Citrine Gemstone

The citrine gemstone is a warm and beautifully golden stone of quartz. It is available in hues of orange and gold and yellow so gorgeous and rich and clear that they will take your breath away. It is the stone for the month of November, the birthstone of Scorpio, but its wear should never be limited to November birthdays. Its name is from the French citron, meaning yellow, and it brings every nuance to its name and color.

This amazing stone has a hardness of 7 and so is quite resistant to scratches and scarring. It is among the least expensive of the gemstones, but glistens and shimmers with a lovely translucent glow.

Citrine has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. Some biblical scholars believe that Aaron, the brother of Moses, used citrine as one of the stones in his breastplate. Aaron served as the high priest and his breastplate was inlaid with 12 stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel. Many believe this is the instigation of birthstones.

As for any supernatural properties, citrine is thought to be important in relieving depression and aiding in digestion. Some people believe citrine to be a healing stone, mending the heart kidney and liver and aiding in the treatment of diabetes. Some folks think that citrine attracts wealth. It is called the "Merchant's Stone." Some merchants and shop owners place a citrine stone close to the cash register, or even inside it, hoping that it will bring great positive cash flow into their lives and work.

Citrine is a well loved gemstone whose beauty can enhance any style in any venue. Care for your citrine gemstone jewelry gently, despite its hardness. It is still best to stay away from ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners. Just clean your jewelry with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Your gorgeous citrine gemstone should last a lifetime.

A Guide to Birthstones - Part One

For hundreds of years, civilizations have associated precious gems and stones with birth dates. This originated from hundreds of years of religion, culture and folklore. Each stone has different properties and myths, which have been with certain months of the year. You can find birthstones on jewellery websites and in local and high street jewelers.

January's stone is Garnet, a protector of those on a journey. It symbolises one's love and wish of well being for those on a voyage. Therefore, it has been considered an appropriate going away present, as well as a gift for those starting out their journey in life. Garnet itself means 'seed' because of its aesthetic likeness to the pomegranate seed. This succulent and vibrant gem promotes a sense of vitality and life. In fact, what is most unique about this gem is that you can find it a multitude of vibrant colours, due to its natural mixture with other elements.

February's stone, the amethyst, is a stabilising force. It has in the past been associated with royalty, sobriety and spirituality. It was once considered to be even above diamonds, due to its emblematic nature as a protector. It was also believed that this stone could give you the power and strength to overcome difficult challenges in life, as well as strengthen relationships. As a symbol of power and personal strength, this hazy purple gem is a wonderful suitor for engagement or commitment rings.

March's gemstone is a mineral associated with the sea due to its mixtures of blue and green. Aquamarine literally means 'water' and 'sea' in Latin, and has been used by sailors as protective talisman during voyage across the wild and untamable sea. For many, this gemstone promotes security and safety in a long term relationship - and can even reawaken passion! Due to these connotations it is often given as a anniversary present. March, unlike the prior months, has an alternative stone -Bloodstone - a gem that is deemed to mean 'courage' because of the belief that Christ's blood was spilt onto the stone.

A History of Gemstone Earrings

Crystal earrings known to us today are not a modern creative invention. These date back to 2500 BC when they were regarded as an accessory for only the elite or royal classes. In those times, such jewelry was extremely expensive and beyond the purchasing power of the masses. The first ever earrings discovered by archaeologists were in Iraq. In the past, there were not many varieties of earrings available: hoops and ear plugs were the only types commonly worn.

With the passage of time, these remarkable jewelry items gained popularity and styles changed, undergoing significant modifications. They remained the symbol of glitz and glamour and retained their popularity as an object of making a style statement on different occasions. Starting from more basic shapes, the trend for more dangling types took over the fashion and jewelry industry.

The trend of clip-ons became popular around the 1950s. These did not require getting your ears pierced and therefore were a much desired accessory amongst children, young and old women alike. The modifications continued but it was not until the 1960s that more creative styles and lighter designs were introduced. Within the next decade, crystal earrings had gained so much popularity that almost every woman had a couple of pairs in her jewelry collection. It was also during the same time that clip-ons went out of fashion and their market share was taken over by long dangling types.

