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THE PRICE OF GOLD AND SILVER RIGHT NOW: Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium Spot Price Report
Glossary of Construction And Design Techniques for Jewelry
A to Z About Gemstones

Traditional Birthstone Chart
Januauary - Garnet, (Almandine)
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
September - Sapphires (All Colors)
October - Opal, Pink Tourmaline
November - Imperial Topaz, Citrine
December - Blue Zircon, Turquoise

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The Anatomy of a Gemstone

CUT: Cut is the only C that is controlled by man — all other characteristics of the natural gemstone were determined by Mother Nature, and the Cut of a gemstone can be the single most important characteristic that determines its value. Two gemstones of the exact same size with similar clarity and color grades may appear dramatically different to the eye, and have significantly different values.

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GEMSTONE CATEGORIES: The various gem categories (i.e. Precious, Semi Precious, Rare and Museum) are standard classifications based on value and rarity. Precious Gems include those varieties (e.g. Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby.) with high market values, while Museum Gems include rare and hard to find varieties of gems in large and small sizes, pieces which are suitable for collections, usually one of a kind pieces. Rare Gems are rarer lesser-known varieties. Many Rare Gems are Museum Gems. Semi-precious gems generally includes everything else that is mainstream.

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Gemstone Shape and Personality: Can the shape of the gemstone you would choose to wear somehow be related to your personality characteristics. Here are six of the most popular shapes and their prescribed meanings.

The Pear Shape Diamond: The ideal choice for the woman who is bold, outgoing, stylish, and this woman loves art.

Square Cuts: Emerald and Princess Cut Diamonds: The choice for the woman who is sophisticated, adamant and fiery, well organized, disciplined, and efficient.

The Marquise Shape Diamond: The perfect choice for the woman who is creative, innovative, not in need of universal approval, a shrewdly independent thinker and doer.

The Heart Shape Diamond: What could be more perfect for the woman who is a dreamer, very sentimental, dramatic, and devoted?

The Oval Shape Diamond: The ideal selection for the woman who is innovative, the oval shape represents a large family, and is said to be chosen by women who are unique, and slightly complex.

The Classic Round Shape Diamond: A great choice for the woman who is secure, traditional, home and family centered, easygoing and dependable.

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Heart Cut Diamond

Red Chrosite

Round Cut Diamond

Madeira Citrine

Limon Diaspore

Yellowish Green Sapphire

Spessartite Garnet

Portuguese Faceted Pear Cut Smoky Topaz

Emerald Cut Smoky Topaz

Black Star Sapphire

Trillion Cut Imperial Topaz

Cabochon Apatite

Blue Star Sapphire

Trillion Cut Clinohumite

Eosphorite

Orange Sapphire

Violet Amethyst

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Pink Star Sapphire

Phrenite

Red Beryl

Rhodochrosite

Rhodolite Garnet

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Faceted Rubellite Tourmaline

Cabachon Rubellite Tourmaline

Russian Agate

Cabochon Rutilated Quartz

Orange Red Monazite - Rare

Holley Yellow Barite - Rare

Brownish Yellow Cerussite - Rare

Quantum Mystic Topaz

Yellow sapphire.

Sphene

White zircon.

Aquamarine.

Rare Pink Padrascha Sapphire

Red Spinel

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Oval Cut Columbian Emerald

Orange Red Cabochon Mozambique Garnet

Orange Red Hessonite Garnet

Opal Matrix

Multi-Colored Tourmaline with Checkerboard Cut Table

Cats Eye Green Toumaline Cabochon

Antique Cushion Cut African Garnet

Sphene.

Lemon Yellow Sapphire.

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Padparascha Sapphire

Ceylon Blue Sapphire


Heart Cut Canary Diamond


Red Sapphire

Rainbow Mystic Topaz

Simulated Blue Sapphire

Mercury Mystic Topaz

Pink Sapphire

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London Blue Topaz

Simulated Blue Topaz

Kanchanaburi Sapphire

Cognac Zircon

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Shop for lovely mined and untreated Zircon in a rainbow of colors at MineralMiners.com.

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Blue Zircon Color No. 1

Blue Zircon Color No. 2

Blue Zircon Color No. 3

Blue Zircon Color No. 4

Blue Zircon Color No. 5

Blue Zircon Color No. 6 (Electric, Rare)


Green Amethyst (Green Amethyst can be a confusing gem as it is traded under a variety of names and is even sometimes mistaken for other gemstones (e.g. Peridot and Tourmaline). The green variety of Quartz, Green Amethyst is also known as Vermarine, Green Quartz, Lime Citrine or by its gemological name, Prasiolite. Although reasonably affordable, it is unusual and remains a collector’s gemstone. By definition, amethyst is purple quartz.)

Banana Peridot.

