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| Aquamarine |
| |
| Greenish Blue to Blue |
| Heated to change to Aquamarine blue. |
| Beryllium Alu Silicate |
| 7.5 |
| Hexagonal |
| March |
|
| |
Aquamarine means “sea water” and is a member of the Beryl family of stones as is Emerald. The color ranges from very light to medium light blue. It is often heated to enhance the coloration and the treatment is permanent.
Aquamarine influences married couples. Its power to help husbands and wives work out their differences and ensure a long and happy marriage makes it a good anniversary gift.
Aquamarine deposits are found on all continents. The most important ones are in Brazil (Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Esperito Santo). |
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 |
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| Blue Topaz |
| |
| Pale, Light Blue to Dark Blue |
| Heated to change to Aquamarine blue. |
| Fluor containing aluminum silicate |
| 8.0 |
| Orthorhombic |
| December |
|
| |
The word “Topaz” comes from a Sanskrit word meaning heat or fire. Topaz is transparent and translucent, with a vitreous luster, and high specific gravity. Topaz occurs in cavities within granite or rhyolite igneous rock, pegmatite dikes, high temperature quartz veins, and/ or alluvial deposits.
Blue Topaz soothes and tranquilizes, calming both the body and mind.
Blue Topaz can be obtained from Brazil and Sri Lanka. |
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| Citrine |
| |
| Yellow to Orange |
| Heated to alter color. |
| Silicon dioxide |
| 7.0 |
| Hexagonal and Trigonal |
| November |
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| |
"Citrine” comes from the french reference to lemon color. It is one of the most affordable gemstones. Citrine includes yellow to gold to orange-brown shades of transparent quartz.
It is said to bring out the desires of happiness, wealth, success and communication of the wearers.
Citrine is found in Myanmar (Burma), Russia, and Brazil. |
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| |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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| D |
3.0 |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.9 |
7.4 |
7.8 |
8.2 |
8.8 |
9.4 |
| H |
1.8 |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
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Internally Flawless IF
Free from internal blemishes visible under 10x magnification
(small external details tolerated) |
Very Very Slightly included VVS
Inclusions and/or external blemishes very difficult to locate under 10x magnification |
Very Slightly included VS
Inclusions and external blemishes difficult to locate under 10x magnification |
Slightly included SI
Inclusions and external blemishes easy to locate under 10x magnification |
Included I
Medium or large inclusions and/or external blemishes which are usually visible with the naked eye under favorable lighting conditions. |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
D-E-F
Colorless |
G-H-I-J
Near colorless |
K-L-M
Faint tint |
N-O-P-Q-R
Light tint,
tint is somewhat
visible to naked eye |
S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Tinted,
Usually yellow to a
light shade of brown,
shade clearly visible to the
naked eye |
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|
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| Emerald |
| |
| Yellow Green to Blue Green |
| Oil is used to improve appearance. |
| Beryllium Al Silicate |
| 7.5 – 8.0 |
| Hexagonal |
| May |
|
| |
Emeralds are a gemstone from the Beryl family of stones. Its characteristic emerald green color came from traces of chromium in the crystal matrix. Inclusions caused by calcite deposits are typical in emeralds. Color saturation and hue are the biggest factors in determining the value of an emerald.
Emeralds are precious gems that promote creativity and perception. They symbolize serenity, success in love, wealth, happiness and peace of mind.
Emeralds are mostly from Colombia and occasionally obtained from Zambia and Brazil. |
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 |
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| Garnet |
| |
| Deep Red, also Green, Orange, Pink and Purple. |
| None |
| Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicate |
| 7.0 – 7.5 |
| (Cubic) Rhombic |
| January |
|
| |
Garnet is a naturally occurring gemstone. Its name comes from Latin "Granatus" meaning seed. Garnet is the name which can be applied to six similar mineral species, namely almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite. To further complicate matters, many garnets are actually a combination of these minerals. Rhodolite Garnet, for instance, is a combination of almandine and pyrope and is sometimes referred to as pyrope-almandine garnet. There are also many trade names and other commonly used names such as Rhodolite, Tsavorite, and Mozambique which only add to the confusion.
Garnet is a symbol of friendship, love and devotion.
Garnet is found in Africa, Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and the USA. |
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 |
 |
| Moonstone (Orthoclase) |
| |
| White, Gray, Brown, Yellow, Orange, Green, or Pink |
| None |
| Potassium aluminum silicate |
| 6.0 |
| Monoclinic |
| June |
|
| |
Moonstone is a reliable stone that has been described as "Mother Earth." It is a soft milky white stone and is usually polished as a cabochon.
Moonstone helps to soothe and balance the emotions.
