Photo Courtesy of G.I.A.

An Introduction to Blue Zircon, December's Birthstone

December 03, 2019

Blue zircon shares the honor of being December’s birthstone with another beautiful blue stone: turquoise. Although zircon sounds like some sort of synthetic material, it in fact isn’t. Blue zircon is a natural stone. 

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Imperial Topaz - Image courtesy of GIA

An Introduction to Topaz, November's Birthstone

November 07, 2019

Topaz is the birthstone for November and represents the 16th wedding anniversary alongside with peridot. This gemstone’s name comes from the ancient Greek name “Topazios” for Saint John’s Island in the Foul Bay of Egypt. 

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Black Opal

Bewitched By Opals, October's Birthstone

October 10, 2019

Opals are unique gemstones. Although geologists don’t really have a conclusive answer as to exactly how these stones form, one thing is for certain – water is involved.

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Fancy Sapphires - Photo Courtesy of GIA

Fancy Sapphires: A Rainbow of Colors

September 19, 2019

Aside from blue colored sapphires, there are many other important colors that are equally as brilliant and beautiful: orange, pink, yellow, green, and purple. There is no such thing as a red sapphire as those are simply classified as rubies.

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Radiant Cut Untreated Sapphire from Sri Lanka - Photo Courtesy of Wiener Edelstein Zentrum

Blue Sapphires: Which are the most beautiful?

September 12, 2019

Blue sapphires can be found in many places around the world, including but not limited to India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Australia. Depending on what region the blue sapphire comes from, it can have a more appealing appearance than sapphires from other places. There are specific areas in these countries that produce what is considered to be the most beautiful and desired blue sapphires.

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Blue Sapphire - Photo Courtesy of Thomas Samson

An Introduction to Sapphires, September's Birthstone

September 05, 2019

Sapphire is a significant stone for many number-related milestones. Not only is it the birthstone for September, it is also the gem representing the 45th anniversary and the sapphire jubilee, which is the 65th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over Britain.

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Example of Peridot in a Pallasite Meteorite

Peridot: Out of This World!

August 22, 2019

 

Experts have stated that peridot may be one of the world’s oldest gems. According to the Earth scientists at the Natural History Museum in London, the Imilac meteorite is 4.5 million years old and contains olivine material (peridots) from the origin of the universe. It also contains meteoric iron because the Imilac is a type of pallasite meteorite. When this ancient meteorite entered the Earth’s atmosphere long ago, it exploded and scattered pieces across the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. In 1822, these pieces were discovered. It is estimated to have a total weight of 920 kilograms.

 

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Peridot Gemstone

Where is Your Peridot From?

August 15, 2019

Most larger crystals of peridot are found in veins or pockets within solidified molten rock that come to the surface of the earth via lava flows. A number of countries in the world are good sources of peridot, including but not limited to the United States, Finland, Pakistan, and upper Myanmar (Burma) in the northeast of Mogok.

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Peridot by G.I.A.

An Introduction to Peridot, August's Birthstone

August 08, 2019

Peridot, also known as “olivine”, is the gemstone representing August birthdays or the 16th wedding anniversary. It is said to bring luck and good health to the wearer. Some people are fortunate enough to have seen the best peridot stones so they love it, while many others seem to dislike or even say that they hate it. 

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Sunrise Ruby - Photo courtesy of G.I.A.

Tales of Famous Rubies

July 25, 2019

There are many famous rubies with interesting stories behind them. Our favorite stories are about two specific rubies: the Sunrise Ruby and the Rosser.

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Burmese Ruby - Photo Courtesy of G.I.A.

Finding Rubies Around the World

July 18, 2019

Rubies can be found in various countries around the world, but they are especially plentiful and beautiful in the country of Myanmar. Some of the finest rubies ever mined have historically been found in the Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar, also called “Burma”. These rubies are known for their “pigeon’s blood red” color.

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Rubies

An Introduction to Rubies, July's Birthstone

July 11, 2019

If you are born in July, then you are very fortunate because your birthstone is the ruby. Known as the “king” of gemstones, rubies also represent the 40th wedding anniversary.

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