Semi-Precious Stones

When thinking of the most valuable gemstones on earth, Alexandrite would probably not jump to mind. But these amazing color change stones are so rare and beautiful that they can easily command $20,000 per carat for large top quality specimens. Fine large examples of this gem are so prized that even a one carat stone can sell for $10,000 per carat. How many gems share that lofty distinction?

A relative newcomer to the gem world, discovered in Russia in 1830 on the twelfth birthday of Czar Alexander II (hence the name) these stones exhibit a lush-grassy green in daylight and brilliant raspberry red under incandescent lighting. Red and green also happened to be the colors of the Russian Imperial Guard. Alexandrite was instantly believed to bear good omens.

The Russian source has long been depleted, and today's Alexandrite is predominantly produced in Sri Lanka. The quantity and size of alexandrite rough from Sri Lanka has been phenomenal, but the quality and brilliance of color change (Sri Lankan stones are more yellowish-green outdoors, and the red tends toward brown under artificial light) rarely measures up to the vivid hues found in Russia.

Unlike garnet and other stones with a color change variety, alexandrite will always exhibit a distinct change of color. Therefore, the more vivid each color and the more distinct the change, the more valuable the stone.

The true test of color change must be performed in a dark room with a single light source (preferably candlelight to bring out the red.)

Clarity also plays an important role in valuing alexandrite. Any flaws that block even color distribution will dramatically reduce the price.

On the other hand, inclusions are precisely what give cat's eye chrysoberyl its special effect. Although completely different in appearance, both cat's eye and alexandrite are from the mineral chrysoberyl. Tourmaline and other stones have a cat's eye variety, but the term when used alone always refers to chrysoberyl. Ranging from misty yellow to brownish-yellow, the most valuable hue is a rich-deep honey-yellow, and top quality specimens can fetch an impressive $5,000 per carat. Without the sharp eyes, though, the price can drop drastically to under $100 per carat.

As a member of the quartz family, amethyst is one of the most common, hence under-appreciated, gemstones on the market. Yet, its affordable beauty due to abundant availability also make amethyst extremely popular. A transparent rich lavender with flashes of red and pink at its finest, this birthstone for the month of February, and 6th wedding anniversary stone, will normally cost less than $100 per carat. Top quality specimens are found in Brazil and Zambia and will display an intense, deep-purple that is uniform throughout the stone. Color zoning and flaws that render a stone less than "eye-clean," greatly reduce value. It is estimated that over half of all amethyst on today's market is man-made, or a natural/man-made blend called "salted" amethyst. Amethyst can lose its color if heat treated, and care should be taken not to expose it to sudden temperature changes or overexposure to sunlight.

There are actually a number of gem quality quartz varieties available, of which amethyst is the crowned prince. Citrine, a yellow or orange quartz, is also quite popular. Partly because it is often sold as topaz, but also due to its marketability as the 13th wedding anniversary stone as well as being November's alternate birthstone. Almost all citrine is actually amethyst or smoky quartz (a brown or black variety) that has been heat-treated to produce its unique citrus glow.

Ametrine, the baby of the quartz gem family, appeared on the market just over a decade ago. Instantly a favorite, this purple and yellow zoned stone blends its colors in exotic patterns of breathtaking beauty.

Other varieties include the famous Rose quartz (pink) rock crystal (the colorless type that is seen everywhere) prasiolite (amethyst heated to yellowish green) drusy (small, shiny layers of crystals found in rock cavities) as well as opaque, satiny cat's and tiger's eye varieties, to name a few.

The name "quartz" comes from the Slavic "kwardy" for hard and has been used by humans since prehistoric times (evidenced by archeological finds of quartz tools and jewelry dating to 20,000 B.C.) Quartz has been revered for its magical powers for thousands of years, probably due to its electroconductitivy (squeeze one and it becomes charged, run a current through it and it vibrates with a frequency so stable, its synthesis is used to keep time in quartz watches.)

Amethyst and other quartz gemstones deserve a second look. At their finest, they can offer years of enjoyment, pleasure and compliments at very affordable prices.