Since that time, many different styles and types of these jewelry items have been created. These include hoops, dangling, chandelier and simple crystal studs. Studs are also liked by some men. However, those for women are available in a great variety of different colored crystal stones like deep purple, emerald green, ocean blue crystals, rose crystals, white or clear crystals and black ones.

Designs are given great attention and symmetry is given a high concern because uneven weight and irregular shapes with sharp edges are highly uncomfortable to wear, even for a short time. Moreover, cheaper imitations of real crystals have now been created which are made of glass, plastic or similar materials. This makes them highly affordable to purchase no matter how little you are willing to spend.

In short, these jewelry items have seen a remarkable trend of evolution since they were first created, leading to their immense popularity amongst a majority of women today.

Jewelry on Academy Award 2009

Emerald

Angelina Jolie wore huge emerald earrings and a matching ring, both designed by Lorraine Schwartz.The gemstones in these two pieces of jewelry were so large and so well matched, it is impossible toeven imagine how expensive these pieces are – probably in the millions of dollars. Some estimates run at $20 million.

Jolie wore an emerald solitaire on the index finger of her right hand that appeared to be antique cushion cut, which is a modified rectangular shape. The twist to this ring is that the stone is turned at a 90-degree angle so that it’s set on the ring mounting forming a diamond shape rather than a rectangular one.

The emerald drop earrings consisted of two large emeralds; the emerald on the post mirrored the mounting shown on the ring and was about ¼ the size of the briolette shaped emerald drop.

Sapphire

Freida Pinto wore a classic pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings. The stud of the earring consisted of a round diamond. The drop was briolette (teardrop) in shape with diamonds outlining a center set sapphire. She looked lovely.

Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire

Amy Adams covered the three precious colored gemstones bases in a Fred Leighton vintage 1950s bib style necklace. Different sizes of the colored gemstones, with diamond thrown in, were connected in spider web formation. This necklace was so ornate; no other jewelry was needed or worn.

The necklace was paired with a red dress. Red and green are complimentary colors, however there was so much going on with the dress and the necklace that the overall affect was disharmonious. There was no real focal point to the outfit, which is needed when pairing colors so the eye darted about. Not a good combo.

Diamonds

Penelope Cruz looked fabulous in diamond earrings and matching necklace. The earrings were a round diamond solitaire. The necklace was very Wilma Flintstone with round diamonds strung in a graduated fashion. It sat directly on the collarbone. Graduated means the round diamond front and center was the largest ,with the diamonds traveling back around the necklace gradually decreasing in size.

Taraji P. Henson also sparkled in diamonds. She wore a vintage 19th-century Fred Leighton diamond necklace. The collar of the necklace was low choker style. From the collar of the necklace hung five drops set with many diamonds. Each drop was chrysanthemum in shape.

Completing the look was a diamond and ruby ring she wore on her middle finger. As she carried a ruby red silk fabric clutch in the same hand, the overall effect was stunning.

Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise is considered as a blessed stone that have been cherished and praised by mainly the native Mexican Indians & Americans. Many jewelers have published numerous books on crafts and culture implied through the turquoise stones and jewelry.

For centuries mans fascinations have has been consistent on turquoise stones. The stone of turquoise is a natural stone which has various shades between the ranges of blue to yellow. It is very significant not only for its ornamental but healing property also. The stone is found in country like Iran, China, Persia, Egypt, and Turkey. The color of stone is generally determined by different minerals present nearby the stones. The more presence of iron gives it a greenish tinge while copper adds blue color to the stone. And when zinc is presents the turquoise stone is found to be more yellow color. There are many kinds of turquoise colored stoned present which are chiefly employed in making unique ornaments.

Sleeping Beauty a very special beauty in stones is the lightest shade of sky blue color and is mined from the Beauty mines in the state of Arizona is incorporated in traditional jewelry and gives esthetic value as a precious stone.

