Gemstone Information
Are you curious to learn more about quality and features of various gemstones while you shop for gemstone jewelry? Below you'll find the details you need when deciding which piece of gemstone jewelry is right for you. From gemstone color to descriptions of the qualities we carry, it's all here!
Gemstones are listed in alphabetical order:
Alexandrite:
A color-changing gem featuring bewitching array of vibrant blue-green in daylight and deep purple-reds by night. Alexandrite is worn to encourage emotional balance, creativity, and imagination.
Birthstone: June
Anniversary: 18th, 55th
Family: Chrysoberyl
Quality:
A: Light green to greenish blue, weak or low color change; included.
AA: Green to greenish blue, moderate to medium color change effect; slightly included.
AAA: Deep green to bluish green/red to purplish red, bright to high color change; eye clean color change is dramatic.
Gem: (Lab Created) Medium to dark greenish blue; changing to medium violet red eye clean; good cut; good polish SYN enhancement code
AGTA Treatment Code: N
Care: Alexandrite is rated "Excellent" for everyday wear. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Amethyst
Featuring a rich purple color that looks amazing in white, yellow and rose gold settings. Purple is often worn to symbolize royalty, passionate and daring qualities.
Birthstone: February
Anniversary: 6th
Family: Quartz
Quality:
A: Light to medium purple, little or no color zoning; eye clean to slight imperfections; good cut.
AA: Medium to medium dark purple, little or no color zoning; eye clean to slight imperfections; good cut.
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Amethyst is rated "Good" for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mile dish soap and warm water.
Aquamarine
Named for the waters of Antiquity, this gem is alluring for it's pale summer sky blue color. This gem is worn to offer the wearer calm spirituality, and mental clarity.
Birthstone: March
Anniversary: 19th
Family: Beryl
Quality:
A: Medium to light color; slightly included; good cut
AA: Medium color; eye clean; good cut
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Aquamarine is rated “Good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, chemicals and protect from scratches or hard blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Citrine
The bright and lively color of this orange-yellow gem is rare to find in nature. It is most commonly created by heating Amethyst to the perfect hue. Citrine is most commonly worn to inspire joy, confidence, creativity and prosperity.
Birthstone: November
Anniversary: 1st and 13th
Family: Quartz
Quality:
A: Light, slightly golden yellow; little or no color zoning; eye clean; good cut
AA: Medium dark golden yellow to yellowish orange; little or no color zoning; eye clean; good cut
Fine: Medium to Dark color, minimal visible inclusions
Madiera: Medium to dark brownish orange; eye clean
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Citrine is rated "Good" for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight, exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Emerald
A beautiful lush green hue given its name from an ancient Sanskrit word meaning "the green of growing things." The color is embraced during springtime as the May birthstone. People wear this gem to symbolize vitality, honesty and fidelity.
Birthstone: May
Anniversary: 35th and 55th
Family: Beryl
Quality:
A: Medium color; slightly included; good cut; good polish
AA: Medium dark to dark color; slightly included; high brilliance; good cut; good polish
Gem: (Lab Created) Medium to dark green; eye clean; good cut; good polish SYN enhancement code
AGTA Treatment Code: O; Lab Created- SYN
Care: Emerald is rated "fair to good" for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Garnet
A warm deep red stone most commonly associated with rich red color. Mozambique Garnet is warm dark red to brown. Rhodiolite Garnet is cool deep red-purple color. Garnet is believed to help cure depression, improve dreams and promote love. Travelers sometimes wear garnet to provide courage and protection.
Some naturally occurring garnets may be found in green or orange as well. Tsavorite Garnet rivals the emerald in green hue and may be worn to promote vitality, strength, success and calm. Orange Garnet, sometimes called Mandarin Garnet is a bold reddish orange that is particularly stunning when set in yellow gold. Orange Garnet is worn to build confidence, stimulate an analytical mind and enhance strength.