For many years Iolite was predominantly employed as a cheap substitute for blue sapphire and tanzanite. Commonly referred to as water or lynx sapphire, these brilliant blue gemstones are one of the best buys on the market today. But don't procrastinate too long, for iolite is quickly gaining in popularity in its own right. Right now, you can still get high quality iolite for under $200 per carat. This is a bargain considering its naturally deep blue face-up appearance. This 21st wedding anniversary stone also claims a unique property that sapphire and tanzanite cannot claim: aside from facing-up sapphire blue, it will appear gray to yellowish or colorless from another direction and light blue or violet from yet another (an effect called trichroism.)

Iolite gets its name from the Greek, "ios" for violet, and ranges in color from deep blue to light blue, gray and yellowish blue-gray. The world's main resources for iolite are Sri Lanka, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma) Madagascar, Canada, India, Tanzania and Namibia. Some of the Sri Lankan iolite is called "bloodshot iolite" when a peculiar inclusion is present that causes a stone to appear red if viewed from certain angles. Iolite is generally "eye-clean" and is fairly hard (7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.)

Iolite has been found in ancient Columbian remains, and the Vikings used to use the stone as a compass on cloudy days as its trichroic qualities allowed them to find the sun through the fog.

So, if it's blue you want, check out this baby blue before it gets too popular. You just may find yourself way ahead of the pack.

The unique bottle-green of peridot has been treasured (even if Cleopatra thought they were emeralds) for almost 4,000 years. Originally mined solely on the Red Sea island of Saint John, Egypt, this birthstone for the month of August is now mostly produced in Arizona, Myanmar and Pakistan (source of the finest peridot ever seen.) Peridot is also the only gemstone on earth that has been found in meteorites!

A member of the olivine species, peridot, at its best, can be easily found for well under $300 per carat. This 16th wedding anniversary stone comes in a variety of shades from olive green to yellowish, brownish and a lively lime green. The purer the green, the higher the price. Typically, the presence of brownish tones will lower value. As opposed to the bright brilliance of emerald, top quality peridot green will have a more velvety or oily appearance. You should also consider clarity fairly closely when purchasing peridot. Make sure to examine the stones from the top, sides and bottom under various light sources. If you see black patches you should probably consider another stone.

Peridot is sometimes treated with oils or waxes for improved appearance. Be sure to ask your jeweler what treatments have been performed on any stone you are considering, and get them clearly written on your bill of sale.

Perhaps the Iranian monarchy knew something the rest of the world didn't know. For their Crown jewels enjoyed the largest collection of red spinel in the world. At their finest, red spinel rivals ruby in color, hardness and clarity, but for a fraction of the cost. You can have a top quality spinel for about $2,500 per carat. When you consider a comparable ruby would cost ten times that amount, it's a bargain.

The reason this 22nd wedding anniversary stone doesn't get the credit it deserves is partly due to its relative scarcity. There just isn't enough of it available to promote. Synthetic spinel is also frequently used for costume jewelry, so it gets a bad rap. Don't be fooled, spinel can be a beautiful, affordable alternative to red rubies as well as pink and blue sapphires.

Spinel is found in Myanmar (Burma, home of the world's finest rubies) Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Russia and Thailand and has been admired for its deep red glow since around 100 B.C. when it adorned a Buddhist tomb in Afghanistan.

Also available in pink, violet, orange, blue and rose, spinel is judged for value by color, clarity and carat weight. And since spinel is commonly flawless (eye-clean) gem quality specimens must be very clean. Make sure to examine the stones under various lighting sources from all angles for black patches or cracks which will dramatically reduce their value. But if it's ruby red you're after without going in the red, spinel is the way to go!

There was a time, in the not too distant past, when all yellow and almost all green gemstones were called topaz. Perhaps this is why topaz isn't appreciated as it should be. Another reason it is considered common is that blue and green topaz is so readily available that it can cost as little as $20 per carat. But the golden-orange variety displays red and pink overtones it is called "Imperial Topaz" and can sell for over $2,000 per carat. Imperial topaz is also November's birthstone as well as the 23rd wedding anniversary stone. Lacking the reddish overtones, however, the lofty moniker, and value, is lost.

