Your guide to Gemstones
There are over 40 popular gemstones that are uses in jewellery today. At designer jewellery store we have desided to find out about them, follow the links below to find out about record breaking gemstones and see photos of jewels fit for kings. We also so you how to spot fakes and tell you what your birthstone is.
Gemstones
Opals »
...There are many factors which add to the value of an opal. Black opals are considered more precious than light opals...
Emeralds »
...While many may think dark or light emerald are worth more it is in fact the most intense bright greens that are valued most...
Rubys »
...the record price paid at auction for a single ruby was $5,860,000 for an unnamed 38.12 carat...
Sapphire »
...Sapphire is regarded as the traditional birthstone for September and in some cultures...
Amethyst »
...Amethyst can be surprisingly inexpensive to buy especially compared to other gemstones such as sapphires and rubies...
Tsavorite garnet »
...The pricing of Tsavorite gems will equal that of any good sapphire, whilst the best gems can rival emeralds in colour and brilliance...
Peridot »
...These peridots are spectacular, being especially large with fine crystals and a colour unsurpassed by...
Demantoid garnet »
...The most vivid green Demantoid Garnet are the highest priced and most sought after. Stones over 2 carats are rare...
Alexandrite »
...Alexandrite was originally found in Russia and takes its name from Tsar Alexander II of Russia, whose birthday it was on the day the gem was found...
Amber »
...In the Middle Ages, peasants in Poland would be hanged without trial for carrying amber...
Citrine »
...Citrine is a yellow variety of the mineral quartz. It is an alternative birthstone for the month of November...
Corundum »
...the most famous Corundum gemstones are the red specimen also known as the RUBY and the blue specimen which as better known as the SAPPHIRE...
Beryl »
...The green variety of beryl is EMERALD, Blue beryl is called AQUAMARINE, while Morganite is the pink variety...
Coral »
...The traditional colour for coral is red right through to pink, however it also comes in black, white, gold right through ...
Diamond »
...It is the birthstone for the month of April and marks the 60th anniversary in western cultures...
Jade »
...There are several features which determine the value of jade. These include: colour and the intensity of that colour, the...
Lapis Lazul »
...The Egyptians also powdered the stone and used it as eye shadows... While the Romans used lapis lazuli as an aphrodisiac...
Moonstone »
...The most desirable moonstone colour is blue, though they can also be purchased in white, pink, brown and green...
Oxyn »
...Onyx is more traditionally used in men’s jewellery. It is loved by many for its striking black color...
Pearl »
...Pearls like coral are an organic gemstone... Black pearls are especially rare and therefore very precious...
Quartz »
...The quartz family contains many different gemstones including, amethyst, citrine, sardonyx, onyx, agate, jasper, opal, Bloodstone and rose quartz...
Tourmaline »
...Tourmaline comes in many colours each of which has their own name. these include, Blue Tourmaline, Multicored Tourmaline...
Turquoise »
...Turquoise is also considered a mark of friendship, or faithfulness in relationships...
Zircon »
....The oldest known object on earth is a zircon crystal, it has been dated to about 4.4 billion years old...
