Blue topaz engagement rings have been gaining popularity for many reasons. The gemstone, blue topaz, stands for individuality, creativity, and confidence in decisions the perfect ring for the perfect woman in your life. This ring represents everything you fell in love with and motivated you to make the decision to ask her to become your life-long mate.

Other than the strong meaning, blue topaz is gracing the fingers of more and more women because of its beauty. Blue, pure, and gleaming, who would not want their wife to have such a beautiful daily reminder of true love?

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Some prefer to wander through stores where they can find an abundance of designs to get ideas from. Your local jewelers, catalogs, and places like Penney’s and Macy’s have an abundance of possibilities for your viewing pleasure. However, if you are in the mood to do it yourself, there are several things you will need to know.

What era do you prefer? The most often choices considered are the romance-inspired Antique, Victorian, and Edwardian. The trendy Art Deco and Art Nouveaus are still being purchased or made even today. Sleeker, cleaner lines of the tension, bezel, invisible settings are very popular. The Tiffany setting is still the number one in diamond ring mountings with the tension set close behind.

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You can find mountings everywhere. The Internet is incredibly useful for scrolling through the varieties of choices where ideas and creativity abound. You will also find competent, qualified ring designers online who will design with either cachet, romance or modern because the world is at your fingertips. It can be easy to put your ideas into your own specifications if you prefer.

Most often, the first choice to make will be picking your preferred metal. Many choices are available. Gold comes in an amazing variety of gold colors and textures such as, white, rose, brushed, hammered and more. Also platinum has surged in popularity in spite of its expense because with diamonds, for instance, it reflects off the gems enhancing the beauty of your creation.

Having the design firmly in your mind, the next step would be the decision of picking the appropriate gems to fit your setting some of which you will find will require certain sizes. Others can be manipulated to the size you need. Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, tanzanites are all used due to the MOHS scale of hardness which reassures the buyer that they will not break. If you need accents pieces, most jewelers can put together an array which would make your ring innovative and striking or soft and romantic.

It’s all up to you. Diamond ring mountings and the enormous varieties to choose from are waiting for you to discover them.

If you work with an on-line designer and choose to have him create your vision for you, please beware. You must make sure that a Certificate of Authenticity accompanies the finished product to ensure that the quality of the stones are as expected. It would be a good idea to have a second jeweler appraised it once you have received your purchase.

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Most often it is the classy, stylish woman of today is who is drawn to this unique and unusual design. Today’s woman likes to do her homework. A little of its history might be in order. Looking for a new, innovative design, the master craftsman, Friedrich Becker of Germany, struggled with a design that would eliminate the numerous prongs necessary to protect an expensive diamond while still ensuring the protection and security of the stone.

Struggling with how to make sure the stone would not be easily lost, he also wanted to find a setting that would lift it up and unencumbered, much like the Tiffany setting that has been so popular. Tiffany still relies on the use of prongs for safety. He wanted to make something that would surpass it in popularity because of the cleanliness of its design.

Becker created a thick metal band that attached itself to the diamond at only two points which were the ends of the band itself. At that point, with safety grooves applied to the stone, pressure was then applied with a hardened spring. It took from 65 to 95pounds of pressure to safely achieve his ideal.

However, tension engagement rings are expensive. Most are one-of-a-kind because the gem and the pressure go hand in hand. Therefore, all rings come with the diamond picked at the manufacturer. Loose stones would be incredibly costly to work with. They are also often out of the range of most people’s budgets, because the use of the thick band of platinum is the preferred choice of metal by manufacturers due to its strength.

Some designers chose to maintain the basic tension style, but they changed how it was set into the ring. They cut tiny grooves in the back and ran a tiny band around the back to hold it firmly in place because the popular perception was that the stone would be lost. In truth, properly done, the setting should hold for as much as a hundred years. But, the link allowed for a reduction in the amount of platinum used which reduced the cost.

The sheer loveliness of this creation is the fact that it does allow the diamond, which is the gem of choice due to its hardness, to sit virtually alone. Also called a floating diamond, you can achieve an increase of up to two color grades, thus reducing the cost. However, you cannot easily resize it due to the pressure applied. You cannot cut into the shank as is done with normal styles.

Pros and cons considered, it is very difficult to walk away from the sensual, alluring appeal of tension engagement rings.

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Most recently the oh, so romantic, highly publicized engagement in England of the charming Prince William to Kate Middleton, these designs are flying from the inventories of jubilant jewelers all over the world. Presenting her with a half a million dollar ring that had been worn for years by his mother, Princess Diana, the enchanted public felt the joy of their young spirits. Stating that it was his way of making sure his mother attended the wedding, he warmed hearts all over.

We became spellbound with the lovely romance, and the ring became highly significant just as it was when Prince Charles first presented it to his lovely, young wife. With a large six carat, $300,000 oval sapphire as the center stone, it is surrounded by diamonds and is a glorious sight to see. Who wouldn’t think of buying from among the sapphire and diamond rings on the market?

But, perhaps you want to be different and design your own. Learning about the various settings and gems from which to pick would be an excellent idea before you venture out. Never forget to have that inflexible budget in mind. It would be hard not to get carried away unless you have firm control on what you can and cannot afford.

Take the time to learn about the differences in both gems. You need to know the qualities that would make either a good choice. Of course you have the four “C’s”, but the to the two stones that does not have the same meaning. What do I mean? You not only need to understand the cut, clarity, color and carat of the clear, brilliant gem, but you also need to learn about the differences in the mines from which they and their fellow blue stones come.

What is the best color blue? It is universally understood that the cornflower blue is the best color. It is a shade often associated with the color of Princess Diana’s eyes. It is a light, gentle blue that allows more light to enter the gem that most. The mines in of the Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar mines produce the majority. However, the Montana mines in the U.S. is now producing stunning stones and is competing very well in price and quality.

These designs are often set with white gold or platinum because the metal reflects the light back through the beautiful creations. Whether your choice is an eternity band with alternating colors, or the unforgettable half million dollar ring discussed here, there is one thing you can be sure of. You will have style and elegance in your life. Rest assured, your determination to select your very own engagement ring from the sapphire and diamond possibilities available, is to be applauded.

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The exchange of wedding rings is symbolic in the union of a man and a woman in marriage. However, one has to be practical in the selection of rings.

Metals

If you are opting for an affordable wedding ring, you might want to consider silver as the metal band for your ring. It is more affordable than gold, white gold, or platinum and yet will not fade easily. With this you can make a statement, because of the color of the metal which is not common among wedding rings.

Width

Thinner metal bands will make the ring less expensive. This will also be dependent on the lifestyle you both lead as a couple. You would definitely want to wear something both of you will be comfortable with right? Having to wear something thin may work for both of you as a twosome.

Design

A simple design will definitely influence the cost of the ring. Depending on your personal preference and budget, you can select a design that is elegant and simple without having to spend a fortune.

Stone

You may also decide on semi-precious stones instead of real gemstones to reduce costs.

Bundling

To save on further costs, you may purchase the engagement ring and the wedding bands as a set. You may buy during the summer wherein many jewelry stores have specials on sets during this season.

You may do some serious canvass over the internet. Be sure to read on exchange or return policies as to avoid possible problems in the future. You may also shop at antique dealerships and estate sales as optional purchase places.

Now that you have gathered adequate information regarding affordable wedding rings, you may plan more the details of your wedding without having to worry about spending more than you can afford.

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Couples often spend quite a bit of money on their engagement and wedding rings. This money spent should be protected. Many couples cannot afford to replace wedding or engagement rings if they are lost or stolen. ring insurance protects them and ensures that the couple will be able to replace them if necessary.

Just like many other investments, rings face a great deal of risk. They can easily be lost, stolen, damaged, or broken. Stones, often the most element of the ring, can easily become loosened and lost. ring insurance protects the policy holder from these many threats and more.

Many couples would never consider leaving their home or car uninsured. It is foolish to leave it uninsured. Policy pricing for engagement ring insurance is generally determined using the replacement price or value of the ring. This makes engagement ring insurance an affordable option for any ring. The more expensive the ring, the more the policy will cost. Most policies will offer a cash payout or ring replacement should anything happen to the ring.

Before selecting a policy the terms and conditions of the policy should be carefully examined. Since most insurance policies aim to protect an investment, it is important to see that the coverage obtained will suit desired needs. Good insurance policies generally cover replacement of the ring in case of loss or theft, repair and replacement of stones, maintenance, cleaning, and general ring care. Also consider the various provisions within the policy to insure that they are understood. Each policy will vary on its payout conditions. Some policies require partial payment toward replacement before actual replacement of the ring is possible.

When carefully considered, engagement rings are priceless. In addition to their actual physical value, they often carry many sentimental and important memories. This investment must be covered by insurance in order to be fully protected. Failure to insure and protect an engagement ring can result in huge financial losses if anything should happen to the ring.

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Specifically, the emerald cut diamond takes the rectangular shape with slightly cut corners. Initially, the emerald cut was made for use on emeralds, but its classy look immediately led it to be a popular choice for diamonds as well. The long lines of the rectangular shape gives it less overall brilliance than popular round shapes, but the flashes of color in emerald cut engagement rings will be more obvious as they are reflected in the shiny stone.

Some people are confused with the Emerald Cut, Asscher, or the Princess. To make it clearer, these cuts all look similar, but knowledgeable consumers can easily spot the differences. Emerald cuts are long rectangles with only slightly cropped corners. Asscher cuts are squares with deeply trimmed corners while Princess cuts are squares without any trimming.

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There are several designs of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings. Because of the elongated shape of an emerald cut diamond, they are often matched with accent stones, particularly tapered baguettes and other emerald cuts. An emerald cut solitaire can be an attractive ring, however, particularly for a woman with thin, long fingers will serve to lengthen the stone even more. Women with very short, thick fingers, however, may appear out of proportion with a rectangular stone. Emerald cut engagement rings are as adaptable as round shapes, and they can be found in any number of designs, including bridal sets, unique styles, and contemporary rings. The most common setting is a classic four-prong arrangement that gives steadiness to the stone while protecting the delicate edges, but more unusual settings can also be found. The most unusual style of all is to find a stone set lengthwise along the band rather than perpendicular to it.

