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Gemstones Of the more than 3,000 minerals found on earth, only a small percentage qualify as “gemstones” due to their beauty, durability, color and rarity. Gem discoveries have added new varieties to the traditional selection of ruby, emerald and sapphire. Some of these more unusual gemstones command higher prices than better-known gemstones due to their beauty and rarity. For example, fine jade and fine opal, tsavorite or alexandrite would be more valuable than lesser quality diamonds or emeralds. The selection of fine-quality gemstones includes such stones as alexandrite, amber, amethyst, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, citrine, garnet, iolite, jade, kunzite, lapis, moonstone, opal, peridot, sugilite, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite, turquoise and zircon. Each of the gemstones has a particular charm, color and identity. Like diamonds, the color, cut, clarity and carat weight of gemstones determine the value. The strength and purity of a gemstone’s color is of prime importance as it is typically what draws you to a particular gem. The cut of a colored gemstone describes its shape and how it is fashioned. Clarity is an important feature although even the most expensive gemstones contain some inclusions. And of course the carat weight of the gemstone affects the value. Because of their rarity, gemstones in which color is naturally occurring are generally the most valuable. Many gemstones are treated or enhanced in some way, such as with heat or safe irradiation, to achieve the beautiful colors or clarity we desire in the size we desire. Some choose a synthetic colored gemstone meaning they are created in a laboratory rather than occurring in nature. For some budgets these synthetic materials are an acceptable choice. An example might be a mother’s ring with many different birth months. Many times, a synthetic emerald will be used and mixed with an amethyst, ruby and aquamarine. This allows the ring to be worn often without worry of the emerald. Emeralds, along with pearls and opals aren’t for every day wear and require a mounting that protects them, particularly when set in a ring. BirthstonesGarnet is the accepted birthstone for January and for the second year of marriage. Garnets are typically dark red but are found in every color except blue. Garnets are durable and brilliant and are found in many different price ranges. Garnets are found in the United States, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India. Amethyst is the recognized birthstone for February and the sixth year of marriage. Amethyst is a variety of quartz and comes in pale lilac to rich, deep purple shades. Amethyst is durable and can be worn every day. As part of the finishing process, amethyst occasionally is heated to lighten its color. This lovely gemstone is found mainly in Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia. Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for March and the 19th year anniversary. The ideal color of aquamarine is a refreshing pastel sea blue and this member of the beryl family is very durable. Aquamarine should not be cleaned in a home ultrasonic cleaner but in lukewarm soapy water with a soft toothbrush. As part of the normal finishing process, most aquamarines are heated to remove traces of yellow and permanently intensify the blue color. Aquamarine is found is Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and Ukraine. Diamond is the birthstone for April and accepted as the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage. Although diamonds are associated with being colorless, they are occasionally found with a strong, bright color – green, red, pink, blue, canary yellow and amber. These “fancy” colored diamonds are highly prized and priced accordingly. Emerald is the birthstone for May and the gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage. Emerald is one of the most sought after gems and is bright green in color. Emeralds are often characterized by a garden of included crystals trapped within. Under magnification you will see all sorts of lovely patterns resembling foliage in a garden. A flawless, clear emerald is very rare and is usually found in only small sizes. As part of the normal fashioning process, most emeralds are immersed in colorless oil or resin so small voids are not as noticeable. Emeralds should not be cleaned in home ultrasonic machines. Emeralds are found mainly in Columbia, Brazil, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June and for the 3rd and 30th year of marriage. Pearls come in a wide range of colors and should be relatively free of blemishes. Moonstone is sometimes used as an alternative to pearls since it physically resembles some pearls. (See more about Pearls and their care by clicking here) Alexandrite is another accepted birthstone for June but isn’t used often due to its rarity and price. (See more about Alexandrite by clicking here) Ruby is the accepted birthstone for July and the 15th and 40th year anniversary. Ruby is a variety of corundum and only exists as a true red in color. It is customary for all rubies to be heated which permanently improves their color and appearance. The finest rubies are from Burma although they can also be found in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan and India. Peridot is the accepted birthstone for August and the 16th year of marriage. Peridot should be a lively green without a brownish or olive cast. Peridot is formed through volcanic action. Tiny peridot crystals are sometimes combed from the black sands of Hawaii. Peridot is abundant