This doesn't mean that top-grade red and pink topaz is worthless. On the contrary, when fine specimens of these hues are found, they can cost as much as spinel of equal quality.

Most topaz is mined in Brazil and comes out of the ground in shades of light brown. It is then heat treated until it turns a lovely shade of pink. When natural red, orange and pink topaz is found (mostly in Pakistan) it can have lovely brilliance and clarity.

A couple of things to be wary of:

1.Although very hard, topaz is also brittle, and can shatter with a single blow.

2.Much quartz is passed off as topaz on the market. Make sure to get "genuine topaz" clearly written on your bill of sale. Look out for names like "Bohemian Topaz," or "Occidental Topaz."

3.A lot of topaz is irradiated and heat treated for color change. Have all treatments printed on your receipt.

Other than that, there is no reason not to take advantage of the brilliant color and clarity available from this beautiful species of gemstone.

Everybody knows and loves the unique sky-blue of turquoise, but rarely is it thought of in the same light as other blue gemstones. Yet it is December's birthstone and the 11th wedding anniversary stone. Of course turquoise is most famous for its Southwest flavor and Aztec, Mexican lore. But it was also highly prized by ancient Egyptians who fashioned it into jewelry and offered it to the gods in burial ceremonies.

The highest quality and most precious blue turquoise is found in Iran, and other sources are Egypt, Turkistan and Mexico. And one might think that the stone would thrive in such arid climes. Interestingly, though, since turquoise is so porous, it will discolor from its famous blue to green or brown and dehydrate rapidly in such conditions. The top quality variety from Iran (where it is the national stone) on the other hand, tends to be more stable and its color can withstand the heat more readily.

Therefore, most all turquoise is treated with a type of plastic for durability and color maintenance. There is also a wax impregnation process for color enhancement. If you are about to purchase some expensive turquoise jewelry, find out if it has been treated and get "genuine untreated turquoise" clearly stated on your receipt if the dealer is making such claims.

Turquoise reached the pinnacle of its popularity in the 1970's when it was selling like "hoola-hoops," commanding thousands of dollars for pieces that now sell for about a tenth of those hey-day prices.

Welcome to the most thorough, yet concise and fun guide to aquamarine on the Internet. In the next few minutes, you can learn enough about these birthstones for the month of March to shop with complete confidence and peace of mind. Or simply get to know these beautiful cousins of emerald that sailors have looked to for courage since the days of ancient Greece.

The ideal color of aquamarine has changed over time. Prior to the 20th century, the greenish blue that is aquamarineÕs most common natural occurrence was most popular. Recent times have seen a rise in demand for deeper blues. Heat treatment successfully and safely removes the green from the gems, leaving them with sky-blue hues that are so prized.

Brazil produces more aquamarine than any other source, but richer blue stones are found in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia.

Aquamarine is naturally one of the most transparent of all colored gemstones. In fact, in the early 1900s a 243-pound stone was found in Brazil that was so clear you could read newsprint through it.

Welcome to the most informative, concise, and fun guide to garnets on the Internet. In the next fifteen minutes you can learn enough about these beautiful gemstones to shop with total confidence and peace of mind, or simply expand your colorful horizons.

Garnet is the gem of commitment and friendship. Records of its praises reach back to biblical lore, as it was the only source of light on Noah's Ark. Though misunderstood and often thought of as a low-priced red gemstone, the group of stones that make up the garnet family contain some of the most valuable gems in the world. And red is only the beginning. Garnet is available in more colors and varieties than almost any other gemstone. From green to purple to the unique mandarine orange, you will see colors in garnet that would make a ruby blush with envy. Prior to the 19th century, the main source of garnet was Czechoslovakia. In 1868, though, a vivid green variety was discovered in the mountains of Russia. Whether this source was depleted or the Russians simply closed the mines is open to debate. But somewhere around the beginning of the 20th century, these prized stones disappeared from the world market.

Now, from our Garnet Center Page, you can click on any subject you like and find out all the essentials to truly understanding this beautiful family of gemstones. We've even created a handy "Shopping checklist" that you can print out and take along with you on your exploration into the wonderful world of garnet.