The key to a beautiful emerald cut diamond engagement ring is choosing a quality stone. Because the cut is very open, color differences and imperfections will be easily visible. Also, the precision of the cut is important for a nicely balanced, well-proportioned look. Ideally, the length-to-width ratio should range from 1.3:1 to no more than 1.75:1 for a classic emerald cut, but many people choose wider or narrower stones based on their personal preferences. To completely examine an emerald cut stone, consider viewing loose diamonds rather than finished rings. This allows consumers to examine all sides of the gem for imperfections. If this is not possible, however, be sure to ask to use the jeweler’s loupe in order to get a good look at the ring before purchasing it. You must also be particular about quality. Remember that it is better to go for higher quality Emeralds, because both inclusions and lower color are more noticeable in Emeralds than in other cuts.

In Buying Emerald Cut Engagement Rings, Most jewelers carry a selection of emerald cut rings on hand, and others will custom make or create more designs on demand. Because of the simplicity of the cut, it is generally more affordable than round cuts of similar quality, making it a nicely affordable choice for people on a budget.

Because of the stone’s lengthened shape, it may also look to be a higher carat weight than other shapes, letting the couple focus their energies on the ring’s design and details rather than the middle stone.

Author of this article is an a expert on the issue of Diamonds and their shapes. He has written several articles on Emerald cut engagement rings, Diamond Cut Engagement Rings. He also runs a website called http://www.diamondsonweb.com

The baguette stones that line the ring can be of any shape but are usually elongated rectangles that run down the sides of the rings. When an engagement ring is presented and baguette diamonds are present, the presenter can boast of more carats which at times can be impressive. This is lower in cost than one big diamond.

This stone cut first became popular in the early 20th century with the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements. The geometric design of the stones gave its straight clean cut a symmetric appearance that was very fashionable. Most of the stones that are set in the baguette engagement rings are less than one carat in weight. Because of this small size most are characterized by size instead of weight. The most popular size has a length to width ratio of 1.5 to 1.0.

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The baguette cut is considered a step size cut. This cut only has 14 facets on it. Because of the fewer facets, the quality and clarity of the diamond should be good or it will be noticeable.

Baguette engagement rings can be less expensive than other cuts available but it is more common to use this cut in the rings band itself to accent another type of cut for the center piece.

What is a princess cut?

This cut is a beautiful shape of diamond that makes a bold statement. It is rectangular or square in shape, which offers a sharp contrast in appearance from other styles. Most princess cuts are square. This cut is a popular choice for Solitaire engagement rings, which rely on a single diamond to make a statement rather than the use of accentuating stones. This looks best on women with longer fingers. It is also a favorite choice because of its brilliant, sharp look. It is sometimes called a squarillion or quadrillion cut because of its four-sided shape.

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What makes it different than other cuts?

This cut is relatively new. Invented in the 1960s, and it is becoming more popular among those looking for a bright, unique, customizable ring design. In a round cut, the diamond’s corners are cut off and rounded to create the common shape of diamond found in many rings today. This cut retains these sides for a distinct, classy look.

Why is princess cut a good choice for an engagement ring?

This cut offers a sophisticated, classy look that fits perfectly on the hand of a woman with long fingers. Princess cut diamond rings are only made possible from high quality diamonds, offering a level of status and style that is unique. While not always the case, this cut often cost a little less per karat than round cut ones. This occurs because diamond cutters can often produce two cut diamonds from the same stone, while that same stone could only provide one round cut of similar weight. Since less of the stone is wasted, the cut is less expensive.

How do you get the best value for your money?

Shopping for a princess cut diamond engagement ring can be tricky. With so many options available, at so many locations, it’s hard to know how to find a beautiful one that tells the woman you love exactly what’s in your heart. Complicating things is the need to fit such a purchase within your budget. Instead of visiting the nearest jewelry store and paying more money than you ought to, consider shopping for your diamond engagement ring at a penny auction site online. Penny auction sites often provide amazing deals on breathtaking princess cut engagement rings at as much as 99% off the price you’ll find anywhere else.

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The most common hues include colors of blue, yellow, red, and green. This effect is not commonly found in other gemstones, and it makes this stone an ideal stone for a unique engagement, without breaking one’s budget. Natural deposits of topaz can be found all over the world, from the United States to Japan. However, the processes by which the metal is applied to topaz are strictly guarded by copyright patents, which restricts the amount of mystic topaz available for purchase in the United States.

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous jewelers who will apply different types of metal to less valuable gemstones, most commonly quartz, and attempt to pass it off as authentic mystic topaz. In order to prevent this deception from occurring, an individual should only purchase their mystic topaz engagement ring from a reputable dealer.

A couple will encounter better chances of finding a wider selection of mystic topaz rings from national jewelry store chains rather than from independent dealers, due to the stone’s rarity. In spite of its rare quality, this type of engagement ring remains fairly inexpensive. Due to the fact that it must undergo treatment processes to achieve its brilliant color, it is not considered to be as valuable as untreated topaz rings. Because of the low prices the stone demands, it is most commonly found in more common metals, such as silver. However, if a person purchases the stone as a loose stone, it can be incorporated into any type of band that he or she desires.

 An additional bonus to using this type of stone is that it is rather resistant to being scratched or damaged, due to the treated nature of the topaz. The brilliance of this increasingly popular gemstone makes it an ideal stone for an engagement ring for the woman whose personality is brilliant and unique as well.

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The size of the ruby also determines its monetary value, and a ruby is measured in terms of carat size, similarly to a diamond. The larger the carat size of a ruby, the more rare and valuable it is considered to be. Unlike diamonds; however, rubies are generally free of inclusions that could detract from a diamond’s value. An offshoot of this general rule is the star ruby. The star ruby features a large inclusion in the center of the ruby. The more visible and perfectly centered the inclusion is, the more valuable the ruby is.

When rubies are featured in rings, they are available in the same cuts as diamonds. However, they are most commonly featured in cushion and oval cuts. Emerald and heart shapes are also popular. Rubies that featured in rings commonly undergo heat treating processes. This type of treatment does not harm the ruby or detract from its value, rather it is used to enhance the brilliance of the ruby’s natural color. Synthetic rubies are also becoming increasingly popular in the use of rings and other jewelry.

A synthetic ruby, although similar to an authentic ruby in appearance, is actually just heat treated, colored glass. Rubies, in rings, are most commonly featured in settings of silver or platinum. However, the use of rubies set into a titanium setting is becoming more popular. An individual or couple may have their ruby mounted into a setting that is constructed from any type of material they prefer.

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Because it  is typically much more affordable than diamonds, it allows money to be diverted to the creation of unique bands constructed from precious metals, like platinum, titanium, or white gold. An aquamarine ring may also be given as a promise ring to one’s intended. The delicate and airy nature of this gemstone makes it the perfect complement for a woman who has small hands. Colored gemstone engagement rings are continuing to increase in popularity, and the aquamarine can be a stunning alternative to the traditional engagement ring.

The aquamarine gemstone occurs naturally in nature, and it is derived from the beryl family of stones. Its name is a combination of the Latin words for sea and blue. When a person is shopping for an aquamarine stone, the color of the stone is one of the most important aspects to consider. Because amounts of iron in the stone are responsible for its coloring, an aquamarine stone can actually range from pale green to an almost navy blue color. However, the more intense the color is, the more valuable the stone is considered to be. Additionally, aquamarine stones are almost always flawless in their appearance.

Because of the naturally light hue of the stone, imperfections are rather easy to spot. In most instances, very small inclusions will not detract from the stone’s value. Furthermore, the stone can mimic any commercially available cut of diamond. Different cuts of aquamarine can reflect natural light from the stone in a variety of attractive manners. The most common cuts for aquamarine include emerald, oval, and round cuts.

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This yellow gemstone  may be complemented by the use of diamonds or other gemstones in the setting. The cuts of these rings most often follow European or Asscher styles; however, there are available in the same variety of cuts that diamonds are. The mysterious aura that yellow sapphires give off made them a popular option for jewelry during the seventeenth century. They experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Art Deco period of the early 1900’s, where they were most often featured in bands of platinum with diamond stone accents.

The yellow gem does naturally occur in nature. However, the same processes that are used to treat other artificially colored gemstones are applied to the yellow sapphire in most cases. A naturally occurring yellow sapphire is heated to an extreme temperature. Then, it is allowed to cool under carefully controlled conditions. The heat treatment allows draws out the yellow elements in the sapphire’s color. This process allows the color to appear bolder and more stronger to the human eye. The heating process also is adept at masking any imperfections or inflections in the stone’s cut.

While deep and brilliant hues of yellow due occur naturally in nature, these stones are rare. When they are available, they tend to command rather high prices. Because of the heat treatment that is applied to most yellow sapphires, the stone is not considered as valuable. However, as the old adage states, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. A woman will love her yellow sapphire engagement ring for its beauty, and the meaning behind it, rather than for its price tag.

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In Greco Roman times, the stone symbolized the protection of an individual against addictions. In other cultures, it was considered to be a symbol of purity or spirituality. In Asian cultures, the stone is considered to have many healing physical characteristics. It is also the birth stone for the month of February.

Amethyst engagement rings were highly popular during the Victorian period in England. Their popularity experienced resurgence in the United States in the 1920’s during the Art Deco movement. In more recent times, it is commonly featured as the center stone in an engagement ring or promise ring. It may be encircled or complemented by the use of diamonds or other gemstones. The most common cuts for this type of stone include ovals and heart shapes; however, an amethyst engagement ring may be cut in the same forms that a diamond is available in. Although the popularity of this stone in engagement rings has increased within the last decade, many retailers offer a limited selection of amethyst jewelry. In order to ensure that a couple obtains what they are looking for, they may wish to purchase a loose stone and have it cut and placed in a setting of their choosing.

The expense of an amethyst rings will be based upon the size of the gemstone, the setting it is placed in, and other gemstones that are used in its design. Although the engagement ring will be more expensive if it is custom ordered, the cost of this type of ring generally does not exceed $1,000.00. An amethyst engagement ring is an affordable and durable investment for a couple who is looking for an alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring. Its symbolism and vibrant coloring may be the perfect alternative for a couple that is looking for something slightly out of the ordinary.

