Featured Gemstone: PERIDOT Peridot is the term for gem quality Olivine, a common mineral prevalent all over the earth. But unlike Olivine with is heavy and opaque, Peridot crystals are translucent and luminous! Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color: a yellow green. Peridot is also the birth stone on August. Volcanic activity frequently forms Peridot, and it is often found inside Lava! However, Peridot crystals have also been found inside Meteorites

Featured Gemstone: GARNET When most people think of Garnets a deep wine red gem comes to mind. The truth is that Garnets are a whole family (group) of gemstones that forms naturally in a wide range of colors including green, orange, yellow, purple, red and even black! While all varieties of Garnets have the same crystals structure, the component ingredients are variable, which is responsible for the array of different colors. The most iconic (and the most common) of which is

What is Gemology? Gemology is the scientific study of the gemstones. It uses the unique physical properties of gems to identify and measure each stones correctly, and ascertain its value. In addition to lots of training, a Gemologist has certain tools such as a microscope, refractometer, polariscope and spectrometer to aid the identification process. Diamond grading is another key function of a Gemologist, as the slight color variations and inclusions in a diamond can dramat

The purpose of this blog post is to extol the virtues of one of one of my favorite gemstones, Chrysoprase. Chrysoprase is a natural vivid green Chalcedony (cryptocrystalline silica) that can rage is color from a pastel mint green to a deep forrest green- but the most prized material is a translucent apple green. Its is used in jewelry in the form of beads, cabochons and occasionally faceted stones. It is a fantastic natural green alternative to Emerald or Jade, which are much

Tourmaline is a natural gemstone that come is a wide variety of colors. Tourmaline has a long history of use in jewelry, and was even instrumental in the 19th century when chemists were experimenting with the polarization of light. Tourmaline’s colors have many different causes. It’s generally agreed that traces of iron, and possibly titanium, induce green and blue colors. Manganese produces reds and pinks, and possibly yellows. Tourmaline forms in Pegmatites, hollow pockets

Sumarian Seal Ring with Rubies and Gold 2700 BCE The story of jewelry starts deep in human prehistory. Learning about the history of adornment is fascinating to me! It has ignited a feeling of connection to the past, knowing my love of jewelry was similar to my early ancestors.The oldest evidence of jewelry specific adornment dates back 82,000 years to the Grotte des Pigeons, in eastern Morocco where 13 carefully drilled Nassarius shells were discovered with distinct traces o

Welcome to my blog! It’s a place i hope to share my knowledge and enthusiasm about gemstones and antique Jewelry. I have been fascinated with gemstones since childhood, and I have worked in the business for ten years. I am a Gemologist, having completed a graduate program at GIA (the Gemology Institute of America http://www.gia.edu/ ). My study of gems has led me to towards a passion for antique jewelry. I love old jewelry for several reasons, foremost among them the level of