of ancient kings and clergy, for its violet hues complemented their purple robes and vestments. While only wealthy people could afford the costly dyed cloth, their...