What is a Padparadscha Sapphire?

  Who doesn’t love owning a beautiful sapphire gemstone? But you always need to know how to tell if a sapphire is real. It may take some doing, but thankfully, there is a sapphire test, so you can be sure. The allure of real sapphire is obvious. Its luxurious, rich blue color has drawn true collectors for centuries. But those who love sapphire know it also comes in a rainbow of vivid hues to tempt any sapphire lover. Yellow, orange, pink and green are but some of the exciting shades you’ll find in sapphire. With the emergence of man-made sapphire, you want to be certain you have an authentic sapphire. There are ways you can test at home to see if your sapphire is real. First, look inside the stone with a 10X loupe. If you see gas bubbles, it is synthetic sapphire. A scratch test is also performed using a material harder than sapphire (9 on the Mohs Scale) like a diamond. Stones softer than 9 will not be able to make a mark on a real sapphire. A simple breath test is often used, too, which is discussed in this article. Professional testing in a reputable gem lab is always a good idea. They have the proper instruments to thoroughly test the sapphire to determine its authenticity. LEIBISH Blue Sapphire Jewelry Set   Understanding Sapphires Earth-mined sapphires are called natural sapphires or genuine sapphires. But synthetic sapphires were created in a lab to replicate the characteristics of natural sapphires. Imitation sapphire look like but do not replicate the optical and physical properties of a natural sapphire. You’ve seen blue sapphires, but they are also found in a wide range of attractive natural colors, which are referred to as fancy-color sapphires. When natural sapphires do not have attractive coloration, they can be heat treated to improve both their color and their clarity, making them more salable.Learn more about Sapphire. Key Methods to Identify Real Sapphires Check for Flaws and Inclusions Like other natural gemstones, sapphires have inclusions which is one of the ways way professionals identify real sapphires. Expect to find feather-like inclusions and silk rutile throughout the stone. Color zoning of various strengths may be present, as are typical fingerprint inclusions. While synthetic sapphires are as hard as real sapphires, imitation look-alikes are quite softer. Perform a Breath Test Breathe on your sapphire until it completely fogs up. Count the seconds until it's completely clear—which should be one or two seconds. Longer than that, and you may have a fake sapphire. LEIBISH Royal Blue Oval Sapphire and Diamond Side Stone Ring Use the Scratch Test Make sure your scratch test is done safely—and only on your own gemstones. If the sapphire is not cut (called a rough or raw sapphire) you have greater liberty in scratch testing because the stone might be polished later on which will remove evidence of a scratch test. Nevertheless, look for the most inconspicuous spot to make a discreet test. If the sapphire is already cut an faceted, try the scratch test on the underside (pavilion) of the stone, and as close to the girdle as possible. This way it will not be noticed. With a diamond, make a minute scratch and then observe the results under a jewelers loupe. The diamond is 10 on the Mohs scale and will make a slight mark on real sapphire which is 9 on the Mohs scale. If you scratch with a softer stone—like emerald, aquamarine or topaz it will not affect a real sapphire. It will scratch an imitation sapphire, however. Observe Light Reflection In a darkened room shine a flashlight on the sapphire. A real, sapphire will reflect light that is identical to the color of the sapphire. But If it’s an imitation, meaning it is made of glass or another man-made material, it will reflect other colors besides the color of the gem. Examine for Air Bubbles Part of the manufacturing process for man-made sapphire includes the present of air bubbles. They are never present in real sapphire. But you may need to look carefully under a microscope or with a jewelers 10X magnifying loupe to see them. Take your time inspecting each surface to verify if the stone is a real sapphire—or not. Seek Professional Certification Graduate gemologists and laboratory professionals are your best sources of authentication of you sapphire. They have the expertise and the finest grading instruments to verify if you have a real sapphire, or some other man-made stones. The value and price of natural sapphires is always much greater that man made stones. With a lab report, you have the assurance in writing backed up by their authority that your stone is real, and it has the quality components identified.  LEIBISH 20.54ct Blue Sapphire  Conclusion Real sapphires are valuable and becoming more costly as time goes on. Genuine earth-mined sapphires are more rare than their man-made counterparts. So it’s important that collectors have a way of verifying their authenticity. That often means submitting the stone to a reputable grading lab. This brings peace of mind and provides proof of the sapphire being genuine and worth its value.

