Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility.
Search
Search
Search

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

Fire opal gemstone
Red Gemstone Buying Guide – Part 2

As passions ignite this month, a jewelry gift featuring a red gemstone is a token of love that can be enjoyed every day. While seen mostly in fashion jewelry, red gemstones are showing up as an option for the primary stone in engagement rings. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, who sports a 5-carat ruby engagement ring, have been influential in bringing gemstones to the forefront of bridal trends. In addition to rubies, garnets and red diamonds, which we discussed yesterday, the following gemstones are more options for those looking to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a gift of a spectacular red gem. (more…)

Red diamond gemstone
Red Gemstone Buying Guide – Part 1

Blame it on St. Valentine, but February is synonymous with the color red. Giving your special someone a red gemstone jewelry piece would be the ultimate token of affection to mark the upcoming holiday dedicated to romance. When considering purchasing a red gemstone such as ruby, garnet, or red diamond, there are a few key facts and considerations to keep in mind. (more…)

The GIA Diamond Buying Guide, Part One

Buying a diamond can be a significant purchase both emotionally and financially, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. This GIA Diamond Buying Guide can help you determine what is the best quality diamond for you. Here are four basic steps to ensure that the journey to find your perfect diamond is as pleasurable as admiring the diamond you finally select.

(more…)

GIA Celebrates Birthstones – Diamond, the Invincible Gemstone

Diamonds, from the Greek “adamas” meaning invincible, are the hardest of all gemstones. April’s birthstone is formed deep within the Earth and reached the surface through violent volcanic eruptions. (more…)

GIA Celebrates Birthstones – Aquamarine, the Gemstone of the Sea

Aquamarine, the March birthstone, evokes the colors of the sea. From deep green-blue hues to light, slightly greenish-blue, they are often free from inclusions and as clear as water, symbolizing purity of spirit and soul. (more…)

Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
True Blue in Fashion

The color blue has inspired poets, songwriters and mankind for centuries. This season, it’s also inspiring plenty of fashion statements, as seen in Vogue, Elle and Los Angeles Times to name a few. It’s no surprise then that blue gemstones are some of the most coveted in the colored gemstone spectrum. (more…)

All About Birthstones: Tanzanite in December

Tanzanite, the December alternate to turquoise and zircon, was not discovered until 1967, so it is a relative newcomer to the list of birthstones. It is named for the one country on earth where it is currently found: Tanzania, in eastern Africa.  Although discovered by others, Tiffany & Co. deserves the credit for naming the gem and popularizing it beginning with a big publicity campaign in 1968. (more…)

GIA Celebrates Birthstones

If you want to learn more about your birthstone or enjoy browsing some spectacular gems, be sure to make your way to the “GIA Celebrates Birthstone” exhibit at GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Whether browsing a variety of polished gems, or taking in some of the spectacular jewelry on display, you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity. (more…)

Asscher Earring: A pair of colorless Asscher cut diamond earrings.
The Asscher Cut: A Cut of Royalty and Reinvention

Some diamond cut’s never go out of style, especially when they boast a royal heritage and have been redesigned and reinvented. Such is the case with the popular Asscher cut. (more…)

August Birthstone: Peridot, from Earth or from Space

Hailing from the olivine group of minerals, the peridot is a mysterious and thought-provoking gem. Peridot was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, first in the second century BC in priests’ jewelry and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. Peridot has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.” (more…)

How to Choose a Reputable Jeweler

When considering the purchase of a gem or piece of jewelry, it is important to find an educated jeweler with a trustworthy reputation. A professional jeweler will have the knowledge and training to help you make an informed purchase. A jeweler with a reliable reputation will strive to understand your preferences,  provide you with a variety of purchase options, and do so in an honest and straightforward way. (more…)

July and the “King of Gemstones” – The Ruby Birthstone

Few things catch the eye like the ruby birthstone. This July birthstone has a color which can be described as a deep, pure, vivid red. Ruby, a variety of the mineral corundum (which also includes sapphires), is as historically captivating as it is beautiful.

In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj or “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty, and for its seemingly mystical powers. (more…)