Another Stone named White Buffalo Turquoise is also a marvelous kind of stone which is also used in jewelry are mined in the caves of Nevada. These are also very expensive and they add charismatic effect to the jewelry produced by the latest designers. The jewelry engraved using these stones are very rare and expensive as they are only found at caves of Nevada and if finished from there it will be lost for ever. People with subtle taste can only adore these jewels.

Persian turquoise also used chiefly in jewelry ever since primeval era mainly found in the Iran mines with gorgeous stone. It ranges in variety of color from pale green to sky blue. Many antique paintings are a proof that these were especially employed in all emperor jewelry to give them significant effect required.

Maintenance of the turquoise jewelry

Very special cares is employed to all the clean and preserve all turquoise jewelry since these stones are very porous. It is a popular belief that due to this reason only the stone has preserved it value till date. Whenever cleaning the stone you should take care to gently wipe the stone very gently with a soft cloth. A turquoise jewelry should never be submerged in any liquid to cleanse it because it is very porous and this liquid will cause deterioration in the value of the stone and the designed jewelry. The only gentle method of cleansing turquoise jewelry is to carefully clean the jewelry by making a rounded tip of any clean cloth and dip it in cleansing soap solution. Turquoise jewelry is never cleaned from any chemical or ultrasonic cleaners. So always respect your priced possessions. Whether turquoise jewelry is a traditional and antique heirloom or a recent formation modeled on conventional styles, turquoise jewelry is always considered a priced possession and a treasure for life time.

Sterling Silver Gemstone Jewelry

The little girls stared at the sterling silver gemstone jewelry in the case at the store. The small lights perfectly positioned within the showcase made the fifty dollar necklaces jump with so much life, it was as if they cost five thousand dollars. The young girls began to be whisked away in their imaginations as they talked back and forth about how they would like wear such glorious necklaces on their wedding day when all eyes would be just on them for a few hours. The store clerk wore a bemused smile as she also remembered a time when she often stared at wholesale silver gemstone jewelry in her grandfather's small trading post in the southwest. She remembered not the bright lights of an expensive showcase, but rather the pride in her grandfather's eyes as he pulled out the cases of sterling silver gemstone jewelry from his small safe in the back of his store. Her grandfather had made every piece by hand, and when each piece was sold, he asked the customers where they were from, so that he could envision where the handiwork was headed.

The term sterling silver is a term to describe the precious metal that has been mixed with copper in a 92.5/7.5 ratio. Copper is the one metal that doesn't harm the color of this precious metal in that proportion, which is needed to give the metal a degree of hardness. The precious metal that is pure is quite soft and malleable, and can be damaged very easily, so for certain jewelry pieces, copper is employed for longevity. Adding copper to this precious metal in that proportion does not affect the price of gemstone pieces. Instead, this precious metal jewelry is priced by the intricacy of design and quality of the craftsmanship. The popularity of this precious metal appeared to be at its height from 1870 to 1920 when the metal appeared in everything from jewelry to flatware. Since the Victorian period dictated that there should be a separate fork, spoon and knife for every course, societal dictates did not call expectations unreasonable to find three or four or more of the same utensil at every place setting.

The term silver plating ought to be a term meaning "run and hide from anything with that moniker." If a well meaning person gives you a silver coated fishing pole because that person thinks you have everything, thank them and smile, but soon it will be black. Plated fashion accessories with this metal is a recipe for disaster, because the precious metal will soon show its true colors, and it won't be the gray we are used to seeing. So if there is a thirteen year old boy reading this blog that wants to give a first girlfriend a piece that is plated with this precious metal, don't do it! Wait till you are eighteen, then give her something in a sterling silver gemstone piece, or find some wholesale silver gemstone jewelry. One will be very surprised how much things change in five years. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

This precious metal has always been the metal for the common man. It is very common and therefore the cost is very reasonable. A trip online to price wholesale silver gemstone jewelry will find the surfer discovering gemstone pieces for as little as four dollars from a wholesale outlet. From more high end retailers, beautiful jewelry with gemstones from all over the world including amethyst, topaz, larimer, pearl, jasper, garnet and citrine and almost twenty other gemstones. These delicately made pieces are much pricier, but far more beautiful than the wholesale sterling silver gemstone jewelry mentioned earlier. Again, the price of sterling silver doesn't vary, because the real thing is always advertised as true 92.5, or ninety two and a half silver, seven and a half percent copper. It is the intricate work, the details and the craftsmanship that makes the price of fashion pieces made from this precious metal rise.

