gem indentification

Your jade ring is a gem variety of either nephrite or jadeite. Although they are commonly thought to be the same, they are actually two different minerals and it is hard to distinguish one from the other. Jadeite and nephrite jade come in a variety of colors-dark and light shades of red, green, blue, white, black and lavender, to name a few. The most valuable and sought after color is...

Garnets are the birthstone for January. A deep red color is most common but they come in every shade of the rainbow except blue. As early as the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, garnets were popular. They have been found with their mummified corpses. Garnets were very popular in the 19th and 20th century and are a popular stone today because it is common and inexpensive. If you look hard...

Citrine is the birthstone for November and is the 17th year marriage anniversary gift.  This semiprecious stone whose name is derived from the French word citron meaning “the yellow of lemon”, is a most sought after stone and the clearer it is the more value it possesses. The best color is a saturated yellow to reddish orange with no hint of brown.  The larger the stone, the more golden it...

An amethyst ring is of the quartz variety and comes in shades of purple.  When looking for an amethyst ring, bracelet, pendant or earrings, you will want to look for a stone with a medium dark, strongly saturated reddish purple hue. It is the birthstone for February and the older popular beliefs offered by this stone are protection from drunkenness, protection against evil spirits and it is supposed to bring...