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Tsavorite is a very modern gemstone, and it has two things in common with tanzanite: it too was found for the first time in East Africa in 1967, and was marketed by the Tiffany jewellery company of New York. Unlike tanzanite, tsavorite is a stunning green in colour, and is a member of the garnet family of gemstones, whereas tanzanite is blue and belongs to the zoisite family.

Why Tsavorite? The name is derived from the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, near the Tanzanian border, and the Tsavo River which flows through it. The gemstone was actually first found in Tanzania, but exploitation was not possible at that time. In 1971 it was found again, this time in Kenya, and mining could begin.

Tsavorite is prized by gemologists for its brilliant green colour, and its lack of inclusions. It has a similar hardness to emerald, being about 7.5 on the Mohs scale, and greater brilliance. It is a lot less expensive than emerald, but this is due largely to the greater rarity of emerald, and the lore of it’s long history. Indeed, tsavorite is a brilliant natural-green gemstone which has no need of enhancement as is the case with many other gemstones.

Tsavorite’s robustness makes it particularly hard-wearing when set in jewellery, and along with demantoid it is one of the most sought-after members of the garnet family. Sapphires and rubies may be harder then tsavorite according to the Mohs scale, but tsavorite, like all garnets, is extremely resistant to cracking, and in terms of a lack of inclusions is one of the most stable of gemstones. Like all garnets, it has a very high refractive index, and its sparkle surpasses the majority of gemstones, with the obvious exception of diamonds.

Unlike its geographical neighbour tanzanite, which often yields crystals in excess of five carats, tsavorite crystals tend to be smaller, and hence any tsavorite above two carats is likely to command a premium price. But whereas tanzanite is prized more for its colour than its brilliance, tsavorite has both beautiful colour and exceptional brilliance, and therefore is more desirable in the smaller sizes yielded by the rough tsavorite crystals.

Taking into consideration all of tsavorite’s qualities, such as its beautiful green colour, exceptional brilliance, excellent wearing qualities and relatively reasonable price, it is little wonder that it has become one of the most popular gemstones available today.

Tourmaline is known the world over as one of the most colorful gemstones available. Tourmaline jewelry is found in a number of colors depending on where the gemstone is mined. Also, it is very popular because of its hardness rating. The clarity of Tourmaline also makes this gemstone a big seller. Because of these reasons, Tourmaline has become a very popular gemstone in recent years.

The price of Tourmaline gemstones can vary just about as much as the gemstone itself. Like most gemstones, the price depends mainly on the rarity of the color. The rarer the color the higher the price one can expect to pay. Here again, the price swing can be vary greatly. Some Tourmaline can fetch astronomical prices, while others can be nearly worthless.

The Tourmaline that is the cheapest is black tourmaline. It is relatively common and easy to obtain; however, it is still a beautiful gemstone that makes wonderful jewelry. Other varieties of tourmaline that are quite inexpensive include orange, brown, and yellow. Like the black, these still are beautiful gemstones that make excellent pieces of jewelry. These colors can be considered a great buy since you are still getting a beautiful stone with a great hardness factor.

The mid-priced tourmaline includes watermelon and pink. Pink tourmaline is very popular jewelry and can be found in a number of different settings. Also, watermelon tourmaline which contains traces of green and red is one of the most popular tourmaline gemstones for jewelry. Watermelon tourmaline is a fantastic stone that looks great in all pieces of jewelry, from necklaces to earrings. In addition, there are many other varieties of tourmaline that contain several different hues. These multicolored gemstones are also very popular. Basically, the more complex the colors the higher the value.

The most expensive gemstones of the tourmaline family include the Paraiba and the chrome. Paraiba was discovered quite recently in Brazil. This gemstone is influenced by manganese and copper. These influences give the gemstone a greenish blue tint. The chrome tourmaline is found in Tanzania and is a very dark green.

So, as you can see there are many different types of tourmaline gemstones to choose from. No matter your price range there is sure to be one to fit your taste. Tourmaline has become one of the most popular gemstones in jewelry today. The sheer variety of this stone should guarantee its popularity well into the future.

Pink tourmaline is a fantastic gemstone that is vary versatile. Information on pink tourmaline jewelry can be found at this link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Rather

In the 1980′s, Princess Diana sparked a massive trend for sapphire engagement rings after Prince Charles went down on bended knee and proposed to her with a sapphire ring. However, their popularity gradually waned and the diamond solitaires retained their position. During this recent credit crunch period though as budgets have become tighter, couples have strived to find other options and diamond and sapphire white gold rings have provided an answer. This is such an important, once-in-a-lifetime purchase that even if a prospective buyer has to tighten their purse strings, they still want a gorgeous ring that captures the romance and majesty of the moment.

Fortunately, white gold sapphire and diamond rings can offer it all. With the sapphire’s undeniable beauty and as the most durable gemstone after the diamond, this gemstone provides fantastic value for money. Not only do they create rings that look spectacular but that will withstand a lifetime of wear. While white gold offers the splendour of platinum but costs less.

One of the other main factors for their burgeoning popularity has to do with women becoming increasingly more involved in the selection process. It is now more common these days for women to choose the ring for herself and a sapphire diamond ring may more accurately reflect her personality and style then a simple solitaire. As it is a ring that will be worn continually it is essential that it truly reflects who she is and is a ring she can be proud of for life.

Amethyst: Introduction

The Amethyst color is unique as it is seductive. Its transparent, coarse grained, purple color makes it suitable for most jewelry. The Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The amethyst is part of the Quartz family. Though a gemstone must be purple quartz in order for it to be an amethyst, it comes in a wide range of purple shades and colors. It ranges from light lilac or lavender to a deep, rich, dark purple and violet. In the Mohs scale it rates a 7, which makes it hard enough to be suitably made for jewelry. At a point in time it was revered as a precious stone, today its abundance has made it inexpensive and commonplace but it still revered as a beautiful and powerful gemstone.

Amethyst: History and Mythology

The name Amethyst comes for the Greek words meaning a for “not” and methustos for “drunken” (not drunken). This was reference that the Greeks believe that the stone was an antidote against drunkenness. Wine goblets were carved out of the stones and the it still symbolizes sobriety until this day. The story behind this is that the Greek god Dionysus (god of intoxication) was angered one day by an insult of a mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that he encounters. Dionysus came across the mortal Amethyst, a beautiful maiden who worshipped the goddess Diana. Dionysus created tigers to attack the maiden but Diana turned the maiden into pure crystalline quartz to protect her. At the sight of the crystal, Dionysus cried tears of wine which gave the crystal a purple color and creating the amethyst.

Purple is the color of royalty and amethyst has been used to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Fine amethysts were featured in the British Crown Jewels and were also a favorite stone of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. Amethyst is mentioned in the Bible as one of the 12 stones adorning the breastplate of the high priests of Yahweh. Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, it was an important ornament of Catholic and other churches of the Middle Ages. It was considered to be the stone of bishops, who still often wear amethyst rings. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it.

Amethyst: How are they formed?

Amethysts are formed in silica-rich liquids deposited in gas cavity geodes in lava that occur in crystalline masses. These cavities are formed in the earth’s crust by gas bubbling in circular cavities or filling of veins. When conditions permit, it forms hexagonal crystals that are usually grown from a base. These crystals are most often not well developed, and so are generally found as clusters of crystal points and are called Amethyst druze. Although most commonly found in geodes, Amethyst is sometimes found as a stalactite.

Amethyst: What is made of?

Amethyst is of the Quartz family, which is in the Silicates group where silicon and oxygen (SiO2) form tetrahedral silica that combines with various metals or semi-metals. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster.

Amethyst: Color

The color of amethyst can come in any shade of purple from light to dark. A paler, lavender shade of purple called “rose de france” was popular and valuable a few decades ago. The most prized color grade however is the “Siberian”, which derives in several locations in Siberia, notably Uruguay and Zambia. The Siberian contain hues of mostly purple, blue and some secondary hues or red. In amethyst, color often occurs in bands or waves. This is very characteristic and can be used to identify amethyst out of other purple stones. In the 20th century, the color of amethyst was thought to be attributed from the presence of the chemical element manganese. But since the color can be altered by the presence of heat, the color was believed to be organic from Ferric thiocyanate and sulfur which is detected from the material. Further study has proved that iron and aluminum is responsible for the color.

As stated in previous paragraph, when heated the amethyst can fade and lose some of its color. It is best to keep these stones away from extended exposure from the heat and sun. If heated intensely the color can lose its color completely and change to a yellow color thus making it a Citrine. Since amethyst is more widespread, this is how commercial Citrine is created. When Citrine and Amethyst are grown together naturally and in the same crystal they create alternating bands of yellow and purple creating what is called Amertine.

Amethyst: Synthetic

As I stated previously, amethyst is so widespread and abundant, that it makes it very inexpensive and cheap. What makes it worse is that technology has advanced so far to make synthetic amethyst that it even imitates even the highest quality amethyst and makes it hard to distinguish between them. Manufacturers of synthetic amethyst have even learned how duplicate the natural growing process, also correcting twinning of the axes, making the growth pattern more identical to natural and making detection even more difficult. Laboratories can test each stone to detect synthetic amethyst but the process of testing is even more expensive than what the stone is worth.

Introduction

To continue our feature on gemstones, we will now discuss one of the most fascinating of gemstones – the emerald. It exudes a greenish color that makes it beautiful and intense. In some cases, fine emeralds are even more valuable than some diamonds. If you are fortunate enough to possess an emerald that can fit the palm of your hand, it could be valued well at over a million dollars, of course depending on its color and quality. Emeralds are in the beryl crystal family. They are formed from a combination of the common elements aluminium and silicon with the rare element beryllium. Small amounts of trace elements, either chromium or vanadium, gives its distinctive green tint.

