What is my Birthstone?
The idea of a single birthstone for each month is a modern idea with a long history, but today’s consumers can choose gems from traditional or modern…
The idea of a single birthstone for each month is a modern idea with a long history, but today’s consumers can choose gems from traditional or modern…
The Mohs hardness scale measures a mineral’s resistance to scratching. Find the traditional scale here and a chart of select gems ordered by hardness.…
Considering buying gems in Afghanistan? Learn which Afghan gemstones to seek out, which to avoid, and prepare for a “buyer beware” experience.…
Learn essential ruby buying tips from experts. Discover how to evaluate color, clarity, cut & carat weight. Avoid synthetic stones & treatments.…
What factors determine the light return of faceted gemstones? Facet quality, polish, color, and cut style all play roles. Learn more about these…
Learn about the different crystal growth methods used to artificially create gemstones in laboratories.
Many varieties of gems besides diamond can be created in the laboratory. Our synthetic gemstone guide covers many examples and explains their…
Feldspars are the most common minerals at the Earth’s surface. In fact, if the entire composition of the Earth’s crust were regarded as a single…
A facet design created by a guest designer Dave Dening. This design is called the “Celtic Cross” which was made as memento for his wife and sister-in-law.…