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Natural Gemstones
A natural gemstone is any stone that has crystallized in the earth unassisted by man before it is mined. Gemstones are rated on the Mohs Scale of Hardness which indicates the durability of the stone in jewelry. Minerals are ranked from the softest (1 for talc) to the hardest (10 for diamond).
Amethyst
Amethyst is often considered the color of royalty because amethyst have long been treasured by ancient kings and emperors. They were once prized even more than diamonds. The amethyst is often referred to as the Bishop’s Stone, as it is worn by bishops to symbolize their triumph over worldly vices. Known as the gem of optimism and good fortune, amethyst reveals the positive vibrations surrounding those who wear it. Darker hues of amethyst are rarely enhanced to perfect their color, although some varieties do respond well to heat enhancement. Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, and it comes in a variety of purple shades of varying intensity–from pale lilac to deep purple. Amethyst is considered the most highly prized variety of quartz. Deposits for amethyst are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, and regions of Africa.
Do not expose amethyst to direct sunlight or extreme or prolonged heat which can cause damage and fading. It ranks 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for the month of February, and the anniversary gemstone representing the 6th and 9th year of marriage.
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Aquamarine
Aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua marina, meaning seawater, and is known as the gem of the sea. This gemstone was believed to keep sailors safe and guard against storms, as well as bring hope, health, harmony, and happiness. The aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, and is known for its range of serene, oceanic shades from pastel to medium light blue-green or light green to deep blue. Many aquamarines are greenish when mined and cut. For those who prefer a purer blue, these gemstones are heated to enhance their blue color permanently. Its primary sources include Brazil and Africa. It ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for the month of March, and the anniversary gemstone representing the 18th and 19th year of marriage.
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Blue Topaz
Blue topaz was once extremely rare; however, now it is one of the most available color topaz on the market. Most topaz found in nature are colorless. To get their blue color, a colorless topaz goes through a process called “irradiation” which is used to heat and color the stone blue. After the raw topaz is extracted from the earth and cut, it is irradiated to brown and then heated to sky blue. This enhancement process is permanent. Most blue topaz are mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka and Australia. Do not expose blue topaz to direct sunlight, or extreme or prolonged heat which can cause damage and fading. It ranks 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It is the shared birthstone for the month of December with turquoise and blue zircon, and is the anniversary gemstone representing the 4th year of marriage.
Carnelian
The word carnelian is derived from the Latin word carno, carnis meaning flesh, in reference to the color of the stone. Carnelian was used over 2,000 years ago during the Roman era to make signet rings for imprinting a seal with wax on correspondence or other important documents.
Carnelian is a member of the microcrystalline group within the quartz stone family. Heated to improve color, the Carnelian comes in an array of colors including shades of red, orange or brown colored chalcedony. Sources are found in India, Brazil, and Uruguay. It ranks 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Carnelian is the anniversary gemstone representing the 17th year of marriage.
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Chalcedony
Chalcedony was a treasured gemstone of the ancient world. The Victorians prized chalcedony for carved cameos and intaglios because its fine texture allows for delicate and intricate workmanship. Chalcedony is a member of the quartz stone family. They are found in all 50 states and come in a wide variety of colors, tones and shapes. Most chalcedony used in jewelry is color enhanced for a more consistent color. It ranks 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
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Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase was a favorite of Frederick the Great of Prussia who loved the bright green color. Unlike most other green stones, which owe their color to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase derives its color from a nickel silicate. This gemstone is featured on many buildings in Prague in the Czech Republic, including the Chapel of St. Wencelas. Deposits are found in Australia, Brazil, India, Malagasy Republic, South Africa, Russia, and the U.S. It ranks 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
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Citrine
Citrine is named from the French word lemon, "citron", since many citrines have a bright sunny yellow color. It also comes in hues of gold to orange brown shades. Brownish varieties are commonly heated and magically turn into the bright yellow or orange colors known as citrine. This enhancement method is permanent and will last for the life of the gemstones. During the romantic era of the 1800’s, citrine was said to symbolize joy and lightheartedness. Citrine is a member of the quartz family, and natural citrine deposits are mined mostly in Brazil, but also in Malagasy Republic, the U.S., Spain, Russia, France, and Scotland. Citrine should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat which can damage and fade the stone. It ranks 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Citrine is considered an alternative to topaz as the modern birthstone for November.
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Diamond
Derived from the Latin diamas meaning the unconquerable, diamond has maintained its position throughout history as a perfect icon for love and marriage. Although white is the most common color, diamond actually comes in a variety of colorful hues. The diamond is the only gemstone to rank 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It is the traditional birthstone for the month of April, and the anniversary gemstone representing the 10th and 60th year of marriage. For more information on this gemstone, please refer to our DIAMONDS brochure.
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Garnet
Garnet traces its roots to the Nile Delta in 3100 B.C., where Egyptian artisans would craft the gemstone into beads or inlay them into hand-wrought jewelry. Legend proclaims this jewel had the ability to illuminate the night sky. Stories of The Ark say Noah used garnet as a lamp on his bow as he cast about on the ocean. Garnet received its name from the ancient Greeks because the color reminded them of the "granatum," or pomegranate seed. The garnets in jewelry designed by James Avery are generally in the red-violet to red-brown color range. Garnets mainly come from the East Coast of Africa. Small deposits are also found in the U.S., Czech Republic, and India. It ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Garnet is the traditional birthstone for the month of January, and the anniversary gemstone representing the 2nd year of marriage.
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