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Australian Clearwater Sapphire

Imperial Orange Sapphire

Tanzanite

Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine Garnet Color No. 2

Simulated Tangerine Sapphire

Ruby

Pinkish-Purple Diamond

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Cornflower Blue Topaz


Golden Peach Portuguese Cut Imperial Topaz - A portuguese cut is a round gem. The crown is usually the same as a round brilliant, although it may have extra tiers of facets. The main feature of a Portuguese cut is the pavilion, which has several tiers of facets. Once you see one in person you will understand why they are so special. They have great brilliance and scintillation.

Red Tourmaline

Round Champagne Diamond

Golden-Orange Simulated Sapphire

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Peridot

Neon Blue Created Topaz

Natural Garnet Color No. 1

Natural Garnet Color No. 2

Peruvian Peridot

Fancy Cut Simulated Blue Sapphire

Champagne Diamond

Atara Simulated Sapphire

Simulated Orange Zircon

Rhodolite Garnet

Rose Quartz

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Diamond Bead Jewelry
If you haven't seen a strand of good quality diamond beads (any color) - reserve judgment until you do. For more information about diamond bead strands contact Diajewels.com. Diamond beads are spectacular in ever sense of the word. CrystalsCrystals.com constructs 48 inch strands of lustrous diamond beads in custom designs. These strands quickly become your favorite jewelry item to layer and wear ANYTIME, ANYPLACE. DESIGN TIP: These strands are truly lovely when layered in mixed colors. Most unforgettable. For more information about loose diamond beads and diamond bead strands, contact CrystalsCrystals.com, or Diajewels.com.

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Orange Colored Mexican Fire Opal

Lavender Kunzite

Gold Mexican Fire Opal

Iolite Color No. 1

Iolite Color No. 2

Danburite

African Tourmaline

Blue Ceylon Sapphire

Blue Spinel

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Burma Spinel

Champagne Diamond

Citrine

Columbian Emerald

Kunzite

Pink Tourmaline

Pink Tourmaline

Red Spinel

Swiss Topaz

Tsavorite Garnet

Zandrite

Cambodian Electric Blue Zircon

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Color Change Alexandrite

Bixbite, the Red Emerald

Lemon Peridot

Madagascar Blue Sapphire

Neon Green Apatite

Kunzite

Rubellite Tourmaline

Rubellite Tourmaline Cabochon

Cushion Cut Teal Blue Sapphire

Russian Agate

Baby Pink Rhodonite Cabochons

Royal Jubillee Cut D Color Flawless Diamond

Checkerboard Cut Andalusite

Trillion Cut Siam Mystic Topaz

Step Cut Purple Ceylon Sapphire

Trillion Blue Grey Topaz

Pink Mystic Topaz

Paraiba Blue Tanzanite

Blue Purple Tanzanite

Green Prasiolite

Chrome Diopside

Ametrine with beautiful color banding

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Colored Diamonds
When the news came out that Ben Affleck gave Jennifer Lopez a pink diamond solitaire engagement ring, the viewing figures of pink diamonds went sky high. The sale of that radiant-cut modified princess and emerald cut stone was responsible for a worldwide surge of inquiries and interest in pink diamonds. The Affleck-Lopez diamond weighed approximately 2.5 carats, and cost $1.5 million. Jennifer Lopez later branded her own J-Lo jewelry line featuring simulated pink faux diamonds. The difficulty with any perfect jewelry investment is finding the perfect stone. But color is back in style, and heirloom collector gemstones are very good investments and very fascinating to look at, so it's just a matter of time before another celebrity pops the question with the famed blue, yellow, pink, purple, or truly rare green diamond. Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant's gift of a more than $4 million dollar seven carat purple diamond to his wife Vanessa has likewise helped to skyrocket additional interest in rare colored diamonds. Diamonds are now traded on the Dow. Collector-quality diamonds are wonderful items of great intrinsic and economic value, and they are quite the joy to own and enjoy.

Gemstones and jewelry as an investment works for some people, and not for others. A pure love and respect for gemstones is where some people get their inspiration, collectability and resale value motivate others. One of the true diamond divas of the 20th Century would have to be screen actress Elizabeth Taylor. Her jewelry collection is vast; it is reported Liz' jewelry lockbox containes over 200 carats of the world's top quality diamonds. One stone, the colorless and internally flawless almost 70 carat Taylor-Burton diamond, was given to Elizabeth Taylor in the 60s by Actor Richard Burton. It is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. The stone has quite a history in that it was originally sold at auction in 1969 with the understanding that it could be named by the buyer. Cartier of New York successfully bid for it and immediately christened it The Cartier. The next day Richard Burton bought the stone for Elizabeth Taylor for an undisclosed sum, renaming it the Taylor-Burton Diamond. It made its debut at a charity ball in Monaco in mid-November, 1969 where Miss Taylor wore it as a pendant. In 1978, Ms. Taylor announced that she was putting it up for sale and planned to, after visiting the country of Africa, use part of the proceeds to build a hospital in Botswana. Just to inspect the diamond, prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 to cover the cost of showing it. In June 1979 it was sold for nearly $3 million dollars, and was last reported to be owned by a Princess in Saudi Arabia. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however, with that said, the only thing that has ever been compared to the awesome beauty of a gemstone is the beauty of a woman. That is why the fine gemstones represent love and so many beautiful stones are gifted between people all around the world every single day. When is the last time you bought yourself a beautiful gemstone?