Birthstone: January
Anniversary: Red Garnet: 2nd; Tsavorite Garnet: 25th
Family: Almondite or Almondite/Pyrope Blend
Quality:
Mozambique Garnet AA: Medium to dark red to brownish orange, eye clean, good cut
Rhodiolite Garnet AA: Medium to dark raspberry to plum, eye clean, good cut
Tsavorite Garnet AAA: Medium to medium dark very slightly yellowish green, excellent color, eye clean, excellent polish
AA: Light to medium yellowish green, excellent color, eye clean excellent polish
Orange Garnet AA: Medium yellowish orange, very slightly included, good cut
AGTA Treatment Code: N
Care: Garnet is rated “Good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden temperature changes. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Morganite
A delicate pale to peachy pink delicate and sophisticated looking gem from the same gem family as Aquamarine and Emerald. Morganite with it's gentle hue is often believed to stimulate calm, reduce stress, bring wisdom and give purpose to life.
Family: Beryl
Quality:
AA: Pink: Light to Medium Light pink, eye clean, good cut.
AA: Peach: Light to Medium Light pink, eye clean, good cut.
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Morganite is rated “Good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. Protect this gem from harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Onyx
The most traditionally used black gemstone. Onyx was thought to be a protective stone used when facing adversity, enhancing confidence and authority while absorbing negative energy.
Family: Chalcedony
Quality:
Standard Black: Good cut, good polish.
AGTA Treatment Code: D
Care: Onyx is rated “Fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat. Avoid contact with chemicals and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean scrub gently with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Opal
A magical and bewitching gem most often featuring a white background with flashes of color ranging throughout the gem. Opals found in Ethiopia may feature a more translucent yellow tone with bright color play throughout. Black Opals have a dark opaque background while still featuring flashes of bright color.
Birthstone: October
Anniversary: 14th
Family: Opal
Quality:
White Opal:
AAA: White background; medium to strong fire; color ranges include blue, green, and red
AA: White background; good to medium fire; color ranges include blue, green, and red
Black Opal:
AAA: Dark grey to black background with vibrant flashes of multiple colors; semi-translucent to opaqueAA: Dark grey to black background, good to medium strong play of color with at least two major color flashes - typically blue, green, or red; semi-translucent to opaque
A: Dark grey to black background, good to medium play of color with at least one predominant color flash - typically blue or green; semi-translucent to opaque
AGTA Treatment Code: N
Care: Opal is rated “Fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Peridot
A splendid greenish-gold gem which is believed to heal a broken heart, bring good fortune, help with peaceful sleep and raise self awareness.
Birthstone: August
Anniversary: 16th
Family: Peridot
Quality:
AA: Medium to dark, yellowish green, eye clean, good cut
AGTA Treatment Code: N
Care: Peridot is rated "Fair" for everyday wear, with care. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean scrub gently with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Ruby
A coveted red gem, most commonly sought after by the royal and wealthy. The deep red hue inspires passion, love, devotion, courage while some believe it guards the owner's wealth and rank.
Birthstone: July
Anniversary: 15th and 40th
Family: Corundum
Quality:
AAA: Medium dark pinkish red to red; eye clean, good brilliance, excellent cut, good polish
AA: Medium dark pinkish red; eye clean, good brilliance, good gut; good polish
A: Medium pinkish red; slightly included; good cut; good polish
Gem: (Lab Created) Medium to dark blood red; eye clean; good cut; good polish
AGTA Treatment Code: N; Lab Created: SYN
Care: Rubies are rated “Excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at home ultrasonic unit.
Sapphire
Blue Sapphire features a breathtaking blue ceylon hue and is thought to bring the wearer spiritual enlightenment, inner peace, wisdom, insight and integrity.
White Sapphire is a bright, white stone and valuable in it's own right. Often used as an economical diamond alternative.
