Amanda Butcher
Amanda is a student of geological sciences and environmental studies at Tufts University. She grew up hiking and mountain biking in the Bay Area and continues to explore nature and learn about the beautiful gems and minerals it forms in her free time.
Articles by Amanda Butcher
Sixth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Amethyst
What is Amethyst?
Amethyst is the official sixth anniversary gemstone, offering a traditional alternative to iron or wood. Amethyst is...
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Fifth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Sapphire
Sapphire is the official fifth anniversary gift gemstone, making it a wonderful gift if you want to honor anniversary gift...
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Fourth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is the official fourth anniversary gemstone, making it a wonderful gift idea if you are looking for a...
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Third Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Pearls
Anniversary gift traditions began in the Victorian Era, around the time when love marriages began to take the place of...
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First Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Gold Jewelry
Your first anniversary is a truly special time, representing your first year together after making a lifetime commitment. Choosing the...
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January Birthstone: Garnet
Both the modern and traditional birthstone for January is garnet. Garnets come in many colors, including red, yellow, orange, green,...
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Grading Lab-Grown Diamonds: An Introduction to the Four Cs
Who Created the Four Cs Standard?
Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), developed the...
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Lab-Grown Diamond Pricing
What are the major factors behind lab-grown diamond pricing? Learn how synthetic diamond pricing differs from that of natural diamonds....
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Is Growing Diamonds a Sustainable Alternative to Diamond Mining?
Are lab-grown diamonds a more sustainable resource than natural diamonds? Compare the environmental impact of diamond mining to lab production....
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Lab-Grown Diamond Production Methods
Lab-grown diamond production methods simulate the natural conditions that produce diamonds deep underground. Learn how the HPTP and CVD processes...
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A Brief History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The lab-grown diamonds available now are the result of decades of research. Learn the history of lab-grown diamonds and how...
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History of Birthstones
What is a Birthstone?
Birthstones have become very popular for gift-givers and gem-lovers for their dazzling array of colors and...
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Most Expensive Diamond Colors With Prices Explained
Looking at fancy colored diamonds? Discover unique diamond colors with our guide and learn how the pricing of these gems...
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Ethical Diamonds: How to Buy a Conflict-Free Diamond in 2023
Where
Diamonds Come From
First, it is important to understand
where
diamonds come from and how they are produced.
Diamonds...
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