July 29th marks the 125th anniversary of the passing of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). GIA offers a tribute to the great artist by celebrating his beloved painting, The Starry Night, and its dazzling companion piece, the Starry Night Sapphire – a 112 carat star sapphire.
Follow the yellow brick road to the 1939 film classic, The Wizard of Oz. Movie memorabilia like the sparkling “ruby” slippers worn by the film’s heroine Dorothy, have captured hearts for decades. The iconic red shoes, magical heel click, and the renowned words, “There’s no place like home” spark a memory in virtually everyone who’s seen the movie. The slippers in the film were made from iridescent red sequins. Lucky for gem lovers, the ruby slippers became a reality in 1989 when Harry Winston created this beautiful pair featuring the July birthstone, ruby. (more…)
Many of us share a timeless attraction to pearls— it’s a deep admiration that extends across cultures and continents. Maybe it’s because pearls are associated with water, a fundamental element of life. Or maybe it’s because this June birthstone comes from a living thing. Natural pearls are highly sought after due to their rarity. For those who prefer cultured pearls, you’re in luck: cultured freshwater and saltwater pearls are widely available, and in so many colors and shapes that there are pearls to suit a variety of tastes. (more…)
Emerald, widely regarded as the definition of green for hundreds of years, is the perfect color for spring. From the poetic description of Ireland as “the Emerald Isle” to the vibrant green of the famed gemstone itself—the May birthstone emerald has captured hearts and minds through the ages. (more…)
What makes a diamond famous? It may be its rarity or even its size. But more often than not, a diamond’s fame comes from its association with a person of historical influence. Learn about the world’s most famed diamonds, including those owned by the luminary Elizabeth Taylor, the British Royal Family, and the renowned Napoleon Bonaparte. With jewels such as these, April babies are honored to have the most beloved and sought after birthstone: the diamond. (more…)
The hero of this month’s installment in GIA’s series on famous birthstones is the bluish-green aquamarine given to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The rough weighed a staggering 1.3 kilograms that yielded two gems when cut. The largest, a rectangular step cut stone weighing 1,298 carats, has an interesting political history. (more…)
In the midst of the winter season, give a loving look at our favorite blue gemstones and jewelry. From a blue star sapphire to a vivid blue diamond, each of the featured blue gemstones below promises a cool blue hue to take you through the rest of the winter. (more…)
GIA presents February’s famous birthstone: amethyst as featured in the Duchess of Windsor’s amethyst necklace by Cartier. While the Duke and Duchess of Windsor commissioned many jewels, this stunning amethyst piece has both a love story and historic resonance behind it. (more…)
Happy Birthday January! We begin our famous birthstone series with none other than January’s birthstone, garnet. While there are many different species and varieties of garnet that come in many colors, perhaps the most well-known is pyrope garnet. Usually deep red, this gem is featured in the antique pyrope hair comb, a stunning and historic example of pyrope’s beauty, and GIA’s famous birthstone for January babies. (more…)
Stunning, striking, and simply gorgeous, birthstone jewelry is a great holiday gift. Show your affection with a gift that merges individuality with style. A birthstone celebrates her personal story and represents a bit of who she is, so you may want to start the process by asking yourself what style suits her. Is she traditional or contemporary, classic or colorful? Does she prefer her metal silver spun or in a golden twist? Once you’ve got her design preferences down, don’t forget the qualities that make a birthstone valuable. (more…)
Found only in a few places on earth, turquoise is the second of December’s two official birthstones. Sought after for its robin’s egg blue and unique spiderweb-like patterns, it’s a perfect gem for unusual jewelry designs. (more…)
Captivated by pearls? You’re certainly in good company. A favorite of legendary women including Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth, these beautiful spheres are the only precious gems made from a living creature – the mollusk. (more…)