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Sales@CrystalsCrystals.com

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Platinum. A Diamond's Best Friend.
Platinum, like gold, has a long and distinguished history. Its use began in antiquity and it has undergone a resurgence in popularity over the last 200 years. Platinum was held in high esteem during early Egyptian times. Native people in South and Central America worked it as early as 100 B.C. Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum artifacts among the gold they were seeking when they came to the new world. They named the curious metal "platina," or "little silver." They also considered it worthless, and discarded it. Platinum didn't reach Europe until the 18th century, but then it caught on in a big way. King Louis XVI elevated it by terming it "the metal of kings."

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For centuries, the only large amounts of platinum outside of South America were found in Russian mines. Russia used platinum coins in the 19th century. In Spain, some gold coins were faked by gold-plating platinum coins. Today, platinum is far more valuable than gold. Platinum's initial uses were probably limited by its hardness and its very high melting point. The early forging and casting techniques made it quite a difficult metal to work with. During the latter part of the 19th century, and the first half of the 20th, platinum was the premier metal for all-important jewelry. Platinum dominated the world of jewelry design during the Edwardian era, and the Art Deco period well into the 1930s. It all came to an abrupt end in World War II, when platinum was declared a strategic metal and its use banned for all non-military purposes. Platinum has many industrial applications, which made it invaluable to the military during the war. Platinum is vital to the automotive industry as well as to electrical engineering, electronics and petrochemicals. The medical and dental fields also use it to a great degree. Every car in the United States has platinum in its catalytic converter, which reduces emissions. Only about one-third of the platinum mined today is used in jewelry, where it consistently commands higher prices than the purest gold. Because of its many uses, almost all platinum mined and refined is immediately committed to use. An interesting note: There are no stockpiles or "reserves" of platinum in any government or banking storage. The appeal of platinum is in its appearance. Its white luster is unique. It is also the strongest precious metal used in jewelry, and is almost twice as heavy as 14-karat gold. This weight is one of platinum's strongest selling points, because it gives "heft" to fine jewelry, which people naturally equate with value. In recent years platinum has rapidly grown in popularity. It's become the new choice for many diamond engagement rings because its luster brings out the brilliance of diamonds far better than gold. Many fashion consultants agree that platinum (and white gold) is more compatible with fairer skin tones. The Japanese seem to be listening -- almost 85% of platinum jewelry produced every year is purchased by Japanese consumers! Despite its growing popularity, platinum remains one of the world's rare metals. The annual worldwide production of platinum amounts to some 160 tons, compared to about 1,500 tons of gold.

It can be found in just a handful of regions of the world. The mining and refining processes are both arduous and time-consuming. For example, in order to extract a single ounce of platinum, about 10 tons of ore need to be mined. After that, the refining process takes a full five months. Platinum in jewelry is actually an alloyed group of six heavy metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. These other metals are so similar to platinum in weight and chemistry that most were not even distinguished from each other until early in the nineteenth century. Today, it is often alloyed with copper and titanium. It's the only precious metal used in fine jewelry that is 90% to 95% pure, largely hypoallergenic, and tarnish-resistant. Look for platinum jewelry marked 900Pt, 950 Plat, or Plat. One final word about precious metals: Like gold, platinum is durable, sturdy and dependable, making it an ideal setting for your precious diamond jewelry. However, to get a lifetime of enjoyment from your jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe. Do not wear platinum jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store it in a fabric-lined box away from other pieces so it does not get scratched. Finally, check any diamond settings periodically for possible damage to prongs or bezels. If you see a loose prong, or if the setting looks out of line, immediately bring it to a professional for repair.

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Photograph Acknowledgements:CrystalsCrystals networks with a large conglomerate of gemstone dealers and cutters across the country. Please visit the web sites of these select, preferred gem dealers when in search for the perfect stone for your jewelry purchase. Diajewels.com, AfricaGems.com, Gemselect.com, Gemsbonmache, Allgemstone.com, DeluxeGems, ColorGem, Richmondgem, OilPearl, Topluster Gems, ThaiGemstore, ExportGems, Far East Gems, and Sri Lanka Mall.


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