It can be found in Brazil, European Alps, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and USA (Pennsylvania and Virginia). |
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 |
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| Opal |
| |
| Rarely impregnated with colorless oil, wax and resins |
| None |
| Hydrous Silicon Dioxide |
| 5.0-6.0 |
| Amorphous |
| October |
|
| |
Opal is created by percolating water in or near sedimentary volcanic ash that dissolves silica of shells, bones and wood, “fossilizing” them into opal. It is not a particularly hard stone so care must be taken to preserve the natural beauty of this gem.
Opal is truly the “Queen of Gems”, a stone of hope, positive actions and achievements.
It can be found in Western USA, Mexico, Australia and many other localities around the world. |
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 |
 |
| Pearl |
| |
| White, Brown, Silver, Cream, Black or Pink |
| Treated in bleaching, dyeing, or with radiation. |
| Calcium carbonate |
| 3.0 |
| Orthorhombic |
| June |
|
| |
Pearl is formed in shellfish as a reactant to an irritant such as a piece of sand. Cultured pearls are created by adding a piece of mussel or shell inside of an oyster or mussel. This creates a pearl as layers of the inside of the shell grow over the added substance. Natural pearls are the most expensive, followed by cultured pearls. Cultured freshwater pearls tend to be relatively more inexpensive than saltwater cultured pearls. Pearl is a classic piece of jewelry.
Pearl symbolizes love, success, and happiness. They often symbolize a happy marriage and in many countries are used as a wedding gift.
Cultured freshwater pearls are harvested in countries such as China and Japan. |
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 |
 |
| Ruby |
| |
| Pink Red to Purple Red |
| Heat is used to alter color. |
| Aluminum Oxide |
| 9.0 |
| Trigonal |
| July |
|
| |
A Ruby is actually a Sapphire that is red in color. Trace amounts of chromium give Rubies its bright red color. Rubies in larger sizes are rare and valuable. Top qualities of Rubies are highly priced.
Ruby is called Ratnaraj in Sanskrit language, or king of precious stones. It symbolizes the sun, freedom and power.
Rubies are obtained from Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Sri Lanka. |
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| Peridot |
| |
| Light Green, Dark Green, Olive Green, Yellow |
| None |
| Magnesium iron silicate |
| 7.0 |
| Orthorhombic |
| August |
|
| |
Peridot is among the oldest known gemstones. Peridot is a gem-quality transparent variety of olivine. The peridot was regarded since ancient times as the symbol of the sun.
Some of the finest peridot stones are called “evening emeralds” because they appear greener under artificial light.
Peridot can be bound in Burma, Norway, Brazil, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Australia, Mexico, and United States. |
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 |
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| Tourmaline |
| |
| Pink and Green |
| Heated to change to the desired permanent Aquamarine blue. |
| Beryllium Alu Silicate |
| 7.5 |
| Trigonal |
| October |
|
| |
Tourmaline is a bright and beautiful gemstone that can be found in just about any color. Protect tourmaline from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes.
Pink Tourmaline promotes female balance. Green Tourmaline promotes male balance.
Tourmaline is found in Africa, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and USA. |
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|
 |
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| Sapphire |
| |
| Green Blue to Violet Blue |
| Heat is used to produce or alter color. |
| Aluminum Oxide |
| 9.0 |
| Trigonal |
| September |
|
| |
The word sapphire comes from the Latin “Sapphirus,” which means blue. Sapphire is in the corundum class of minerals. The presence of trace impurities of iron and titanium is responsible for the beautiful, vibrant, deep blue color.
Sapphire also comes in a rainbow of colors such as pink, orange, green, purple, gold, yellow and white.
Most sapphires are enhance by heat to improve color and clarity. This enhancement is permanent, requiring no special care. Our sapphires come from Australia, Thailand and Madagascar and Africa. |
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 |
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| Turquoise |
| |
| Sky Blue to Green |
| none |
| Hydrated Phosphate of copper and aluminum |
| 6.0 |
| Hexagonal |
| December |
|
| |
Turquoise is a vibrant light blue stone. It is formed by the percolation of ground water through aluminous rock in the presence of copper.
Turquoise is believed to bring happiness and good fortune to all. It has been extensively used by both southwestern US Native Americans since about 200 B.C.
Majority of the world’s finest-quality turquoise comes from the United States (Arizona, California and New Mexico). |
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|
 |
 |
| Tsavorite |
| |
| Light to Deep Green |
| none |
| Calcium, aluminum silicate |
| 7.0-7.5 |
| (cubic) Rhombic |
| September |
|
| |
Tsavorite is the name given to the rich green variety of grossular garnet.
It is among the most expensive of all garnet. It is caused by the presence of chromium and vanadium. It is very rare to find Tsavorite in sizes larger than five carats, and most faceted stones are below two carats.
Tsavorite is said to facilitate meditation and to enhance spiritual awareness.
It can be found in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. |
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