Opal, October's birthstone, is known for its breathtaking “play of color.” This “play of color” is created by miniscule silicone spheres which bend the light passing through the gem. Each stone displays an array of different colors including stunning reds, greens, and blues. Its beauty is enhanced when set against darker minerals such as ironstone, basalt, or obsidian.
What is the difference between 10K, 12K, 14K and 18K gold?
When gold comes out of the ground it is considered nearly pure and referred to as 24kt pure gold. Gold is mixed with alloys to add durability and strength. How much alloy is mixed in determines the purity. 18K gold has 18K of gold and 6k of alloys to make up the 24k. 14K has 14K of gold and 10K of alloy, 12k has equal parts of gold and alloy, and 10 is predominantly alloy with 10K of gold and 14k of alloy.
Turquoise is a favorite stone to many, and those born in December are fortunate to have it as their birthstone. The highly praised stone exudes exotica and elegant charm, as it has for thousands of years...
Diamond is widely recognized as the perfect anniversary gift for one's 60th year (or any!), and is also the birthstone for April babies. Diamond has been enchanting millions of people for centuries. During the Middle Ages, diamond was believed to carry several healing properties. It is said to cure brain and stomach related illnesses. As an amulet, diamond was thought to protect its wearer from poison and all forms of diseases and was commonly suggested to be worn while asleep. Diamonds are usually thought of as being colorless, but they may occur in nearly any color in the rainbow, as well as pink, brown, gray, and black. They may be transparent, translucent or opaque in form. The value of a...
Pearl, June's birthstone, is a gem that is readily identifiable. Associated with royalty and the rich, pearl necklaces, pearl rings, and pearl earrings, as well as clothing with lines of pearls stitched into them, have been worn for centuries by queens, diplomats, and movie stars. There are two kinds of pearls, natural pearls and cultured pearls. Natural pearls are found through pearl hunting, an activity that no longer exists. Pearls are created inside mollusks that live in the sea. Beds of mollusks would be identified and scooped up from the ocean bottom. Unfortunately, not every mollusk contains a pearl. The creation of a pearl occurs by chance in nature. Therefore, even if a few hundred mollusks were uprooted, the pearl...