Gemstone enthusiasts not only love sapphire but are eager to learn more about how this stone acquired its jaw-dropping sparkle. Sapphire’s exquisite blue hues have made them an adored gemstone for centuries. To be clear, there is also a rainbow of other colors that belong in the sapphire family—and that variety is called Fancy Sapphire. Their colors are natural, so treating them properly is essential to bringing out all their luster. From the moment this stone is found, the raw sapphire gem is begging to become a polished sapphire. But how to polish raw sapphire is a recurrent concern.      LEIBISH Royal Blue Cushion Sapphire & Triangle Diamond Halo Ring   Understanding Raw Sapphires What are Raw Sapphires? Sapphires are a member of the corundum mineral family. When found underground or along riverbeds in their natural state, they are referred to as raw sapphire or rough sapphire. Characteristics of Raw Sapphire They may have a rounded shape like a pebble, which indicates they traveled a long distance through rivers or other waterbeds. They may also have straight sides with sharp edges when they are recovered from underground mining sites. Importance of Proper Handling of Raw Sapphire Depending on the particular stone, there are various ways of handling raw sapphire. Sapphire polishing is fun but knowing how to handle sapphire helps make the result more desirable. For instance, if the raw sapphire stone is water-worn—having a rounded exterior, it’s possible to smooth all the exterior surfaces out and make a cabochon stone or even one with a fully round and polished exterior. Otherwise, the raw sapphire can be faceted with flat high-polished surfaces resulting in a glamourous, sparkly jewel. LEIBISH Royal Blue Cabochon Burma Sapphire and Diamond Couture Ring   Tools for Polishing Sapphire If you’re an amateur gemstone enthusiast, you may want to begin sapphire polishing right away. Collect a tumbler machine or a polishing wheel. Perhaps even at a greater investment, acquire a gemstone polishing lap—with abrasive materials and dops (special sticks) to hold the stones while polishing. You will need significant training, of course, on how to successfully use these instruments. Determining the Final Shape of Sapphire Prepare your raw sapphire by giving it a thorough examination. Pay special attention to internal flaws that may compromise the integrity of the finished piece. Because saving weight is always a consideration, let the natural shape of the stone be a guide to its best final shape. Safety Gear The first thing you will gather is your safety goggles. Then, prepare a clean, safe, and orderly workspace where your essentials are handy yet safeguarded from accidental spills. Polishing Finished Sapphires But what if you have sapphire jewelry with stones that have already been polished? For polished sapphire jewelry, there may come a time when you need to refresh the stones. That’s understandable, especially with jewelry that is worn all the time. Carefully inspect your sapphire jewelry on a clean towel surface. With a baby toothbrush, you can give the sapphire a thorough cleaning using warm water and mild liquid soap. Allow it to completely air dry. LEIBISH Royal Blue Oval Sapphire and Diamond Side Stone Ring   How Often Should you Care for Polished Sapphire? The good thing about sapphires is their superb durability. They are extremely hard stones—only diamonds are harder. They take an excellent high polish, and the facets should look perfect for years. It’s recommended that sapphire jewelry be inspected every 6 months. Long-Term Maintenance Tips for Polished Sapphire Getting a habit of maintenance for your polished sapphire will prevent problems before they develop. Then about twice a year, check for loose prongs or settings, and chipped stones. Those small problems can be remedied easily before a large crack happens, or a stone is lost. If you see any facet junctions on top of your sapphire jewelry that appear abraded or nicked from rough wear, you can often send the item to a professional gem cutter. He or she may be able to re-polish the sapphire while in its setting. They would examine it to confirm if that’s recommended in your case. Sharp facet junctions and highly polished surfaces reflect light optimally, making your sapphire sparkle brilliantly.   Conclusion Sapphires are highly coveted gemstones valued for their vibrant colors and durability. Their extreme hardness (Mohs Scale 9) means they take a superior polish, making them a stunning choice for jewelry. After learning how to polish raw sapphires, you'll be able to enhance their natural beauty and enjoy years of brilliance. To help maintain their luster and new look, clean them twice yearly and store them separately from other jewelry items to help keep them brilliant. 

