Birthstone: November Hardness: 7 Citrine is the most affordable of all the earth-toned gemstones, thanks to its durability and availability. Citrine, a form of quartz, derives its name from the French word for lemon, “citron.” It is available in a range of...
Birthstone: July Hardness: 9 Perhaps no gemstone has been as prized throughout history as the ruby. Celebrated in the Bible and in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, rubies have adorned emperors and kings and inspired countless legends...
Birthstone: April Hardness: 10 Diamonds are among the most prized substances on earth. Their brilliance, elegance, durability and mystery have captivated our imagination for thousands of years. It has come to symbolize the ultimate gift of love and romance. Diamond is...
Birthstone: September Hardness: 9 Sapphire has been sought after for thousands of years as the ultimate blue gemstone. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire that gave its blue reflection to the sky, hence the Latin name...
Birthstone: August Hardness: 6.5 Peridot, the gem form of the mineral olivine, traces its jewelry roots back more than 3,500 years. It was first mined by the ancient Egyptians on the island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Zebargad was known as the “serpent...
Birthstone: June Pearls. . . the oldest known gemstone, treasured by the ancients as the most precious of gems. Throughout the ages pearls were so rare and coveted that only the wealthiest royals could own them. Today, thanks to the success of the culturing process in...
Birthstone: October Hardness: 5.5 Opal is one of nature’s most prized gems. The stone was mined by eastern Europeans, the Aztecs and the ancient tribes of Central Africa. Opals have been featured in the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor and the crown jewels of...
Birthstone: January Hardness: 6-7 Garnet is one of the most versatile stones on the market. It comes in a rainbow of colors, from deep red to tangerine orange to lime green to pale pink, as well as purple, gold and brown. Garnet is found all over the world, including...
Birthstone: December Hardness: 8 Blue topaz has become one of the most popular gemstones on the market today, due to its clarity, durability, availability and affordable cost. Yet it is a shade of topaz rarely found in nature. Topaz is one of the well-known pegmatite...
Birthstone: March Hardness: 8 Aquamarine, derives it name from the Latin term for seawater because of its elegant blue hues. According to legend, aquamarine was the treasure of mermaids and had the power to keep sailors safe at sea. It was also thought to possess a...