Wholesale silver gemstone jewelry comes from a number of countries around the world, including Spain, Italy and the United States, but the greatest supplier is the country of Thailand. There are a number of websites originating in Thailand that offer beautiful sterling silver gemstone jewelry at very reasonable prices, as well as American websites with competitive pricing also. There are also many sites that are helpful in ways to clean precious metal jewelry, but often differ in the advice give. Some recommend the commercial metal cleaners, while others advice to use only something like baking soda. With gemstones as part of the items being cleaned, it might be more advised to stay with something like baking soda.

Our young girls continued to stare at the pieces in the case. From across the store, the grandmother who had brought them watched as a spectator might carefully watch the movement of athletes on a field. One of the great joys of this woman's life was observing the stages of the granddaughters' life unfold. She was careful not to disturb the wondrous moment and at the very last moment, came up behind the two and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. The girls pointed out the necklaces and told the woman of their dreams. The grandma did the magical thing and bought a necklace for each of the girls, but said she would keep the fashion pieces at her house until they were old enough to take care of their possessions. When they arrived back home, she made the young ones sit down and write about the new items they now owned.

Sixteen years later, when both girls were engaged, the now aged woman pulled out the little box in which each necklace had been kept. Included in the box, folded up tightly were the letters the girls had written. The stories told of dreams in a future time now here. The girls wept at the amazing memory both had forgotten. Sterling silver gemstone jewelry was pinned to two wedding dresses that may have seemed out of place, but very much belonged.

Gem Stone Gold Jewelry

Gem stone and gold nugget jewelry has a special appeal to those who love the beauty of nature compressed into a natural stone or shiny metal. Many online stores offer unique pieces that are made with nuggets from Alaska and gems from Sri Lanka. Gemstones are many and varied including diamonds, opals, sapphires, onyx, emeralds and rubies. They have held the awe of royalty and peasantry alike throughout the centuries of monarch rule in England and continue to grab the attention of anyone today who appreciates nature at its finest. Collectible pieces such as watches, necklaces, rings and bracelets made with gold and gemstones are a prized and sometimes rare possession in many people's jewelry boxes.

The creativity of God is seen in even the smallest elements sometimes and gem stone gold jewelry is not an exception. "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious...He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion." (Psalm 111:2,3a,4) Made from carbon that is compressed, diamonds are one of the hardest of all natural gemstones. Dazzling, diamond gemstones come in various colors including yellow, blue, green, orange and an almost black. Colors such as red, green, and blue are among the rarest of all diamonds and are certainly the most expensive to purchase. Diamonds are cut in such a way as to release the natural sparkle that occurs when light hits the stone.

Some stones come in varying degrees of clarity and can be purchased as flawless. This particular gemstone has been used for many years as the gift of choice for romantic occasions such as engagements, anniversaries and just because. Far from the gold rush days, but not too far to enjoy gold nugget jewelry, many consumers also appreciate customized pieces that are made from mined nuggets from Alaska, North Carolina, Virginia, California or the goldfields of Australia. While the amount of precious metal mined today has vastly dropped from the boom of yesteryear, there are still nuggets found today that are made into beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry.

In fact, some mines have become tourist attractions and may even offer to set a nugget into a piece of jewelry for anyone who mines it! Gold nuggets are rare and most gold that is mined is not found in nugget form, so many of the pieces are not melted or shaped, but left exactly as is. A designer then forms a setting around the particular shape and produces a one of a kind decoration that many people who value uniqueness will be glad to purchase. Gold nugget jewelry strikes the interest of many who like natural, earthy designs such as pieces from a Western look or a Native American design.

