As the birthstone for March (and associated with the 19th wedding anniversary) aquamarine is one of the most often maligned gemstones of the age. Most people, if theyve seen the stone at all, have been presented with specimens that are so washed out they retain nothing of the proper color associated with the aquamarine gemstone.

Fine quality aquamarine comes from nature in colors from blue-green to a light sky blue: nothing colorless or washed out - these stones are supposed to look blue… Whats unique about aquamarine, is that the majority of these seawater blue stones are flawless: the perfect centerpiece for a fine piece of aquamarine jewelry

As the second most well known beryl (after emerald), aquamarine was once credited with protecting against poison, sailors carried and slept with the incredible colored gemstones to ensure a safe voyage. Today a gift of fine quality aquamarine jewelry can symbolize safety and security: especially in long term relationships. Some say it may even re-ignite love in a marriage.

So what piece of aquamarine jewelry to choose?

Read more…

If your birthday falls in the month of October or the astrological sign of Libra, you have the good fortune to have one of the most beautiful of gemstones associated with your birth. Available in shades from the palest pink to the scorchingly hottest pinks and everything in between: this gemstone has become a favorite of women everywhere. And with all the cuts to choose from - trillion, round, emerald, oval, square, pear and cushion - this fabulously colored stone is certainly ready to play its part at the center of any piece of pink tourmaline jewelry that you might choose.

Pink tourmaline is said to be a powerful influence on love and friendship, spirituality and creativity as well as granting wisdom and enhancing willpower. The prices and value of pink tourmaline vary tremendously, depending on the size and quality of the gemstone, and youll soon learn that no two stones are alike. When it comes to the gift of pink tourmaline jewelry, there are an abundance of wonderful styles to choose from…

Read more…

Long before Prince Charles gave Lady Diana that stunning sapphire engagement ring there were pieces of fine colored gemstone jewelry made to showcase this most precious of gems. September babies, those born under the zodiac sign Taurus (or those celebrating a 45th wedding anniversary) have long laid claim to blue sapphire as their own, prompting jewelry designers to create many distinctive styles that feature the full range of sapphire hues.

Still theres something about that blue that remains unmatched…

Todays sapphire earring styles run the gamut from casual to dazzling and drop dead gorgeous. Sapphire rings are an especially popular choice (even for engagement rings) since the gemstone is both beautiful and durable. Sapphire at the neckline continues to be popular, but the quality of the gemstone is king here: accent stones too must be a match to the quality of the center stone.

One of the most intriguing types of sapphire is the so called star sapphire. This type of sapphire is blessed with the rare characteristic of asterism caused by tiny quantities of rutile inclusions. These inclusions reflect light back in the form of a six-rayed star that looks as though it glides across the face of the gemstone. The effect is both striking and offers a special significance to the gift of these gemstones - shes your shining star.

Read more…

This is the Burma spinel I got from AJS Gems under darkroom illumination with my LED light source from my microscope, and a portable blacklight for a UV-A light source.

You can see how the stone appears naturally before turning the UV light on. Then you can see how it turns to a brown color as if it were absorbing the light. When the light goes off, it’s a dark brown color. However, it does gradually obtain its color back in time. There is no sign of phosfluorescence, and there is a total lack of fluorescence thus indicating it is a Burma spinel.

The orangey red variety from Mogok mine has a very high absorption rate within a window of the latter range of IUV to the lower end of VIS. I obtained a general graph of how spinels of different colors from Mogok behave under IR spectroscopy, and the graph shows the absorption rate of spectra within the lamp as being highest. A vivid red spinel is slightly less. There was no information available for spinels from Tanzania, but it’s a tell tale indicator of origin.

Read more…

When theyre first found, most colored gemstones arent very extraordinary looking. Its the cutting and polishing that transform these ordinary looking formations into sparkling stars that captivate us. Just as there are many beautiful gemstones, there are many different ways Mother Nature can create them for us. Our understanding of how gems are formed has improved tremendously over the last few years, though we dont have all the answers just yet.

One of the ways gemstones can be formed is when water near the Earths surface (rain fall for example) interacts with minerals - and the solution either holds or releases substances based on whats going on around it. Over years and years, rainy seasons dissolve the rocks at the surface, followed by dry seasons when these minerals are stripped of moisture, collecting in cracks and open spaces on the surface.

Read more…