gemstones symbolism

Many cultures have long considered ruby a king's gem. Not surprisingly, ruby symbolism and lore have many associations with power,...

Topaz's most popular mystical association has been with wealth. However, topaz symbolism and lore also covers areas such as health,...

Garnet symbolism is rich and varied. The January birthstone has inspired many legends and popular associations with love, friendship, light,...

With a silverly light that seems to come from within, moonstone has many associations with the Moon. While you certainly...

Behind every mystical gem is a merchant. Since ancient times, malachite has been “the salesman's stone.” Learn more about malachite...

Beautiful blue colors and the star stone effect have influenced sapphire symbolism through the ages. Learn more about the legends...

Once the stone of royalty, the fragile opal has a convoluted personality and lore. Opal symbolism is as varied as...

Both jadeite and nephrite have inspired beautiful works of art and a rich body of lore. Jade symbolism covers themes...

Many people consider beautiful sky blue turquoise stones to be lucky. Learn about the turquoise symbolism and lore of Native...

Amber has a long history of ornamental use and popular associations with animals, energy, and the Sun. Learn more about...

Onyx symbolism and lore is filled with negative associations. Learn how people have counteracted these purported effects and enjoy this...

Carnelian symbolism and lore touches on health, luck, and royalty. However, just wearing these gems isn't always effective. Would-be alchemists...

Explore pearl symbolism across history - from lunar connections and wealth to purity and spiritual journeys. Discover what pearls represent...

How do you say “love me” with a stone? Learn about lapis lazuli symbolism and legends. This beautiful blue mineral...

Explore the amethyst meaning andjourney from ancient protection against drunkenness to spiritual symbol. Discover the legends, meanings, and cultural significance...

Discover the rich historical emerald meaning and symbolism from Cleopatra's treasures to religious significance. Learn what emerald stones truly symbolize...

Can you rely on gemstone certificates to reveal everything that can affect the value of pricey gems? Learn what to...

The AGTA has proposed the use of gemstone treatment codes to promote disclosure and a common language for these procedures....

Investors have many gemstone sourcing options, but which ones will work best for you? Learn the pros and cons, as...

What kinds of gems can novice faceters cut to make a profit? Learn which gemstones make money reliably and which...

A novice gem cutter needs to master various dopping techniques for cabbing and faceting gemstones. Learn how to attach gem...

Gemstone enhancements improve the appearance and wearability of gems. Learn about the most commonly used procedures and frequently treated types...

How is a faceted gem like a retroreflecting prism? Learn to distinguish gemstone brilliance from scintillation and how gem cutters...

Non-destructive tests are critical for gemologists trying to identify gems. Learn how measuring thermal properties, especially thermal inertia, can help....

Gemstone cleavage is a break in a crystal along internal planes. Learn the science behind this and the difference between...

Gem faceters and jewelry enthusiasts alike should learn about gemstone toxicity. This table has toxicity ratings for 280+ gems, based...

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...

Gemstone pricing can vary greatly between dealers. Learn about the myriad factors that go into prices for both colored gems...

Gemstone inclusions are materials trapped inside gems as they form. Learn how gemologists use inclusions to help identify gemstones and...

Identifying lab-created gems is a critical skill for gemologists. Learn how to spot the most common synthetic gemstone inclusions.

Carats are the units used to measure gem weight and one of the main factors in gem grading. Learn what...

Destructive gemstone testing, done carefully, can help gemologists and mineralogists with difficult gem or mineral identifications. Learn the right techniques...

Gemstone transparency describes how much light passes through a gem and how it scatters. Learn what causes a gem to...

Our gemstone care guide covers many popular gems. Learn how best to maintain your gemstone jewelry and what kinds of...

Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are to How...

The Hayek cut is great for light to medium-colored gem rough that’s blocky but not square enough for an emerald...

The Gemstone Butterfly is a stunning design for a custom-cut gem. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to facet...

Learn what gemstone dispersion means, what causes it, and how it relates to other optical effects.

Gemstone luminescence is a glow that occurs when certain stones are subjected to energy such as UV light. This effect...

Wearing gemstone cufflinks is a great way to add personality and style to a standard tuxedo. Learn how to choose...

Mechanical gemstone cleaning has benefits and risks. Learn all about ultrasonic, steam, and boiling systems and how gems might react...

The Pentafan is a unique cut designed for larger gems with deep color saturation. Learn how to cut this design...

How goes gemstone grading work? Learn how gemologists evaluate both diamonds and colored gems and the qualities they examine.

A gemstone's birefringence is a measure of its double refraction. Learn how to use it to identify gems and see...

Chemical formulas identify the chemical composition of minerals, including gems. Learn what their symbols, numbers, and parentheses mean.

Choosing the best gemstone orientation for your rough takes skill and experience. Learn what factors you should take into account...

Learning how to conduct a gemstone examination takes practice. Follow an expert gemologist step-by-step through tests of five unknown samples....

Gemologists use refraction liquids to identify gemstone refractive indices (RI). Learn about the properties of these liquids and safe RI...