Many jewelers that produce nugget jewelry may provide a certificate of authentication with each piece and guarantee the authentic metal properties of the gold. Just as South Africa is known for its diamond mines, so is Australia known for its gold minds. Gem stone gold jewelry from either of these countries accrues in value for years to come. The one interesting note about natures production of gems and nuggets is the fact that no one item is ever alike. This makes these pieces an especial treasure for just about anybody who knows they have a piece of jewelry that no one else in the world has. Men and women can both enjoy wearing the simplicity of gem stone gold jewelry in just about any style and any type of piece.

Pendants, belt buckles, money clips, earrings and tie tacks can all be purchased sporting an onyx, emerald, diamond or amethyst set in white or yellow gold. There are many semi-precious stones as well that have captured the interest of buyers such as the garnet which comes in every color except blue. It is not as hard as a diamond or some of the other precious stones, but is very popular and symbolizes the stone for those born in February. Its traditionally dark, red color is used in rings and necklaces and is more commonly found in men's rings.

There are many other stones that are made synthetically through a chemical process that hardens and produces reflective color very similar to what is found in authentic gem stone gold jewelry. No matter how close a synthetic stone gets to an original, however, the value and beauty is almost never the same. So, whether choosing gold nugget jewelry or gemstone pieces, check for authentication, guarantees and warranties when considering any jewelry purchase. Wearing a piece of God's natural creation can be a small reminder of the awesome, creative power that He possesses and the time that He has taken to form something so beautiful.

Heart Birthstone Necklace

An elegant, eye-catching heart birthstone necklace dangles from the neck of a manikin in a store front display window, its beautiful sapphires blazing like the ocean at noon from the white gold pendant suspended on a nine inch chain. On the busy street outside, a man pauses at the window, thinking suddenly of his wife whose September birthday is only two weeks away; without another moment's hesitation he enters the store, buys the item, and hurries home, eager for his wife's special day. Of course, the woman loves it--everyone loves birthstone gifts; it is the one birthday jewelry item that never fails to please. A birthstone charm necklace is an excellent, thoughtful way to let the wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, or friend know how singular and how loved she really is. Gemstones have traditionally been thought to hold special meaning and have been used since Biblical times to make special designations, as in the making of the priests' garments for the Tabernacle: "In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper...There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel" (Exodus 39:10-14).

Almost every woman can remember opening a gift box containing a heart birthstone necklace at some time in life, usually when she was a little girl; she remembers how her breath caught at how beautiful the gold or silver was, how she touched the gemstone that signified her month of birth with awe and appreciation, and how she wore the special gift every day until it was lost or the chain snapped in half. There is simply something very memorable and touching about birthstone jewelry, which is why it is always a perfect choice for a female of any age. Adolescent girls and teenagers will appreciate a delicate silver chain with a heart pendant studded with gemstones; new mothers will love a birthstone charm necklace containing a baby booty with their new arrival's special stone in it; and a sentimental girlfriend will relish paired hearts accented with her and the boyfriend's names and birthstones. There are endless choices for a woman in any station of life, no matter what her fashion tastes may be.

One popular gift idea for mothers is to buy a heart birthstone necklace that contains the individual gemstones of each of her children. These can usually be purchased at department and jewelry stores with up to seven or nine stones, and, of course, there are always stores willing to customize if more stones are needed. Sisters will love receiving matching necklaces with each of their sibling's stones included. Of course, proud grandmothers would love to try to fit all twelve of their grandchildren's gemstones onto one necklace, so a charm item may solve this dilemma. There are many different ways to wear the gemstones of one's beloved, whether a shopper is looking for something cute, elegant, or uniquely trendy.