and is available in larger sizes. Peridot should not be cleaned in a home ultrasonic cleaner. Peridot is found is Burma, China and the United States. The most important source of peridot in the world is the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Globe, Arizona, where Native Americans mine it. Sapphire is the September birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gem for the 5th and 45th year of marriage. Sapphire, a variety of corundum, comes in all colors except red, but is especially popular in deep blue. Fancy colored sapphires – including pink, green, orange and golden yellow – are magnificent. The sapphire’s durability combined with its beauty makes it a popular alternative for an engagement ring. As part of the customary fashioning process, virtually all blue, yellow and golden sapphires are treated to permanently produce or intensify their color. Sapphire is found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Kasmir, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and the United States. Opal is the October birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage. White opal has a white or light body color with flashes of many colors. Black opal has a black, dark blue, dark green or gray body color with vivid flashes of color such as red, pink and bright green. To maintain the brilliance of opal, it should be wiped clean with a soft cloth. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine or jewelry cleaner. Opal sources are Australia, Mexico and the United States. Tourmaline may also be used for an October birthstone. Tourmaline spans the spectrum from red to violet and is not as fragile as an opal. Topaz is the accepted birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 4th year, Imperial topaz for the 23rd year of marriage. Topaz is most often a transparent golden yellow but also occurs colorless as well as orange-yellow, red, honey-brown, light green, blue and pink. As a part of the normal fashioning process, most brownish to sherry brown topaz are heated to produce a permanent pink color. Certain types of topaz are irradiated and heated to produce shades of blue. Topaz is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China. Citrine is often used as an alternative to topaz because it appears in many of the same colors as topaz and is very durable. Unlike topaz, citrine is readily available and inexpensive even in large pieces. Citrine is a variety of quartz and colors range from pale yellow to yellowish-brown and red. Citrine is the suggested gemstone for the 13th year of marriage. Citrine is found mainly in Brazil. Turquoise is the accepted birthstone for December and for the 11th year of marriage. Colors in turquoise range from sky blue (most desirable color) to blue green and apple green. The best qualities of turquoise are found in northeast Iran, however, the United States southwest in the world leader in production. Blue topaz and most recently, tanzanite are popular alternatives to turquoise birthstones. More on GemstonesAlexandrite is one the most rare and most coveted of gemstones. It is prized for its change from shades of green in daylight to shades of red in incandescent light. A variety of chrysoberyl, alexandrite ideally changes from grass green to raspberry red. Alexandrite is scarce and not a gem you will see often. Alexandrite is very durable and stands up well to normal wear. Alexandrites are primarily found in the U.S.S.R, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Africa and Burma. Amber color is normally yellow to brown but may be reddish or whitish. It ranges from yellow-white to black. Amber is one of the few gemstones that are organic, rather than mineral, in origin. It is fossilized resin from prehistoric evergreens that grew before the Ice Age. Occasionally, amber is recovered with “foreign” fragments or insects trapped inside which usually adds to its value. Amber is often heated to remove cloudiness and deepen its color. Amber is found in the Baltic Sea region, Dominican Republic and Tanzania.Ametrine is a relative newcomer to the gem world, as it was not discovered until the late 70’s in Bolivia. Ametrine is a variety of quartz that exhibits the best aspects of both purple amethyst and yellow citrine within the same crystal. Because its beauty lies in the co-existence of the two colors, ametrine is usually recovered in larger sizes. The chrysoberyl family comes in three varieties: alexandrite, cat’s-eye and chrysoberyl. While chemically alike, they are quite distinct in their optical characteristics and bear no resemblance to one another. Cat’s eye is known for its reflected light effect called chatoyancy. This effect is achieved by cutting stones that have very small, parallel silk inclusions into cabochons. As the gem is rotated, it exhibits a distinct, silvery white line across its dome that seems to open and close like a cat’s eye. Cat’s eye is a translucent gem ranging in color from a honey yellow or honey brown to yellowish green to an apple green. Cat’s eye is found mainly in Sri Lanka and Brazil. Coral is one of the organic gems, not a mineral. It is semi translucent to opaque material that is secreted by the coral polyp, a sea animal. Its composition is pure calcium carbonate. Coral occurs in a variety of colors – white, pink, orange, red and black. The most rare and expensive is blood coral. Another popular variety is the blush pink angel skin coral used in fine jewelry. Colored Gemstone CareThere are many different types of colored gemstones but some general care and cleaning rules apply to all gemstone jewelry.
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