sapphire

We've tallied your opinions from our gem treatment survey. Are treated gems natural? How much should they cost? With a...

Discover the 4 main gem cutting styles that transform rough stones into dazzling jewels. Learn how brilliant, step, mixed &...

Made from two or more materials, assembled gems can make durable and affordable jewelry. Learn more about gemstone doublets, triplets,...

Turquoise is one of the world’s most popular opaque gemstones. Used as ornamentation and a symbol of wealth for thousands...

Looking for an affordable alternative to diamonds? Cubic zirconia (CZ) stones offer a budget-friendly option that mimics the appearance of...

If you’re in the gem and jewelry business, you’ll need to write effective advertising. These techniques will help you succeed....

Gemstone heat treatments can increase the beauty and value of many rough pieces. Learn how to conduct the most common...

Oxides and hydroxides are mineral classes that include well-known gems as well as significant ores. Learn how to identify these...

Authentic Georgian jewelry is rare. Before you buy, learn about the notable pieces and qualities of this antique style, including...

As a December birthstone, blue zircon is very popular. But are blue zircons natural? Learn how zircons form and get...

The Usambara effect is a gemstone color change phenomenon distinct from pleochroism or the alexandrite effect. Tourmaline and other species...

Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what Jeff shares on...

How do scientists define a mineral? Learn what minerals are made of, their many uses, and the difference between gemstones...

If you're new to this business, let me clue you in. If you want to know what to expect as...

Amethyst, the February birthstone, comes in beautiful purple colors and makes a durable jewelry stone. Learn more about this wonderful...

Jade is an elegant choice for an engagement ring stone. Our jade engagement ring guide will show you how to...

These gemology cheat sheets review gem color and clarity grading, specific information on evaluating diamonds and opals, and basic gem...

Is all turquoise turquoise color? Learn about this gem's most popular natural colors and how people have prized them for...

BGD offer high-performance stones, cut to reflect as much light as possible. © Brian Gavin. Used with permission. Brian Gavin...

Looking for a gem that will make a big impression on your finger, not your wallet? These ten gems make...

How accurate are gem, mineral, and rock scanner identification apps? Our review covers the strengths and weaknesses of over 20...

Bangkok is the center of the colored gem trade. Compare the top four Bangkok gemology schools and see why this...

For centuries, balas rubies were prized by royalty. Learn what happened after gemologists identified these gems as red spinels instead....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_yl8KLU2xE When we learned our friend Angela was going to design a new engagement ring with CustomMade, we asked that...

Exceptionally sparkly, radiant-cut diamonds are great for engagement rings. But how can you find a top-quality gem? Read our tips...

You can probably find a topaz engagement ring stone in your favorite color at a reasonable price. Learn what to...

Here are the top 5 facts about diamonds you need to know: (1) the supply of blood diamonds has decreased;...

Vintage engagement rings come in many different styles, but designs from four eras are very popular today. Learn more and...

A lot happens in eleven years. Those celebrating an eleventh wedding anniversary have jointly experienced their fair share of life’s...

People have prized turquoise jewelry for millennia. Learn about these traditional turquoise designs that still influence modern artisans.

Ever since synthetic diamonds became a significant player in the wider diamond marketplace in 2018, gem news has been dominated...

Spinel collector and gem trade expert Seth Rosen discusses the current market and potential future for this beautiful but little-known...

The polariscope is an essential tool for gem identification. Learn how it works, how to use it, and how to...

Move over dainty chains and barely-there stackable rings, the cutting-edge jewelry at the 2025 Las Vegas shows was noticeably more...

Regardless of personal opinions, it is an undeniable fact that the demand for synthetic diamonds has increased exponentially since they...

Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what Jeff shares on...

Old Mine Tales that were submitted as letters to Faceter's Digest. They are a personal history of the author's experiences...

What equipment do novice gem cutters need? In Part 2 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam covers faceting machines, their...

Cabochon cutting or cabbing is the most popular form of gem cutting. With practice, you can master this skill. Read...

Synthetic spinel is a widely used jewelry stone. Learn how gemologists can identify lab-made flame-fusion, flux, and Czochralski spinels.

Wow, ten years of marriage.  That’s a full decade! You and your spouse have now been married for a double-digit...

Although phosphates and other mineral classes are rare, they still have species with important uses. Learn how to identify these...

Crystallography is the study of crystalline solids and their properties. Learn how mineralogists use this to identify minerals.

There are key differences between gemology and mineralogy. Learn about these disciplines and how studying mineralogy can benefit gemologists.

What is April’s Birthstone? The birthstone representing April is diamond. The vast majority of diamonds are transparent, colorless, and show...

Some natural as well as synthetic gems have specific, characteristic inclusions. Learn the identifying inclusions of some of the most...

Throw the old engagement ring budget rule in the trash. You should spend as much or as little as you...

Discover the complete aquamarine buying guide with expert tips on color, clarity, cut, and carat. Learn about treatments, synthetics, and...