History

The word emerald derives its name from the Old French word “esmerlde” or the Greek word “smaragdos”, both plain and simply meaning green stone. It is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus, Cancer, and Gemini. The first known discovery of emeralds was made near the Red Sea of Egypt, some 440 miles southeast of Cairo. Between 3000 – 1500 B.C., these mines, later to be known as the Cleopatra mines, were exploited by Egyptian pharaohs. Working long hours under the blistering heat of the Sun, and the darkness, heat and dust of the underground mines must have been a real ordeal for those ancient laborers. These mines were rediscovered during the 19th century but were found to have already been exhausted. One of the largest and most famous emeralds is the “Mogul Emerald”. It was discovered in 1695 during the Mogul Dynasty, and weighed about 217.8 carats. This emerald was auctioned off in the Christie’s London auction for close to $2.3 million dollars. Another famous emerald which is displayed in the New York National Museums is the “Patricia” and is stated to weigh 632 carats. This emerald belonged to Mughal Indian Emperor Jehangir.

The 4C’s of Emerald

Similar to the diamond, you must consider the 4 C’s of the emerald: color, cut, clarity, and carat. Unlike diamonds that are primary characteristic is the clarity and brilliance, emeralds are more primarily concerned with color.

Color

As stated, the color of the emerald is the most important of all characteristics when considering emeralds. This is created from small amounts of chromium and vanadium. There are 4 distinct colors of an emerald. See below for details: Too Dark: This color of emerald comes in a very dark green color. These emeralds are inexpensive and the least valuable of all emeralds. Too Blue: These types emeralds are not considered ‘real emeralds’ due to the lack of green and pale color. Too Yellow: These emeralds have a tint of yellow and might come close to the true emerald green. Emerald Green: This color green has the perfect amount combination of blue and yellow hue. This color emerald is the most valuable of all emeralds.

Clarity

As stated before unlike the diamond the emerald is no so dependent on its clarity. Inclusions are so common in the emerald that it does not affect its beauty. Natural inclusions which are also called “garden inclusions” are what give emeralds the natural emerald green color. Since emeralds are so highly included, a high percentage of rough emeralds must be cut in order to create a gemstone. Also, unlike the diamond, you do not need a loupe to grade its clarity. Emerald can be graded by sight and if it has no inclusions, it is stated that the emerald is flawless.

Cut

A well cut emerald will gives the emerald a greater sparkle and glow to its greatest ability. The cut is not as important to the emerald, since as stated before the color is what makes the emerald more valuable. The shape, width and depth of the emerald make up the cut.

The ideal cut emerald will be symmetrical and have uniform facets that provide for maximum color and brilliance. If the cut is too shallow, light will be lost at the bottom of the stone and the emerald will not have maximum brilliance. If the cut is too deep, the light will escape out of the sides and the emerald will appear dark.

Remember, because emeralds are expensive and sold by weight, the cutter is pre-disposed to try to save as much weight as possible. Also, the shape of the rough will most likely pre-determine the final shape of the cut emerald. Round emeralds are least common because you must waste more material to cut a round and the rectangular step cut known as the “emerald” cut is generally thought to compliment the end result for emeralds.

Carat

For emeralds the carat size and weight is the least determining factor when finding the value of an emerald. Just because a certain emerald is large does not mean it is expensive and just because the emerald is small does not make the emerald least expensive. Of course a 10 carat emerald would be valued more than a 2 carat emerald, if assuming they both had the same quality (color, cut, and clarity). Thus, the color, cut and clarity are characteristics that are taken more into consideration prior than carat weight.

Enhancement

For the last hundred years gemstone enthusiasts have discovered and pioneered techniques to enhance gemstones. This process is known as oil treatment process. This was done to cover the presence of fissures, flaws, and impurities. This process requires the emerald to be cleaned, usually washed out by acid and afterwards treated with cedar oil or any other synthetic oil and polymers. The US Federal Trade Commission requires the disclosure of treated emeralds when sold. This use of oil is well accepted in the gem trade but practices such as using green tinted oil is not acceptable.

Emeralds treated with oil may be prone to cracking and breaking after a couple of years. This is due to the oil wearing off making the emerald more brittle. Local jewelers are well informed in a retreatment process required to keep the emerald intact.

Synthetic Emeralds

Since emeralds are such a high value and rare gemstones, there has been much incentive by people to develop synthetic gemstones. There are two ways create synthetic emeralds, these are flux growth and hydrothermal processes. Flux growth is a process that synthesizes compounds with high melting points by using a flux and speed up the natural crystallization process at lower pressure and temperature. The hydrothermal process is a process of synthesis of single crystals using hot water under high pressure.

It is hard to differentiate between real emeralds and synthetic ones. Normal thermal and electronic gem testers would not be able to distinguish between these. One way to distinguish this is by using the Chelsea color filter.

Chelsea Filter

Other than using the Chelsea Dichromatic Filter there are significant differences that gemologists can distinguish between synthetic and real emerald. These differences are:

- Specific gravity of synthetic emerald is 2.66 and natural emerald is 2.70-2.78.
- Refractive Index of synthetic emerald is 1.565 and for natural emerald is 1.576-1.582
- Synthetic Emeralds shines off in a reddish color in ultraviolet light, which you do not get in a natural emerald.
- Natural Emeralds gives off a natural green light, which is due to impurities. This shine cannot be done by synthetic emeralds.

The topaz, also known as the November and the gemstone for 4th, 19th, and 23rd years of marriage, comes in a wide range of colors but usually is yellow and can also be colorless. The topaz is also the state gemstone for United States state of Utah. The topaz derives its name from the Sanskrit word tapas meaning “fire” or the Greek word topazios meaning “to seek”. On the Mohs scale, the topaz rates an 8. Only diamonds and corundum are harder than Topaz.

Color: Colorless, yellow, orange, red, red-brown, light to dark blue, pink-red, violet, light green
Color of Streak: White
Moh’s hardness: 8
Density or Specific Gravity: 3.49-3.57
Cleavage: Perfect
Chemical composition: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
Refractive Index: 1.609-1.643
Reflective Index: 29-32
Dispersion: 0.0014(0.008)
Transparency: transparent to translucent

Topaz: History
The exact discovery of the name of topaz was never really verified. As stated in the introduction it either came from the Greek or Sanskrit. The Greek philosopher, Pliny derived the name topazios after the island of Topazos (now known as the Island of St John), which is a small island off the Red Sea, where it is first stated that he discovery of topaz was made. Historians believe that the topaz discovered at the island was not in fact topaz but the gemstone, peridot.

The topaz has been known for its metaphysical properties. The Indians believe that the topaz can be used as a talisman for health, caution, sagacity, and prevention of death. The Egyptians believe that the yellow topaz was filled with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. They also used these stones as a talisman against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who is also the god of the sun, wore topaz as a talisman from diseases, also to protect its wearer against perils and dangers in travelling, injuries from burns and scalds, and to avert pain of the chest and bowels. Topaz was one of the stones in the ‘Breastplate of Judgment’ of Aaron, who was the brother of Moses and leader of an old Israeli tribe, described in the bible (Exodus: xxviii, 15-30). Historically, topaz has been thought to give long life, good looks and intelligence. It is also thought to given protection from poison, disease and sorcery. In 1740, the “Braganza” diamond (1,640 carats) was found in Ouro Preto, Brazil. It was set in the Portuguese crown, and was thought to be the largest diamond ever found. The fact that it was a diamond was never confirmed, and it is now believed to have been a colorless topaz.

Topaz: How is it formed?
Topaz is formed from gas and volatiles trapped in freezing granite. When found topaz crystals are isolated in pockets and are often very large. This mostly occurs in cavities in lava and gigantic rocks. Topaz is formed inside igneous rocks such as pegmatites and alluvial deposits. This can be found in fluorite and cassiterite areas such as the mountains of Russia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Pakistan, Italy, etc.

Compared to other minerals, topaz is relatively resistant to weathering and stream abrasion. These characteristics enable it to be found in the stream sediments derived from the weathering of topaz-bearing rocks. It is sometimes produced by placer mining.

Topaz: Color
Most topaz that is colorless is white topaz. The next most plentiful color is blue and green. The stones that are most seen in jewelry are yellow, brown or pink. The most sought after color of topaz was known as the “imperial topaz”. These colors included pink and red.

Blue topaz is a very popular gemstone and is rarely formed in nature. Most of the blue topaz on the market is treated. Unfortunately there is no way yet to determine which stones have been treated and which are natural. Although blue topaz has not been manufactured synthetically on a commercial scale, a completely natural looking blue coloration has been produced in colorless topaz by means of irradiation with gamma rays. This practice is regarded as legitimate in the trade, and is becoming increasingly widespread. It is one of the reasons for the present abundance of blue topaz in the trade.

Topaz: Treatment and Synthetic
As stated, blue topaz is a very popular gemstone but since it is very rarely found many treatments have been used. This is the reason of the decline in recent years of blue topaz. The following are ways people have treated or enhanced the quality of topaz.

Heat: This is a common method used in most gemstones. Topaz has been heat treated to improve color for decades, maybe even centuries. This method has been used mostly to create blue, pink and red topaz, which are the most popular.

Irradiation: Irradiating topaz was a technique that was established many years ago to produce blue topaz. Nearly all of the blue topaz on the market today has been irradiated in this way. In Europe this treatment is controversial and on its way to being banned because of the possible residual radioactivity of the gemstones.

Diffusion: Another method of improving the color of topaz involved coating the colorless topaz with a specific chemical and then heating it at very high temperatures. Only the surface layer of the gemstone is affected while the center remains colorless (you would not be able to tell unless you cut it in half). This is a relatively durable treatment.

Coating: Some topaz gemstones are treated with an extremely thin film of mineral or metallic materials and then placed in a vacuum. This process creates topaz that is a wide variety of iridescent, eye catching colors. They are called “Mystic Topaz”, and new terms are coined every week.

Synthetics: Synthetic topaz is not very prevalent on the market because natural topaz is so available. In fact, synthetic topaz can be found at the same price if not more expensive than natural topaz. Most jewelers will specify whether it is synthetic.

Imitation: Topaz is imitated by quartz (citrine) and glass. It can be distinguished from these by a scratch test, since topaz is harder than both of these materials. If you rub a piece of quartz against a topaz, the quartz will scratch but the topaz will not.

