The red color of ruby stirs the emotions, and this stone is said to give the wearer extraordinary power. Today, Bangkok, Thailand is famous as the polishing and trade center for ruby, but back in 1940 there were only about 200 to 300 cutters, most polishing zircons. Full-scale polishing of Thai ruby only did not […]
Gem-quality rubies larger than 10 carats are rare beyond compare, surpassing diamond as the most expensive of all gemstones. The word “ruby” comes from the Latin rubeus, meaning “red.” Before 1800, red gemstones, including red spinel and the red garnets, were referred to as ruby. Ruby is corundum, the same mineral as sapphire, composed mainly […]
These rubies popularity has risen since 1993, after methods to bring out their color were discovered. Their brilliance is especially beautiful under incandescent lighting. Since 1993, after establishing themselves competitively, rubies from Mong Hsu in Myanmar have replaced Thai rubies as the market leader. The Mong Hsu region is located east of the central Myanmar […]
Blue gemstones seem to have the power to rouse sincerity, and wearing a sapphire is said to make a person speak truthfully. In ancient times, the world “sapphire” was used to refer to all blue stones, and until the Middle Ages “sapphire” referred primarily to lapis lazuli. Since the seventh century B.C., sapphire has been […]
Not only is there a difference in the beauty of Kashmir and Australian sapphires, the finest qualities of each differ in price by up to 100 times. Once the true beauty of Kashmir sapphire is appreciated, it cannot be forgotten. Around the year 1881, large quantities of sapphire were discovered in the Kashmir region of […]
When the natural crystal is beautiful, it requires no processing beyond polishing. The brilliance of an untreated Sri Lankan sapphire is in a class of its own. Traditionally, the most favored color for Sapphire is the rich and soft “cornflower blue” seen in Kashmir stones. Though there is virtually no mining in Kashmir now, sapphires […]
The rays of the star are said to represent Faith, Hope, and Destiny. People thought the ages have adored its unique and serene nature. It has been said that the three interesting rays of light in a star sapphire represent Faith, Hope, and Destiny. The overall appearance of the star sapphire in the photograph on […]
Though its history dates back only thirty years, this highly transparent blue gemstone possesses a beauty that may surpass even sapphire. The mining of blue zoisite started in the east African country of Tanzania in the 1960s. In 1967, Mr. Henry B. Platt, then president of Tiffany & Co. of the United States, named this […]
This gemstone has a rich history, and is said to bring prosperity. The common term “turquoise blue” is derived from its beautiful characteristic blue color. The history of turquoise is certainly a long one, with turquoise beads dating back to 5000 B.C. having been discovered in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). It was originally called callais, meaning […]
Why do the value of ruby, red spnel, and rhodolite-each one a beautiful red gemstone-differ? The reason is that they are different gemstone types. Each type of gemstone has its own unique beauty. Each has its own characteristic hue and appropriate tone level. In the case of hue, for example, the bluish coloration of a […]
The Buddhists believed that lapis lazuli dissolved ill will and allowed one to act with presence of mind. Adoring oneself with this gem is said to make a person sincere and trustworthy. In Latin, “lapis lazuli” means “blue stone.” However, the name “lapis lazuli” was not used until the Middle Age, and the ancient Greeks […]
In China, jade is believed to bring luck, fortune, and power. Jade is highly treasured by the young women of East Asia. “Jade” often refer to the gemstone jadeite, a typically green member of the pyroxene mineral group. It has only been about 200 years since significant quantities of jadeite were brought into China and […]
