Pearls are the birthstone for June. Although traditionally thought of as white and round, pearls are available in a variety of colors and unique shapes and sizes. Pearls are thought to help one gain self-knowledge and esteem. Throughout history and across cultures, pearls have been associated with wealth and power. Color: Cultured pearls can be found in many colors, although the pearls are often dyed. Natural pearls are quite rare and valuable nowadays. The value of a pearl is determined in accordance with its lack of surface flaw and symmetry, as well as luster, color, and size. Luster is the primary factor to determine value used by jewelers. Large, perfectly round pearls are also rare and highly prized. Source: Australia has the vast majority of opal. The US, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Indonesia, and Brazil also hold opal deposits. Age: Divers throughout the world have sought … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Emerald (May’s Birthstone)
Emerald, the birthstone for May, is also the 2013 color of the year. An emerald’s myriad powers have been revered throughout the ages. Ancients believed it gives foresight to its wearer, brings luck, faith, and clarity to discover whom to trust, as well as heightening intelligence and memory. Color: Emeralds come in a variety of sparkling green hues, some with a yellowish tint; others bluish. Source: Mainly Zambia, Brazil, and Colombia. It has also been found in many countries, including Russia, Australia, Austria, Norway, and the US. Colombian “trapiche” varieties are rare. Age: It is associated with the Pharaoh Sesser’s III, at around 2000 BCE. Family: Beryl Hardness: 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing Properties: An emerald’s myriad powers have been revered throughout the ages. Ancients believed it gives foresight to its wearer, brings luck, faith, and clarity to discover whom to trust, as well as heightening intelligence and memory. Health-wise it’s said to … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Diamond (April’s Birthstone)
Diamond, one of the most sought-after precious gemstones, is the birthstone for April. Diamonds are considered a symbol of purity and thought to stimulate creativity and imagination. In addition to their use in wedding and engagement jewelry, diamonds are also the official gemstone for 60th wedding anniversaries. Cubic Zirconia is frequently used as an alternative to diamonds. Color: Diamonds come in a variety of different colors. Most commonly they are brown, yellow, gray, or colorless. Less common colors would include blue, green, black, pink, violet, orange, purple, red and translucent white. Source: Diamonds can be found in several places globally including Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lesotho, Russia, India, Canada, United States and Australia. Age: Diamonds were first discovered and mined in India. It is hard to pinpoint the exact date of discovery, but it is believed to be about 6,000 years ago. Family: Carbon Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing … [Continue reading]
2013 Spring and Summer Color and Gemstone Trends
By now you have probably heard that Emerald is the 2013 “Color of the Year”. (If you missed it, check out the press release from Pantone here.) Green is sure to be everywhere this year (which is great for me because it’s my favorite color :D). But what other colors will be popular? Earlier this year, Pantone announced the 10 top colors of spring and summer 2013, which include balanced neutrals such as Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, and Linen as well as the bright shades of Emerald, African Violet, Nectarine, Poppy Red, Lemon Zest, and Tender Shoots. Pulling both the neutrals and brights together is the anchoring color Monaco Blue. Check out the top 10 colors for Spring and Summer 2013 below, along with the associated gemstones in each beautiful color. You will see these colors everywhere- from jewelry, to clothing, to home decor and furniture, to paint colors. They will … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Aquamarine (March’s Birthstone)
Aquamarine, a soothing blue semi-precious stone, is the birthstone for March. Aquamarine is linked with loyalty, beauty, honesty, foresight, courage, and contentment. It ignites love, and opens up paths for new friendships. Color: Spans a range of blues, from pastel blue to deep blue. Aquamarines form flawless crystals and are favored by many gemstone designers. Source: Brazil has the majority of mines, producing high quality crystals. It can also be found in Pakistan, India, Russia, Afghanistan, USA, Madagascar, Zambia, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Age: Aquamarines were first associated with the Romans, who honored the gem’s supposed power. Roman grooms presented it to their wives on their wedding night, as it was associated with promoting marital harmony. Family: Beryl Hardness: 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing Properties: Symbolically, aquamarine is linked with loyalty, beauty, honesty, foresight, courage, and contentment. Considered to relieve discord in romantic relationships, it promotes mutual understanding and reconciliation. … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Amethyst (February’s Birthstone)