Birthstone: September
Anniversary: 5th, 7th (Yellow Sapphire),10th (Blue Sapphire), 45th
Family: Corundum
Quality:
Blue Sapphire:Precision-cut Ceylon Color AAA: Medium to dark blue; little or no color zoning; eye clean; excellent brilliance; excellent cut; excellent polish
Precision-cut Ceylon Color AA: Medium light to medium blue; little or no color zoning; eye clean; excellent brilliance; excellent cut; excellent polish
Precision-cut Ceylon Color A: Light to medium light blue; little or no color zoning; eye clean; excellent brilliance; excellent cut; excellent polish
Ceylon Color AA: Medium to medium dark blue, little or no color zoning; good cut; good polish
Gem: (Lab Created) Medium to dark blue; eye clean; good cut; good polish.
AA: Near colorless (may be very slightly yellow, gray or blue); eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish.
AGTA Treatment Code: H; Lab Created: SYN
Care: Sapphires are rated “Excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Spinel
Black Spinel is the rarest type of Spinel and rivals onyx as a black gemstone used in jewelry. Some believe it soothes a sad heart and promotes positive devoted romantic relationships.
Pink Spinel can be found in a number of light to dark pink hues and can rival the color of pink tourmaline or even some shades of ruby.
Gray Spinel is a versatile gray gemstone that looks beautiful in all settings. A highly fashionable neutral color that goes well with almost all colors.
Birthstone: August
Anniversary: 65th
Family: Spinel
Quality:
(Black) Fine: Opaque; good cut; good polish
(Pink) AA: Medium reddish pink; eye clean; good cut; good polish
(Gray) AA: Medium gray; eye clean; good cut; good polish
AGTA Treatment Code: N
Care: Spinel is rated “Excellent” for everyday wear. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Topaz
Blue Topaz is a hypnotic blue gem reminiscent of the sky or blue oceans. Blue Topaz is most often sold in three distinct shades. This gem with its calming color is sometimes sought out to represent learning, understanding, creativity, inspiration, honesty and peace.
Sky Blue Topaz: The lightest of the blue shades is gentle and soft. The color is very similar to aquamarine.
Swiss Blue Topaz: A bright medium blue most closely resembling blue tropical waters or a summer sky.
London Blue Topaz: A rich blue, like a dark twilight sky is the darkest of the three most common blue topaz stones featured here.
Birthstone: December
Anniversary: 4th, 19th
Family: Topaz
Quality:
Sky Blue AA: Bright light blue; eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish.
Swiss Blue AA: Medium to dark bright blue; eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish.
London Blue AA: Medium dark greyish blue; eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish
AGTA Treatment Code: R
Care: Topaz is rated “Good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline may be found in a variety of colors. Most common types sold are Pink and Green Tourmaline.
Pink Tourmaline is a sweet, rosy pink gemstone. This gem is gaining popularity as October has become aligned with breast cancer awareness month and has adopted pink symbolism.
Green Tourmaline rivals the emerald in rich green color and sets itself apart with a slightly yellow tone.
Birthstone: (Pink) October
Anniversary: 5th (Pink); 8th
Family: Tourmaline
Quality:
Pink AA: Medium to medium dark pink; slightly included to eye clean; good cut
Pink A: Light to medium light pink; slightly included; good cut
Green AA: Medium light to dark yellowish green; eye clean to slight imperfections, good cut
Green A: Medium to dark yellowish green; slight inclusions; medium dome
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Tourmaline is rated “Fair to Good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Zircon
Zircon shares a similarity in name but should not be confused with a cubic zirconia. This gem is unique in its own right occurring in a variety of colors, and hues. Colorless Zircon are sometimes known to replicate the fire typically seen with well cut diamonds and can sometimes be mistaken for one.
Blue Zircon a beautiful blue gem that rivals blue topaz and is recognized as a modern alternative birth stone for the month of December
Birthstone: December
Anniversary: 4th
Family: Zircon
Quality:
AA: Medium dark, slightly greenish blue; eye clean; good cut
AGTA Treatment Code: H
Care: Zircon is rated “Fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Subscribe to our emails
Subscribe to our mailing list for insider news, product launches, and more.