Opal: Introduction

Also known as the October Birthstone and the 14th and 18th anniversary stone, the opal is one of nature’s greatest splendors. The colors can vary in any color of the rainbow. The most striking quality of opal is its ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The interplay of different wavelengths of light gives opal its unique visual appeal, and makes it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. It is definitely one of the world’s most beautiful and precious gemstone. The word opal derives from various languages: in Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone”, in Latin, the opalus and Greek opallios, both meaning “to see color change”.

Opal: History

The earliest known opal artifacts was discovered back from 4000 BC in Ethiopia. These artifacts were discovered later in a cave in Kenya by famous archeologist, Louis Leakey. Opal was stated to have magical qualities and also to aid its wearer in seeing unlimited possibilities. It was also thought to loosen inhibitions and promote impulsiveness. Opal has been said in medieval times to be a cure for diseases of the eye. Opal is also stated to be cure for blood disorders, depression, apathy, helpful with reproductive organs, filter red and white corpuscles, and brain disorders.

Opals: How are they formed?

Opal is formed from silica-bearing waters and can be found inside any type of rock. Opal is formed from a solution of silicon dioxide and water (SiO2 + nH2O). As water runs down through the earth, it picks up silica from sandstone, and carries this silica-rich solution into cracks and voids, caused by natural faults or decomposing fossils. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a silica deposit. This cycle repeats over very long periods of time, and eventually opal is formed. Though the water evaporates, the opal gemstone still contains 13% water.

Opal: Color

The Opal can come in many different colors. In its fundamental form the opal is colorless, but this is rarely found. The difference in color comes from the formation process of the water forming tiny spheres, all of which are usually uniform in size and order diffracting light within the stone thus creating various colors of the rainbow. The more uniform the size of the spheres, the more intense, brilliant, and defined the color will be. If the spheres are random in shape and arrangement, common or colorless opal is formed.

The color of the opal depends solely on the uniformity of the tiny spheres. In smaller spheres, the spectrum of blues and violets would show. In larger spheres the colors of orange and red will show more on stone. These stones are highly valued since they show more “play of color” or spectral colors when rotated.

Opal: Different types

The opal can be found in many varieties and types. Fine quality opal surprisingly, is more rare to find than that of rare rubies and emeralds. Below are different types of Opal that can be found:

Black Opal – These types of opal are the most rare and most valuable of all opals. These opals usually come in bar form. Despite the name, these types of opals have the complete colors of the rainbow but the body is of dark colors of black, brown, blue or gray.

Boulder Opal – These types of opals are usually found in the mining fields of Queensland, Australia. This type of opal is often cut with the ironstone left on the back, as the opal seam is usually quite thin. They can be found in many different forms and colors: its surface can be smooth or uneven, with the opal occurring as a solid piece on top of the ironstone or showing as flashing flecks of color throughout the ironstone.

Common Opal – These types of Opal does not display any “play of color” and are classified as non-gem quality Opal. These types of opals are inexpensive and hold very little value.

Synthetic Opal

Synthetic opals are created in laboratories and are hard to tell apart from natural ones without use of laboratory. The first synthetic opals were created by Pierre Gilson in 1974. He used a synthesizing method which is called flocculation method. This method involves producing colloidal silica and separating and eliminating spheres using sedimentation process. This process takes the course of some months to produce.

There are also man-made stones such as doublets and triplets. Doublet Opal is made of thin slices which are glued onto silica material, glass or iron stone. The dark blackening gives the opal a more enhanced color. Triplet opal are made from three pieces, which consist firstly of a flat thin slice of precious opal, secondly a layer of common opal, glass or porcelain that has been darkened and thirdly a layer of quartz. Triplet opals are usually cheaper than doublet opals due to the fact that doublet carries a higher content of precious opal.

Peridot
Color: green, lime, yellowish green, olive green or medium dark green hues
Color of Streak: White
Moh’s hardness: 6.5 – 7
Density or Specific Gravity: 3.28-3.48
Cleavage: Indistinct
Chemical composition: (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Refractive Index: 1.650 -1.703
Reflective Index: 31-37
Dispersion: 0.020 (0.012-.0.013)
Transparency: Transparent

Peridot: Introduction
The peridot is known as the official birthstone of August and the stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra. It is also the stone that is given on the 16th wedding anniversary. The color of the peridot comes in many shades of green, with just a hint of gold. Hence it’s Greek name ‘chrysolite’ meaning “golden stone” or the French word ‘peritot’ meaning “gold”. The peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in one color. It is also sometimes mistaken with emeralds and other green gemstones. This is why the peridot is often referred to as the “poor man’s emerald”.
For this newsletter we will be discussing more about the peridot.

Peridot: History
There were many instances in history where peridots were mistaken for other gemstones. As previously mentioned on the last newsletter on topaz, the peridot, which was mistaken to be topaz was mined on the island of Topazo off the Egyptian Red Sea. The peridots mined from the island were used to carve talismans and jewelry for Pharoah’s treasury. Egyptians worked tirelessly during the day as well as the night, when the gems could better be found due to the radiance which shines at night. This is why some call the peridot the “Evening emerald”. Another case of peridot being mistaken for another gemstone is Cleopatra whose favorite gemstone was the emerald but legends state that these so called emeralds were actually indeed peridot. One famous large peridot gem adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne was for centuries, believed to be an emerald, and only recently to be identified as peridot late in the last century.

In ancient times the peridot was named the chrysolite. This name, chrysolite was also given to some colors of the topaz until further research was made in order to identify the difference between the two. In the middle ages, Europeans brought peridot stones back from the Crusades to decorate church plates and robes. Peridot was also known to ancient Hebrews and is listed both as one of the stones used by Aaron as the second gemstone used on his breastplate.

Peridot: How are they formed?
The peridot is formed from a form of magma from the upper mantle (20 – 55 miles deep), and are brought to the service by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are in extrusive igneous rocks. These rocks turn into olivine, which is a silicate mineral rich in magnesium and iron. Once the olivine crystallizes, it turns into gemstone form and forms peridot. This process usually takes long periods of time (usually millions of years) through high temperature and pressure within the rocks.

Peridot: Color
The peridot is one of the few stones that come in one color: green. Though it has only one color it can come in many different hues such as lime, yellow green, olive green, and medium dark green. The intensity and tint of the green however depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow-green through olive green to brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color. The color of the peridot is the most important factor in determining its quality. Where emeralds have their own special green, which has perfect combination of yellow and blue hues, the peridot has its own special lime green color which makes it bright, lively and fresh.

Peridot: Cut
Most peridot cuts today are cut in a way that the stone is usually round or in an “emerald” cut. These cuts are usually made in the same region or area they were mined, usually in the south of Asia. A good cut of a peridot will be very noticeable to the eye because all facets are even and there are no windows in the stone where you can see through it.

Peridot: Clarity
Like all gemstones the peridot includes inclusions or internal “imperfections” which include either cracks or substances inside the gemstone which were made during the process of the gemstone’s formation. The most typical inclusion for the peridot is the “lillypad” inclusion, which are presence of biotite grains. The fewer the inclusions the higher the cost of the peridot will be. This is due to the fact that the less inclusions the more the peridot can “sparkle”.

Peridot: Carat
Peridots are not too rare and therefore are not that expensive. Small stones can be sold at about $5 per carat but if they do not have any inclusions they can be up to or under $50 per carat. Size does not play a big role in the cost compared to the previous C’s of the peridot but carat sizes of 8 carats or over depending on cut, clarity and color, can be worthy to display on a museum.

Ruby: Introduction

Red is the color of love, passion, vivacity, exuberance, and power. It is also the color of one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world -the ruby. The ruby is known to be the July birthstone and is the stone given on the 15th and 40th marriage anniversaries to provide happy couples a long prosperous marriage. In ancient times the ruby is known as the “king of gems”. The ruby has everything a precious stone would need- magnificent color, excellent hardness, and outstanding brilliance. The color of a ruby can range from fiery orange red to a deep purple red. Large rubies are hard to find, which make them rare, in some cases could be more valuable than a diamond of the same size.

Ruby: History

The ruby derives its name from the Latin word ruber which is a name that is based on its red color. Like many other gemstones the ruby has been used as a talisman to cure and protect. People in ancient times believed that rubies, if grounded into fine powder placed on the tip of the tongue were thought to have healing abilities for the blood as well as the heart. Many ancient cultures thought that wearing a ruby jewelry or under their skin will protect the user in battle. This is because of the ruby’s blood-like color. The Hindus and Greeks believed that the ruby’s color came from fire being trapped in the stone. They tried using rubies to boil water and even melt wax.

Famous Rubies

It is stated that flawless rubies mined from Burma are valued at millions of dollars. Although these mines generate outstanding rubies, it rarely generates rubies more than a few carats in weight. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington carries the largest Burmese ruby known to date. The 23.1 carat, Burmese ruby called the Carmen Lucia ruby is set inside a platinum ring with diamonds, was donated by a businessman and philanthropist in memory of his wife.

The largest said ruby in the world is owned by the Beijing Fugui Tianshi Jewelry Co. Ltd. This ruby weighed in at 8184g (over 18 pounds) and measures in at 5.11 X 5.43 X 5.70 inches in size. Other notable rubies are the Edwardes ruby (167ct), which resides in the British Museum of Natural History, the Rosser Reeves star ruby (138.7ct), which resides in the Smithsonian Institution, and the De Long star ruby (100 ct) in the American Museum of Natural History.

Ruby: What is it made of?

Ruby is of the corundum species which consists of the ruby and sapphire. The corundum next to the diamond is one of the hardest substances on Earth. On the Moh’s scale it registers as a 9, which comes second to diamond. Pure corundum is colorless and only red corundum can be considered as a ruby. All other color of corundum is considered a sapphire. Corundum is formed in igneous rocks that are relatively high in aluminum, but very low in silicon and in metamorphic environments with similar chemistry. In order for corundum to become a ruby, there must be certain minerals present in the rocks. Slight traces of elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the reddish color.