Amethyst, a royal purple semi-precious stone, is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is said to heighten psychic/intuitive powers and promote creative abilities. Considered to be the stone of sobriety, it aids clarity. Color: Can be either colorless or come in various purple shades, such as reddish purple or bluish purple. Its value increases the deeper and more intense the purple. Amethyst can also be found in pink and green. Source: Sri Lanka, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Siberia, and India. It can also be found in smaller quantities and sizes in Zambia and Australia. (The Amethyst from Africa is valued for its depth of shade.) Age: There’s archeological evidence that amethyst was used in jewelry as far back as 3,000 BCE in Egypt. Family: Quartz Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing Properties: It is said to heighten psychic/intuitive powers and promote creative abilities. Considered to be the stone of … [Continue reading]
Wedding Trend Color Highlight: Grayed Jade / Minty Green
Pantone recently announced the 10 top colors of spring and summer 2013, which include balanced neutrals such as Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, and Linen as well as the light and bright shades of Emerald, African Violet, Nectarine, Poppy Red, Lemon Zest, and Tender Shoots. Pulling both the neutrals and brights together is the anchoring color Monaco Blue. You will see these colors everywhere- from jewelry, to clothing, to home decor and furniture, to paint colors. They will also be prominent in 2013 weddings, from bridesmaid dresses, to invitations, to favors, to linens, to flowers and other decorations. Today, we are going to explore how grayed jade will be utilized in weddings throughout the year, especially in Spring & Summer 2013. Wedding Trend Color: Minty Green Associated 2013 Pantone Color: Grayed Jade Description: A muted and subtle minty green with just a hint of gray undertones Wedding Trends in this Color: Mint Green … [Continue reading]
Trend Report: 2013 Spring and Summer Colors and Gemstones
By now you have probably heard that Emerald is the 2013 “Color of the Year”. (If you missed it, check out the press release from Pantone here.) Green is sure to be everywhere this year (which is great for me because it’s my favorite color :D). But what other colors will be popular? Pantone recently announced the 10 top colors of spring and summer 2013, which include balanced neutrals such as Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, and Linen as well as the bright shades of Emerald, African Violet, Nectarine, Poppy Red, Lemon Zest, and Tender Shoots. Pulling both the neutrals and brights together is the anchoring color Monaco Blue. Check out the top 10 colors for Spring and Summer 2013 below, along with the associated gemstones in each beautiful color. You will see these colors everywhere- from jewelry, to clothing, to home decor and furniture, to paint colors. They will also be … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Garnet (January’s Birthstone)
Garnet, a deep wine colored semi-precious stone, is the birthstone for January. Garnet is a symbol of courage and compassion and is linked with harmonizing energy, stimulating sexual desire, and unleashing the imagination. Color: Although the garnet is commonly found in reddish-brown hues, it also comes in pink, purple, yellow, orange, violet, green, colorless, black and brown. Green tsavorite garnets are rare and valuable. Source: Primarily it comes from the Czech Republic, Africa, and Spain. Deposits exist all over the world, though, including Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Russia, Myanmar, Canada and US. Age: The use of garnet goes all the way to the Bronze Age. Artisans of the Egyptian Nile around 3100 BCE made jewelry with it. Family: Garnets are classified into different groups according to their chemical compositions, which include Pyrope, Andradite, Spessartine, Glossularite, Uvarovite, and a few other less common groups. Hardness: 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale Gemstone … [Continue reading]
Gemstone Feature- Citrine (November’s Birthstone)
Citrine is considered a secondary birthstone for November, with Topaz being the primary birthstone. Citrine is a symbol of the sun and is linked with wisdom and joy. It is a semi-precious stone. Color: Pale yellow to various shades of honey and golden yellows; the deeper the yellow, the more iron it contains and the higher its value. Source: Primarily found in Brazil, but can also come from Spain, Madagascar, Uruguay, Scotland, and the US. Age: Mentioned in Hellenistic Greece, from the 4th to the 1st century BCE. Family: Quartz Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing Properties: As a symbol of the sun, citrine is linked with wisdom and joy, and is well-regarded for helping to relieve depression, improving memory, and opening intuitive channels of knowledge and creativity. It is linked with helping writer’s unblock. Health-wise, it aids the kidney, liver, and heart and helps to remove bodily toxins. Fun Facts/Stories: … [Continue reading]
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