The first step in choosing this kind of jewelry is selecting the appropriate stone; gemstone options vary according to ancient, traditional, and modern standards. This is actually a very good circumstance because it may give people who do not like their standard birthstone color a few choices. The modern designations are as follows: garnet for January, amethyst for February, aquamarine for March, diamond for April, emerald for May, pearl for June, ruby for July, peridot for August, sapphire for September, opal for October, citrine for November, and topaz for December. Shoppers hoping to find another stone for their birth month should do a little online or in-store research, as they may discover a different option that better suits their taste and budget. For example, an October birthday girl who doesn't like opals might prefer pink tourmaline for a personalized birthstone charm necklace.

As always when shopping for gemstones, buyers need to be aware of the different types of stones; most important is the stone's origin. Natural gemstones come to the buyer straight from the earth, only cut, polished, and affixed to a jewelry setting--these are generally the most expensive because they are already high-quality and don't need to be altered in any way by humans. Still, a stone can be genuine without being natural; this simply means that it has been treated to improve its appearance, either by heat, radiation, laser, diffusion, or some other laboratory process. Synthetic stones, however, are entirely human made and laboratory grown; generally, they are the least expensive. Synthetic stones are a good choice for shoppers on a budget, especially if the heart birthstone necklace is for a child, as young wearers tend to lose and break jewelry pretty easily.

Deciding on a birthstone charm necklace doesn't mean the shopping is over because the possibilities for such an item are endless. Pendants may come in the shape of hearts, crosses, rings, angels, shoes, or even figurines of children. Chains may be in yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, or platinum; and accented with diamonds, engravings, or other designs. In addition, shoppers will also find rings, earrings, bracelets, and more to match their specially chosen gift. One creative idea is to buy an entire set of birthstone jewelry, presenting its recipient with one piece at a time, perhaps at each holiday or life milestone: a necklace on her birthday, a ring at Easter, earrings at Christmas, a bracelet on graduation day.

Semi Precious Gemstone Jewelry

An endless variety of semi precious gemstone jewelry is sold on the Internet. A search will yield a great number of independent jewelry makers. Handmade gemstone jewelry is interesting because each designer brings his or her own special style and interpretation to the piece being fashioned. While the designs themselves may range from classic to outlandish, each item is influenced by the skill, personality and experience of its designer.

Traditionally, gems classified as precious were designated in this way because they were rare or had some type of ceremonial or religious significance. At first, these 'cardinal' gems were limited to five varieties: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and amethysts. However, after large deposits of amethysts were found in Brazil, the stone was no longer included in this category, for it was now much more available and could be afforded by the general public. There are more than 130 types of stones which are classified as semi precious these days. Some consider these categories outdated and useless, because the difference between the grades of the stones is not clear cut.

Diamonds have the only internationally accepted grading system. Yet a low quality diamond may be worth less than a piece of high quality semi precious gemstone jewelry. Therefore, value is a somewhat fluid concept. Most jewelers would suggest that budget and personal preferences lend greater appeal to a gem than the classifications do. In this regard, many couples are incorporating handmade gemstone jewelry in addition to, or even in place of, diamond engagement rings. These gemstone jewelry items are less expensive, which allows greater flexibility in choosing a high quality setting. This also allows couples to create a unique expression of their relationship.

Ring designs may vary. Some are simple solitary gemstones, while others are part of a group design. This is part of the appeal of semi precious gemstone jewelry -- it can be whatever the individual wants it to be. Couples can have artists create a truly unique piece of handmade gemstone jewelry. Sometimes, the ring is a starting point for a set of jewelry, which may be added to over time.

Even for more of a fashion piece, the lower price and greater availability of semi precious gemstone jewelry allows for items to be found in an array of styles. Thus, there is great emphasis on chosing an item which will fit one's own personality and expectations. Many sites which feature handmade gemstone jewelry include articles about the history and legends associated with each stone. Some even offer information about where the stones are mined and other information specific to each stone.