Ruby: Color

Just like emeralds, the ruby’s color is the most dominant feature. The color of a ruby can range from fiery orange red to a deep purple red. As previously mentioned the ruby is of the corundum class and only red corundum can be classified as a ruby. All other colors are sapphire.

There are three components that a ruby is measured by. These are tone, hue, and saturation. The tone is a measure of the deepness of the red color. It describes whether the red is dark, medium, or light. Medium to medium-dark are considered the best tone of red. The hue describes the slight presence or hue of other colors. The basic hues of the ruby are: red, slight orange, strong orange, slight purple, and strong purple. And the saturation (also called the purity or intensity) describes how well the gem has been saturated with the red colors and how free it is from any brown or grey colors. Unlike diamonds which has different color-grading systems, rubies lack a convenient method to characterize their color. This is due to the extreme range of tone, hue, and saturation in rubies. Judging the best color is based on the “eye of the beholder”. Most people believe that the rubies from the mines of Burma hold the greatest color of rubies. These rubies are called the Burmese Ruby or “Pigeons Blood” ruby.

Ruby: Cut

The best ruby cuts offer a depth/width ratio higher than comparable diamond cuts. These cuts are 65% – 80% for good quality rubies. If the ruby is cut too deep, it will make the stones look smaller than it is but it will show off more color than cut in normal proportions. These deep cut stones also preserve weight, increasing the cost of the stone. Stones that are too shallow will look bigger in weight will look larger than it is and will appear lighter in color.

It is hard find a perfectly cut ruby anywhere. This is because of two reasons. One reason that it is hard to find a perfect cut ruby is hard to find is that since rubies are so precious and rare; there is tentativeness to cut the necessary amount, during faceting process. Another reason why a perfect cut ruby is hard to find is that natural rubies when formed from the Earth’s crust are shaped in an octahedral shape, which is usually wide and flat. This is why most ruby jewelry very shallow.

Ruby: Enhancements

Improving the quality of gemstones is common practice in the industry. The most common practice of ruby enhancement is heat treatment. Most, if not all rubies in the lower end markets are heat treated in order to enhance the color and remove the blue patches on it. Heat treatment used to be done with simple tools such as a blow-pipe and charcoal burner. Today heat treatment is done using chemicals such as beryllium, borax, lead and tantalum. The temperature for heat treatment reaches temperatures over 1800 degrees Celsius (3300 Fahrenheit). Occasionally, the stress from heat treatment used to enhance the color will create fractures over time and may need to be repaired.

Another process for enhancing rubies, which is a less acceptable method, is glass filling. This process is done by filling the fractures inside the ruby with lead glass, which will dramatically improve the transparency of the stone. If color needs to be added, glass powder with copper or other elements such as sodium, calcium, potassium, etc are treated with the ruby. Glassing filling, if done correctly can actually make the ruby more durable.

Ruby: Synthetic/Imitation

Because the ruby was so sought after, it was the first gemstone to be made artificially. The first ever documented attempt of synthetic ruby was made by French chemist Marc A. Gaudin. He created synthetic rubies by fusing aluminum at high temperatures and using chromium as a pigment. The first ever synthetic ruby was created in 1902 by another French chemist, Auguste Victor Louis Verneuil using the flame fusion process. The process was done by melting the ruby into fine powder using an oxygen-hydrogen flame and then crystallizing it into what is called a boule. This process is considered to be the founding step in modern crystal growth technology and is still widely used today. Rubies created using flame fusion are commonly used in bearings or mundane jewelry like high school class rings. Other processes of creating synthetic rubies are done by pulling process, flux process, and hydrothermal process. Flame fusion is more widely used compared to the other processes because of the low cost involved in processing.

For a long time, the general public was not really aware that pink sapphires really existed. This is because the pink sapphire was considered so special by jewelers that pink sapphire jewelry was only really traded by insiders. As far as the general public knew, a sapphire did not really come in any other color but blue.

The truth is that the sapphire comes in many colors including yellow, green, pink, purple orange and of course blue. A sapphire that is any other color but blue is called a Fancy Sapphire. Some of these sapphires also have their own names. For instance, the orange sapphire, which hails from India, is called Padparadsha. Red sapphires are classified as rubies.

Pink sapphires are also sometimes called the girly sapphires. They become very popular after Paris Hilton was spotted wearing an enormous pink sapphire ring and pendant framed by two yellow canary diamonds. This led to a flurry of interest in pink sapphires, especially on the Home Shopping Network which had companies specializing in both natural and lab created pink sapphire jewellery. Currently the trend seems to be towards the large brass knuckle type ring that is paved with scores of tiny pink sapphire stones.

There is something very cheery, youthful and optimistic about pink sapphire jewelry. It is a feminine stone but it is also one of the strongest and hardest stones in the world registering at a MOH scale hardness of 9. In this sense you could say it is a symbol of “the velvet glove” – feminine strength.

It is the ideal precious stone to give to a younger woman perhaps as a present for a birthday or for graduating from college. Pink sapphire jewelry is hip these days because the off color sapphires (ones that are not the usual dark blue) epitomize the eclectic taste. They are also the ideal gift for any individual that collects rare, but precious gemstones especially if you can find a pink sapphire ring or pendant that boasts a particularly odd or bright shade of pink.

The pink sapphire is just as valuable and sometimes even more expensive than a high quality blue one. It is a durable stone that lasts for years. Like all sapphires it belongs to the corundum group of minerals, which are second only to diamonds in terms of their hardness. As they don’t scratch or chip easily, pink sapphires are also the ideal stone for the busy working woman as it is highly unlikely she will damage the stone. The pronged settings of a pink sapphire ring are more likely to wear out than the gemstone itself.

Its beauty, magnificent colors, its transparency but also its resistance and permanence are characteristics which gemstone lovers and experts assign to this gemstone – however, this does not only apply to blue Sapphire as will be pointed out later on. Sapphire belongs to the corundum group, which is set apart from other gemstones by their very good hardness (Grade 9 on the Mohs’ scale). They are second in hardness to diamonds only, and diamonds represent the hardest mineral on Earth! Because of their good harness, sapphires are easy to care for as gemstones and demand from their wearers only the usual and normal care.

The corundum group consists of pure aluminum oxide and other elements that make the stones different colors. The more chrome a gemstone in this family contains the redder it will be. Rubies, also known as red sapphires have a great deal of chrome and that is what gives them their blood red color. Pink sapphires have less chrome, but just enough to give them their gorgeous blush. Iron is the element that gives common sapphires that true blue color.

Sapphires and especially pink sapphires can be considered to be a “cut above” other gemstones. This is because they are mined from very deep within in the earth. Cutters of sapphires must be the best as it is a stone that can contain several hues in one rock. In order the stone to really sparkle and for the depth of its color to be brilliant and consistent, a real expert must handle it. Otherwise the stone will be dull.

Like rubies and sapphires, pink sapphires can be heat treated in order to get rid of a dark core or an uneven color. The least expensive pink sapphire ring and pendants tend to be set with these heat-treated gemstones.

The fact that natural pink sapphires do vary so much in color from stone to stone makes them truly individual. The pink sapphire can range in hue from an almost purplish pink, to rosy pink to pink with a yellowish cast to baby pink. Even if you don’t like pink that much, there is a pink sapphire gemstone out there in a hue to suit you.

Sapphires can be a bit odd in the way that they reflect light. Before you buy a pink sapphire ring, see if it sparkles as much in daylight as it does in artificial light. A peculiar feature of this family of gemstones is that some only really glitter in sunlight and others only glitter in artificial light. Look for a gemstone that is satiated in pink and even in color it will be most likely to reflect both types of light.

The oldest Sapphire mines are situated in Sri Lanka, which used to be known as Ceylon. These mines are being rapidly depleted so the next best three natural sources of pink sapphires are from Burma, India Thailand, Australia and Brazil.

Like all precious gemstones, the value of a pink sapphire depends on size, color and transparency. It also depends where the pink sapphire is from. Those mined in Kashmir are considered to be the most precious followed by ones from Burma and Sri Lanka. Heat treated gemstones are much less expensive as they are not as “natural.” The absolutely cheapest pink sapphire jewelry usually contains lab created pink sapphires, which are absolutely perfect. These are the types of stones you are most likely to find in discount pink sapphire jewelry.

Sapphire: Within the gem trade, sapphire – as we refer to it is known as the blue variety of the corundum mineral (Rubies are the red variety of the corundum mineral). The darkest blue sapphire, known as Kashmir or cornflower blue is the most valuable of all blue sapphires. I like the gemstone because it is tough and durable. Synthetic sapphires were first synthesized in 1902, and to the untrained eye – it is nearly impossible to distinguish the difference between a natural sapphire and synthetic man made sapphire. If you question the realness of your gem, take it to a jeweler.

Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone, which in turn makes it very affordable as well. it gets it name from the Latin phrase “water of the sea”, it is the blue-green variety of the mineral Beryl. One little known fact is that the light color of the stone may actually fade over time. Keep that in mind if you purchase a cheap one, it is best to buy from a reputable dealer.Aquamarine gems are usually flawless, finding one with visible flaws is rare and for this reason, synthetic aquamarine stones aren’t typically available and cost more to manufacture than the real stone itself.

Spinel: Spinel isn’t often talked about amongst “lay people”, but is certainly popular within the gemstone trade. In its pure form, spinel is colorless or white, however when impurities are added – it can become any desired color. Blue spinel is often confused for the blue sapphire.

Blue Topaz: The topaz gemstone comes in several colors including blue. Natural dark hue blue topaz is uncommon, so white or lighter colored natural topaz stones are heat treated to create the dark-ish blue that we often associate with the stone. Comparatively speaking, topaz is less durable than other gems – making it easier to chip and more difficult to cut.

If your ring is going to be different, don’t just let it be strange, let it mean something. You have to choose a ring that actually says something without saying anything. You should be able to get down on one knee, open that box, and see her nodding her head before you even get the words out. Her quick reply won’t be because she’s in love with the jewelry, but because she’s in love with a person who knows her enough to get a ring that is absolutely perfect.

