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…)
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…)
March’s aptly titled birthstone, aquamarine, grows in gorgeous crystals and sparkles like the ocean on a sun-kissed day. But do you know what to look for when shopping for aquamarine? (more…)
The Cullinan II is a 317.40 carat (ct) cushion cut diamond and the centerpiece of the British Imperial State Crown. Do you know the history behind this beautiful diamond? (more…)
Those celebrating December birthdays are fortunate to have a few birthstones to choose from – zircon, tanzanite, blue topaz and lapis lazuli, among them. But one of the best known and most loved December gems is turquoise, a gem that has been mined and used for thousands of years. (more…)
As the majority of the country heads into cooler temperatures of late fall/early winter, November’s birthstone, citrine, provides a much needed burst of sunshine. The warm, sunny color of this popular gemstone inspired its name, derived from the French word “citron,” meaning “lemon.” Its color ranges from saturated yellow to reddish orange to pale yellow. (more…)
Tourmaline has one of the widest color ranges of any gemstone. While October’s birthstone can be found in virtually every hue of the rainbow, the most popular varieties range from rich reds and pinks, to greens and yellows, to blues and violets. Some tourmalines are bi-colored and parti-colored, exhibiting two or more colors in a single gem – a feature known as color zoning. (more…)
Think of every passing year as an opportunity to celebrate with your birthstone. In fact, people have been wearing birthstone jewelry since the 15th century in Poland, when they were encouraged to own all 12. And while birthstone secrets and lore can be found right here on our blog, today we share what makes YOUR birthstone a powerful statement of your finest qualities. (more…)
September’s birthstone is perhaps most known for the extraordinary sapphire ring worn by Kate Middleton, originally belonging to Princess Diana. Taking a cue from the British royals, celebrities like Penelope Cruz have fueled the colored gemstone engagement ring trend, with sapphire leading the way. (more…)
August’s fascinating birthstone may be called the “extreme gem” because it is formed in the most extreme conditions, found in lava, meteorites and deep within Earth’s mantle. Peridot has been found in pallasite meteorites, which contain remnants of our solar system’s birth. In 2006, peridot was found in comet dust brought back from the Stardust robotic space probe. (more…)
The legendary beauty of June’s luminescent birthstone has been celebrated for centuries. We explored the pearl’s history and lore, the various types of pearls available, and how a pearl’s value is assessed and what to look for when purchasing a pearl. Now we are going to discuss how to care for one! (more…)