One aspect of the information which may be troubling to a Christian is that some sites are quick to promote the supposed healing qualities or other properties of this handmade gemstone jewelry. Although this is probably mostly a marketing technique used to attract potential buyers who may be susceptible to such claims, it is troubling in that if there are indeed any such medicinal properties to these gemstones, it is because they have been placed there by the Creator, much as certain plants have medicinal attributes for our good. Otherwise, one may be found guilty of giving the creation, rather than the Creator, credit for these attributes. In addition, such practices can be a gateway to participation in occult beliefs and practices. Instead, one should look to God's Word for guidance, and trust in His personal and providential care instead of ' luck' and 'good fortune'. After all, Jesus claimed that ...I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10.7-10) Who needs luck and fortune when one is under the providential care of the Creator?

The distinction between precious and semi precious gems is considered nearly meaningless these days. Actually, the concept itself is no older than the 19th century, and had more to do with economic realities than the actual value of the gems. As noted above, amethyst was reclassified after significant finds increased the supply of the formerly rare commodity. If that is the only qualification for inclusion in the 'precious' category, then the diamond should be considered semi precious gemstone jewelry. Diamonds are not rare, as is often supposed. A cartel controls the amount of diamonds allowed on the market. Originally, this was to safeguard the investment of financiers after a large amount of diamonds were discovered. Previously, the production of diamonds was small -- only a few pounds a year. However, with the discovery of a large amount of diamonds in South Africa in 1870, production rose into tons of the gem. Therefore, the cartel was needed to protect the investment. Also, an advertisement campaign to associate the diamond with love, courtship and marriage has been extremely successful, to the point where it became traditional to offer a diamond engagement ring. If diamonds have eluded the semi precious classification despite the fact that they are not rare, some 'semi precious' gems have migrated back and forth from the precious category. Pearl and opal once were considered precious, and to some extent enjoy a higher regard than other semi precious gems. Alexandrite, several varieties of garnet and tanzanite can be just as expensive as rubies and sapphires. Fine examples of tourmaline, spinel or aquamarine also command high prices. Since the distinction between the categories is nearly meaningless, the US Federal Trade Commission has considered banning the use of the term 'semi precious' to describe gems, in order to avoid confusion.

Tanzanite - 8 Truths To Note About This Unusual Gemstone

1. Did you know that while other gemstones can be found naturally in more than one country, Tanzanite is mined only in Tanzania. This makes Tanzanite even more exclusive. More precious.

2. Tanzanite is a modern gemstone. The newest one in fact as it was discovered in 1967.

3. Although Tanzanite is a vivid blue gemstone which looks a lot like sapphire, aesthetically, it has an advantage over coveted sapphire. Tanzanite's strong trichoism properties makes this a very interesting gemstone. From some angles, it appears blue. From other angles, it appears purple or brownish yellow. The most prized tanzanite stones have a lilac hue overlaying the beautiful blue shade.

4. Tanzanite was made popular by Tiffany and Company. In fact, Henry Platt of the New York Jeweler, Tiffany gave Tanzanite its name. If you love Tiffany jewelry, tanzanite is a gemstone to get.

5. Tanzanite is a blue version of zoisite. It is not very hard, being 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale (diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale). Hence, tanzanite should be handled with care. Do not put clean it in an ultrasonic bath. Do not let it come into contact with acids.

6. Tanzanite has an beautiful aura of mystery, with its deep blue color and purplish (lilac to violet) hues that give it a mysterious aura. Both are very cool colors and look fabulous with black and silver and other cool shades. Unfortunately, the brownish yellow hue, the third color in the mix clashes with the other two and is considered undesirable. However that brownish shade can be made to disappear by heating the stone.

7. The wholesale prices of Tanzanite have more than doubled from 2000 to early 2007. Back in 2000, the per carat wholesale price for tanzanite was $225. In early 2007, per carat wholesale prices of Tanzanite have risen to $500. Now, TanzaniteOne Ltd., a tanzanite company has established a DeBeers like hold on the tanzanite industry, which means prices of tanzanite are likely to soar.

8. Tanzanite is a December birthstone as declared by the American Gem Trade Association. It was the first first gemstone added to the list since 1912.