You can’t send that message any better than you can with the enviable green majesty of an emerald engagement ring. Known for being the sacred stone of the Greek goddess Venus, emeralds have also been long associated with bringing reason and wisdom to those who wear it.

Beautiful by itself or accented by diamonds, an emerald will complement any skin tone. It does look especially nice though, against caramel skin or for anyone with olive colored undertones. Extremely refractive, emeralds will shine in any light, and it’s guaranteed to be a beauty she’ll be proud to show off to her friends. The only difference between an emerald and an aquamarine is that the emerald has less air bubbles in the stone itself, which produces the much darker green color.

You can find emerald engagement rings at almost any of your local jewelers. If you are hunting for something more than extraordinary, you may need to go online or search in your phone book for jewelers that do custom emerald engagement rings. That way, you can choose every facet of the most important ring she’ll ever wear.

At www.israeldiamonds.com, you can design your own emerald engagement ring right online. They have selections for bands, settings, metal, and type of gemstone. You can select the color, cut, and clarity of the stone as well. Good luck in your search for the emerald that matches her eyes.

Everyone knows that an engagement ring is one of the most significant pieces of jewelry a person will buy or receive in their lifetime. The most traditional style of engagement ring is a round brilliant cut diamond set on a single, solid band. This is a beautiful way to demonstrate your love for someone, but sometimes, a traditional and classic ring simply isn’t what you are looking for.

A great way to make your ring a little bit more special for that wonderful someone is to add a little color to the diamond itself. Your local jeweler should be able to show you some beautiful colored diamonds which are often rare and highly sought after. Colored diamonds most often are found in yellow, pink, blue, and green shades and are a beautiful way to show that you mean forever.

Birthstone rings are also a nice alternative to the traditional diamond ring. Birthstone engagement rings usually have the birthstone as the focal point of the ring, but accented by small diamonds for sparkle. This is very personal and elegant method of making it all about who she really is.

Cubic Zirconium (cz) rings have stones as their focal point that look like diamonds but they are much more easily affordable. These stones still have an incredible shine and can handle all of the same cuts as a diamond can. Look for some Cubic zirconium jewelry and engagement rings online so that you can get an idea of what it looks like and whether or not it’s for you. Don’t try to convince her it’s a diamond though! That might be a mess.

When purchasing a non-traditional engagement ring, you have to be sure to keep your partner’s preferences in mind. This will ensure that they are not disappointed in the ring that you do choose, making that extraordinary day as close as it can possibly get to perfection.

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With so many engagement rings to look at and choose from, why not be different and choose an amethyst for the stone in your finance’s engagement ring? Amethysts are the birth stone for February and if her birthday is in February it will be doubly special to present her with an amethyst engagement ring. Greek mythology gives an account of how this beautiful stone came into existence and how it came by its rich purple color.

Amethysts also have deeply religious associations and many faiths use it as a symbol of spirituality, sincerity, and purity, everything that is important to a couple that is about to wed. Purple is also considered to represent royalty, so present the queen of your heart with an amethyst ring.

Most amethysts are some shade of purple, from light lilac to deep rich purple. However, amethysts can also come in shades of green. They are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Africa, and Australia. Amethysts rate a seven on the hardness scale, so they are a very good choice for jewelry worn on a daily basis (Opals are a one and Diamonds are a ten). Amethysts can be cut into any shape just like a diamond and can be placed into any type of setting.

Aside from being the birthstone for February, the amethyst is also the gemstone that represents the sixth year anniversary of your marriage. Although the amethyst is not nearly as expensive as the diamond, the price can vary due to the size and color of the gemstone you choose for the engagement ring.

Taking care of the amethyst stone is very easy, simply soap and water. Do not place in an ultrasonic cleaner, avoid rapid temperature changes, and avoid contact with household cleaners to ensure that your amethyst remains intact for many, many years.

Many of the big named jewelers will carry amethyst engagement rings, but if you have difficulty locating one that says “pick me”, take a look at the following websites:

• http://www.myjewelrysource.com/amethyst-engagement-aquamarine-engagement.htm

• http://www.jewelsforme.com/itemlist-main.asp?

• http://www.mysolitaire.com/gemstonerings/

• http://www.ampalian.com/jewellery/search/amethyst/?page=1&s=amethyst

• http://www.belljewels.com/Gemstone_Rings-Amethyst.html

Picking a ring a ring that says “I cherish you” is hard to do because there are so many choices out there. Hopefully this has helped you to narrow your search for an engagement ring to the beauty of the amethyst.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Tanzanite engagement rings: So you are asking the love of your life to marry you, but you are in a quandary about the type of engagement ring to propose with. Why not show her what a rare and special gem she is to you by presenting her with a tanzanite engagement ring. Is her birthday in December, are you proposing in December, or is there a special date in December that you want to commemorate? Then tanzanite is the way to go as it was added in 2003 by the American Gem Trade Association as a birthstone for the month of December, the first gemstone added to the list in nearly one hundred years. Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, Africa and so far this is the only place that tanzanite is found and mined. Tiffany’s was the first to be presented with the gem after its discovery and they quickly realized its value. Through their promotion and advertising tanzanite became one of the most desirable and well-liked gemstones in the world.

When looking at a tanzanite in different lighting, you will see a stone that consists of dark blue, green-yellow, and reddish-purple coloring. The most sought after color of tanzanite is the one that is deep blue with hues of purple at the edges. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable jeweler because some will substitute a different less expensive stone for tanzanite. Tanzanite may not be easy to find, but below are some websites that may offer you some help:

• http://www.myjewelrysource.com/tanzanite-rings.htm

• http://www.jewelsforme.com/itemlist-main.asp?

• http://www.ampalian.com/jewellery/search/tanzanite/

• http://www.ross-simons.com/Tanzanite/Rings.html

• http://www.angara.com/shop.do?cID=1941

Most, if not all, of the tanzanite that you view will have been heat treated to bring out the blue coloring. Tanzanite in its natural form is typically gray or brownish in color. If at all possible, it is best to look at loose stones and purchase one to place into a setting of your choice. The reasoning behind this is that you get a much better look at the stone and can inspect it for cracks or blemishes. Tanzanite is a softer stone that can damage easily and if the stone that you select already has a crack in it, the possibility that stone is going break increases. As with most gemstones, a tanzanite can be in whatever shape you desire. The trillion cut is the most expensive cut, being triangular with fifty-eight facets to reflect light creating sparkle or fire. Due to the fact that tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, it is probably going to be one of the more expensive stones to consider for an engagement ring.

As mentioned earlier, tanzanite is a softer stone than most so it needs to be given a little extra consideration when taking care of it. Do not place tanzanite jewelry in an ultrasonic cleanser because the tanzanite will become damaged beyond repair. It is best to remove a tanzanite ring prior to washing dishes, using everyday household cleaners, or showering to prevent the stone from becoming damaged. To avoid damage when not being worn, place separately from other jewelry to prevent accidentally damaging the tanzanite stone. You should consider insuring your tanzanite against loss or theft because it is such a rare and valuable stone.What better way is there of saying “you are precious” than to present your bride to be with a precious and rare tanzanite engagement ring.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The history of turquoise dates as far back as 3,000 B.C. The beauty of this gemstone has adorned many historical artifacts from all over the world from Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Persia and the United States. The turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate that occurs naturally in all shades of blue. You can find it in shades from sky-blue, robin’s egg blue, blue-green, grayish green, or green. The more copper that the stone is composed of makes the stone bluer, while the more iron or chromium makes the stone greener. Rarely if ever, will you find a turquoise that has been faceted because faceting brings out the reflective properties of clearer gemstones, and turquoise is not clear. However, you can find many popular shapes such as marquise, oval or heart.

Due to the softness of turquoise, usually only a six, many stones are given a hardening treatment to make them more durable, as well as waxing or polishing to promote their color. Some stones may be dipped in a coloring agent before being sealed; according to rules of the ICA this must be indicated. Due to the softness of the stone, gentle care and cleaning are required. It is recommended that one should remove the turquoise before sun tanning as the UV rays can change the color of the stone. Also, when washing dishes, using household cleaners, or bathing the turquoise engagement ring should be removed to prevent damage. When storing, it should be stored away from other jewelry to prevent damage to the stone. If you have any doubts about the care or cleaning of your engagement ring, contact a reputable jeweler that has knowledge about this gemstone’s care.

Due to the uniqueness of using turquoise as an engagement stone, it may be very hard to find one unless you live in the Southwestern United States. Below we have listed a few links to help you get started.

http://www.silver-rings-direct.com/turquoise.html.

http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Turquoise_Engagement_Rings

http://www.purple-label.com/search/web/colour/aqua-or-turquoise

http://www.daysjewelers.com/category/rings/gemstone+rings/other+gemstone+rings.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=3

If you really want to impress your bride to be, consider custom designing her engagement ring. This will show her that a lot of love and thought went into the creation of her ring. One such designer that specializes in unique gemstone ring design is:

http://www.joannarepton.co.uk/jewellery_engagement_rings.asp

Show her that the sky is the limit when it comes to your love for her with a beautifully designed engagement ring that has “a piece of the sky” as the gemstone.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Onyx is actually a form of agate that is composed of microcrystalline quartz. In its natural state, onyx is usually banded and is intriguingly unclear. Most often onyx is tinted black to minimize the variations of coloring. Onyx is most often found where there is volcanic activity.

The onyx only has a moderate hardness compared to diamonds or other gemstones. One must exercise caution when wearing onyx jewelry to avoid sharp contrast in temperatures, ultrasonic cleaners, and common household cleansers. It is recommended to remove an onyx engagement ring when washing dishes or performing other household cleaning.

There is a multitude of ways that one can design an engagement ring with an onyx. Settings made of white gold, platinum, silver, or yellow gold. The blackness of the stone lends to creativity and versatility. No matter what your beloved wears, an onyx engagement ring will compliment her clothing choice from dressy to casual. The most elegant settings for onyx are often antique in style.

