Birthstones

December’s birthstones offer a trio of dazzling gems with a beautiful blue hue: tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. Each gem boasts a unique charm and history, making them perfect for those celebrating their birthday in the last month of the year—or anyone looking to add a touch of vibrant blue to their collection. Tanzanite: A Rare and Exotic Beauty Tanzanite, the rare blue-purple variety of zoisite, is found exclusively in Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro. Discovered in 1967, its striking color, caused by trace amounts of vanadium and extreme heat, ranges from pale blue to deep ultramarine with violet undertones. Due to

By Isabelle Corvin, CG, Panowicz Jewelers The phrase “play-of-color” is whimsical yet accurate! Technically speaking, a gemstone is classified as a beautiful, rare, and durable mineral. Phenomenal gemstones are those jewels that go above and beyond with exceptional and stunning attributes. While there are several phenomena that gemstones can have, one of the most well-known and magical is play-of-color. Opals are famous for this phenomenon because of these pinpricks and flashes of color. Play-of-color can appear like the broad strokes of a paintbrush, little flecks of light, or a brilliant patchwork of bold colors. These patterns are called flash fire,

Sapphires, the birthstone for September, are renowned for their rich blue hue, but they also come in a stunning spectrum of colors. From vivid pinks and yellows to gorgeous green and purple shades, sapphires offer a rainbow of options for jewelry lovers. Learn more about sapphires in this insightful blog by Jewelers Mutual, Exploring the Spectrum of Sapphire Colors. A one-of-a-kind 59.57ct untreated Sri Lankan sapphire from Affordable Gems.

By Avery Quigley, American Gem Society People born in November are blessed with two beautiful birthstones: Citrine and topaz. These two dazzling gemstones have rich histories and folklore. Continue reading to learn more. History of Citrine The name “citrine” was used to refer to yellow gemstones as early as 1385. However, because the gemstone’s color resembles topaz, the two November birthstones have a history of being mistaken for each other. In the mid-18th century, mineralogists realized that amethyst and smoky quartz could be heat treated to produce golden honey hues of citrine, contributing to an abundance of affordable enhanced gemstones

The birthstones for October are opal and tourmaline. Yes, October has two birthstones, offering a broad range of choices to mark this special month. If you are celebrating an October birthday or even an October milestone, you have a unique opportunity to choose jewelry that aligns with your style, as there are so many intriguing options available in both opal and tourmaline. Why October has two birthstones Opal has long been the traditional October birthstone, celebrated for its iridescent beauty. The American National Retail Jeweler’s Association created the standard list of birthstones, one for each month, in 1912. Forty years later,