Most jewelers carry a variety of onyx rings in a variety of settings, but if you need a little help choosing the engagement ring that stands out, we have a few sites that may aid you in your search.

http://www.ross-simons.com/Onyx/Rings.html

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/onyxrings.html

http://www.jmauerjewelry.com/ondienri.html

http://www.the-way-we-were.com/onyxrings.html

If you wish to present your intended bride with a ring that is stylish, simplistic, and unique, you cannot go wrong with an engagement ring that is designed with an onyx gemstone.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The aquamarine is aptly named because of the wide spectrum of blue colors that it comes in; from a pale blue to a deep sea blue-green. The deeper colors are more sought after, therefore more expensive. No matter what shade that you decide on for the stone for an engagement ring, the ring will is bound to be commented on.
Most aquamarine stones have been heat-treated to enhance the blue coloring. This treatment has no effect on the quality or the hardness of the stone. The aquamarine rates a 7.5 on the hardness scale, making it a perfect choice for daily wear.

The aquamarine is a virtually flawless stone, rarely if ever having inclusions that are sometimes common in other gemstones. This gemstone is great for being cut into any shape and faceting enhances the sparkle and beauty of the stone. Due to the beautiful blue coloring of the aquamarine, the most common settings are either platinum or white gold. However, the blue is equally as beautiful in yellow gold settings.

Caring for the aquamarine gemstone is simple. Simple cleaning with soap and water brings back the beauty of the stone. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners, rapid temperature changes, and contact with most household cleaners to prevent damaging the gemstone.

Finding aquamarine gemstone rings for engagement purposes should not be hard as most jewelers carry a variety of styles. But if you do have difficulties or cannot find a design that strikes you as the one you must have, you should look online and you will find many reputable jewelers. So if you are planning a wedding by the seaside or just want a ring that is special and unique, consider the distinctive aquamarine gemstone for the engagement ring you present to your beloved.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Chances are the love of your life adores pink and has been surrounded with the color in her bedroom, dreaming of you and a fairytale wedding. Wow, that can be a lot of pressure! Do not feel you have to make this decision alone, and enlist advice from your girlfriend’s family and friends. They are certain to be tickled pink being included!

The traditional cost of an engagement ring is said to equal to two-month’ salary. There has been a trend in colorful pink and green theme weddings. This is a perfect blend of classic feminine and masculine colors. It is only natural for a pretty girl to ‘be in the pink’.

The sapphire is linked most often to qualities of loyalty, faithfulness and honesty. This is why it is a chosen favorite for engagement rings. The sapphire received immense popularity when Prince Charles presented Lady Diana with an oval sapphire surrounded by fourteen diamonds for their engagement. There is a legend that the Ten Commandments are believed to have been made of sapphire.

Pink Sapphires are offered in round, or oval shapes; rectangular and square cuts are also available. Sapphires are quite hard, measuring 9 on the Mohs scale, with the diamond being the only gem that is harder. Synthetic sapphires were first created in 1902, and it is hard to tell them from natural sapphires except by the trained eye. Sapphire is the birthstone for September, and in the same gem family as the ruby.

The popular star sapphire, called so because of the appearance of a sparkle in its center, has historically been thought of as a love charm throughout many cultures. Helen of Troy attributed her battle conquests to a star sapphire she owned. The bands of light across the stone that created the star like appearance are said to represent destiny and hope. The rare pink sapphires are most found in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Sapphires are said to have given wisdom and afforded protection to generations of Kings. In ancient times, priests often used the sapphire in order to help them to predict the future. In the Bible, the sapphire was one of twelve stones given to Moses to place in the breastplate of Aaron. Sapphires were also placed in the foundation of the walls of Jerusalem.

Sapphires are a durable gem, and easy to care for, which do not scratch or crack easily. Their value depends on color, transparency, and size. Sapphires have with a rich history and unusually long life expectancy.

Sapphire is given for the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversaries. The Star Sapphire is often gifted on the 65th anniversary. Your new wife will cherish her ring, and pass it down for many generations to come! Congratulations, Prince Charming, your captivating Princess awaits you, and that stunning pink sapphire engagement ring!

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

You are about to ask the woman of your dreams to marry you and you want to select a stone that epitomizes all of the qualities that your beloved possesses. A Yellow Sapphire represents wisdom, virtue, future, devotion, truthfulness, and children just to name a few things among many. The color yellow brings to mind happiness and warmth. Isn’t that exactly what your future wife brings into your life?

With the rising costs of gasoline today, which in turn raises costs in just about every other market, one probably does not have a large budget with which to purchase an engagement ring. The good news is that Yellow Sapphires are very affordable. It is easy to select a larger carat stone in a beautiful setting for a lot less money than a smaller diamond ring would cost. As far as what types of cuts are available for Yellow Sapphires, the sky is the limit. This gemstone looks beautiful in emerald cuts, marquise cuts, oval cuts, pear cuts, or other traditional cuts.

Sapphires of all colors are found in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar and Australia. Some are even found right here in the U.S. in Montana. Yellow Sapphires come in shades of pale lemon to very rich golden hues. A Yellow Sapphire looks absolutely stunning when placed into settings of white gold, platinum, or silver.

When it comes to durability, a sapphire is a perfect choice. According to the Mohs scale, sapphires rate at a 9 for hardness, the only gemstone that rates higher is the diamond which rates a 10. A Yellow Sapphire is a great choice for woman who wears her ring daily, not wanting to keep it in the jewelry box most of the time. As with most gemstones, caution should be used when using household cleaners.

A Yellow Sapphire engagement ring is sure to please your lady-love, and be a real conversation piece. Show her just how special she is with an engagement ring that shows how much thought and consideration went into the selection of her ring.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The durability and hardness of the white sapphire comes second only to the diamond,and at a price point that is significantly less – the popularity of this stone as an alternative to the diamond is no surprise to us.

Unlike man made synthetic diamonds, the ceylon white sapphire is an all natural gemstone. Primarily mined in Sri Lanka, Sapphires are one of the biggest industries on the island. Most people associate the September birthstone with the color blue, but you can also find the gemstone in shades of pink, yellow, purple and “white”. Non-blue sapphires are also referred to as fancy sapphires.

When in it’s colorless form, the white sapphire makes for the perfect alternative to a traditional diamond ring. To save on money, some couples will choose a colorless sapphire as their center stone and real diamonds as side stones in their bridal ring sets. Though white sapphires are a naturally brilliant gemstone – it does not have the same dispersion (fire) as a diamond, or the stimulant moissanite stone. For this reason the white sapphire will dull more easily than a diamond.

If you’re going to purchase a white sapphire there are a few things to consider, most obviously is the color. White sapphires have a tendency to gray – so when purchasing yours it should literally be as colorless as possible. White sapphires are often heat treated to get that absolutely clear color that many go far. A 100% naturally colorless sapphire is rare. It has also been noted that an emerald cut diminishes the brilliance of the stone.

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger. Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand.

Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they’ve been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Buy your ruby engagement rings with pride! Don’t let anyone tell you that diamonds are better as engagement rings. Only you and your potential spouse should decide what fits in with your style, taste, and budget……..not popular opinion…. or your future mother-in-law. Besides, you can always tell the nay-sayers that large rubies are even more rare than diamonds. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire. Rubies are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds are considered a “10″ on the hardness scale while rubies come in at a 9. Rubies have somewhat less clarity than other gemstones and tend to have at least some small inclusions. Most rubies are heat-treated to improve their color, but stones in their natural form do exist. Cushion cut and oval rubies are the most common shape. Burmese rubies are considered to be the most desirable.

You may be able to save money by purchasing a ruby with a slightly off-shade i.e. a little bit lighter or darker than what is considered ideal… a vivid red color. You can also save some dough by purchasing synthetic versus natural rubies. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire.

Rest assured that buying opal engagement rings for your partner will not bring them bad luck but perhaps even the opposite. Concerning the opal gemstone superstition, some still feel that it is bad luck to purchase an opal for oneself, but good luck if someone else gives one to you. Throughout history there have been negative connotations associated with opals. Interestingly enough, it is said that the diamond dealers became nervous in the 18th and 19th century about the beatiful gemstone stealing away diamond customers and further perpepuated stereotypes of the opal to prevent this from happening. The powers that be tried hard to defeat this bad luck urban legend when huge amounts of opals were found in Australia.

I personally love opal engagement rings. With their rainbow hues, I just think opals are some of the prettiest stones around. The rainbow shades are oftened referred to as a “play of color.” Most of the opal supply come from our Aussie friends in Southern Australia.

Here’s the science behind the opals. Opals are a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica which are formed from amorphous “balls” or “lumps” of silica. In other words, water in the ground carrying dissolved silica seeps through sand and dirt, where the silica particles are deposited in cracks. As the water evaporates, the silica particles cement together to form the opal. The color is caused by the diffraction of light. Where the tiny spheres of silica are of a similar size and arrangement, the light reflecting from them is divided into its spectral colors, and the stone appears to contain all the colors of the rainbow. Where the spheres are larger and less uniform, the range of color is more limited.

One of the major downfalls of opal engagement rings compared to diamonds is that opals are a much softer stone. While the diamond is considered to be a 10 on the Mohs hardness sclae, the opal rates between a 5 and a 6. This means that over time, it is possible for the opal to break and you must be careful to treat it with care and look for a ring setting that best preserves its integrity (i.e. semi-bezel is a good choice).

Opals exhibit an impressive color range. They can be white, pink, green and blue, gray, or black. Australian boulder opals are the most durable of opals as well as the most robust in color. As a result, they are considered to be valuable and are pretty pricey Black opals are actually the most rare and expensive. They have a dark backdrop with a rainbow colors or deep blue-green hues. Fire opals, which have any color backdrop but exhibit an unusual amount of red color play are also fairly rare

There are a thousand legends and stories related to the opal gemstone.

The Ancient Greeks believed opals fell from heaven during flashes of lightning and provided individuals with the ability to see into the future.

The Romans thought that wearing opals made one more lucid in thought and spontaneous in action.

Can you believe this? In his play “Tweltfh Night,” Shakespeare made use of the gemstone to make an analogy between the opal’s changing colors and the ever-changing moods of a woman. Hmmmmmmmm…….not sure if I like the comparison.

The author just recently celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut diamond on her ring finger. She and her husband put together http://ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect engagement ring.