Sparkling-tinted gem minerals are perennially popular throughout the world. From the humblest jewelry novice to the experienced royal families around the globe, gemstones are valuables worth collecting. But what are the precious gemstones? Is there a gemstone hierarchy? While these coveted stones go by several monikers, like a fine gem, precious stones, or jewel, they all refer to a natural mineral crystal that is beautiful, durable, and desirable. LEIBISH 6.01 carat, Violet, Tanzanite, Oval Shape A Brief Overview of Precious Stones Precious gemstones must be cut and polished to exploit their highest beauty. Lately, collectors also admire uncut gemstones in the rough crystal shape—as they come from the earth. Some precious stones get a cabochon finish— smoothly polished into a flat bottom and rounded top. Depending on the crystal, that polish can reveal a 4 or 6 rayed star effect. The source of these rays appearing atop cabochon cut stones are minute natural inclusions within the stone. With so many types of precious stones, we can only scrape the surface in trying to understand them. But let’s review the best gemstones. While modern jewelry fans are super enthusiastic about many precious gems, they may not be able to name a precious gem. A list of precious gemstones appears in ancient writings—from the scriptures written thousands of years ago. Also we find them referenced in books from the ancient Romans, like naturalist Pliny the Elder. He was fascinated by precious gemstones and wrote extensively on the subject. From early potentates of Asia and the Far East to modern regal families in Europe and Asia, gemstones have played a prominent role in royal ceremonies. Now that we know their deep history and cultural importance, let’s discover some characteristics of precious stones that separate them from simple rocks. The Six Precious Gemstones Diamond Of all the gemstones ever found, the most dazzling gem is the diamond. It is unique in the world of gems for its colorless condition (except for fancy color diamonds) and also that it consists of just one element. And that is carbon. No other gemstone boasts of being from a single element. Colorless diamonds were first discovered in India centuries back. Their unique characteristics set them apart from all other stones. They are the hardest known natural substances with a hardness ranking of 10 on the Mohs scale. LEIBISH Extraordinary White Diamond Bracelet and Earrings   Their other characteristics form what is called the 4Cs. It’s a universal language that expresses the quality components of diamonds so professionals can compare and contrast them against other diamonds. The 4Cs are Clarity, Color, Carat Weight, and Cut. Uniform methods of assessing each of these traits help jewelers and consumers understand their relative value. Clarity refers to the lack of or number of blemishes in the crystal. Color describes the absence or presence of body color in a diamond. Carat Weight is the uniform weight of a diamond—it doesn’t refer to the size. Cut is a bit more complex. It examines the quality of the cutting and polishing that the crystal displays. Uses in Jewelry Diamonds have been desirable gemstones for centuries. They are most often regarded as gemstones for jewelry use due to their beauty, rarity, and ‘goes-with-everything’ colorlessness. As consumers develop a better understanding of business ethics, both shoppers and vendors insist that diamonds have a verifiable paper trail going back to the source. That way, all parties are assured that the stones were ethically sourced and have been recovered by the most sustainable methods. Diamond suppliers also insist on fair working conditions for everyone along the supply chain. Sapphire Sapphire is an old gemstone and one of the most beloved of the rare colored gems. This stone is the next hardest stone to diamond, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale for hardness. So you know that a sapphire gemstone will look sparkling decades from now, just as it did on the day you acquired it. Centuries ago, aristocrats and royals fought over large sapphires for their crown jewels. Today, it’s almost the same thing, but feuding takes place on the bidding floor at great auction houses. LEIBISH Royal Blue Cushion Sapphire & Triangle Diamond Halo Ring   Famous Precious Stones The Star of India is a famous cabochon-cut star sapphire. This impressive 56.3-carat precious gem is the size of a golf ball! Historians say the most sought-after sapphires in the world are the now-extinct Kashmir sapphires found in the latter part of the 19th century high in the Himalayas. By the early part of the 20th century—they were all gone. Today, if a collector is looking for a Kashmir sapphire, they must seek out old stones that go to auction. Such Varieties If a stone is called a sapphire, it means the rich, saturated blue variety. But there is also another type of sapphire called a ‘fancy color sapphire’. These may be yellow, pink, green, black, orange, or violet. Fancy color sapphires are highly collectible and stunning. But for some collectors, only the rich cornflower or cobalt blue will do. This striking precious stone can cost a king’s ransom to acquire. Sapphires are a popular precious stone for rings. Princess Diana’s engagement ring was a sapphire. Sapphires also make stunning pendant necklaces and are perfectly suited for placement on tiaras. Ruby The color red is associated with power and vitality (like blood!) and, of course, passion. That’s why ruby gems have been adored for centuries. Rubies are from the mineral corundum, the same species as sapphire. In the case of ruby, its vibrant hue is due to trace amounts of chromium. And like sapphire, it’s a hard, precious stone, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale. Fine rubies can be much rarer than diamonds and often more costly than diamonds of a similar grade and size. The finest rubies come from Burma, which is today called Myanmar. The best of these stones are the so-called “Pigeon Blood” red, a rich scarlet with blue undertones.  Because of their durability, rubies can be used for rings, earrings, and many other popular jewelry types. LEIBISH Burmese Marquise Ruby and Heart Diamond Three-Stone Halo Ring  Emerald There’s something refreshing about the crisp fresh emerald gemstone. This popular green stone has ancient roots, harkening back to early Egypt and other civilizations. We have the elements chromium, vanadium, and iron to thank for the emerald’s lively green hue.  Often, emerald crystals are embedded in hard, difficult-to-extract host rocks. So, concussive equipment is needed to extract the green sparkly bits. In doing so, the emerald stones incur cracks in the crystals. So, every emerald that is ‘clean’ and free from such inclusions is a rare, priceless treasure. Just because emeralds had a rough start, that doesn't mean they can’t receive the royal treatment in beautifying them later on for jewelry. It is a trade-accepted procedure for emeralds to be treated with oils and green resin fillers in inclusions so they look their best. This is disclosed, of course, and it’s a traditional practice when needed. LEIBISH Emerald Rosie's Bloom Collection Historical Background In ancient times, other green stones could be mistaken for emeralds. It has only been in recent times that sophisticated gemological instruments could make separations of similarly colored gemstones. In Cleopatra’s time, she loved emeralds so much she owned several ‘emerald mines’. It turns out, many of those ancient Egyptian mines produced peridot. Nowadays, we can identify an emerald from other stones. Emeralds are not as hard as diamonds, but they are suitable for earrings and necklaces—and with careful wearing—rings and bracelets.   Tanzanite Some precious stones are valued not only for their beauty and rarity but also for their difficulty in accessing them. Tanzanite is one such stone. Gem-quality blue-violet translucent tanzanite is found only in a small radius around the Manyara region of Tanzania. The transparent to translucent Tanzanite has a Mohs hardness ranking of 6-7, making it suitable for all jewelry types. Today, larger carat sizes are becoming more difficult to acquire since they have been mined for several years. Tanzanite is a relatively new discovery—having been found in the mid-20th century. It came to public attention in the late 1960s and thrilled jewelry fans with its unique color and exotic story of discovery. LEIBISH Tanzanite and Diamond Band Ring   While some people call Tanzanite a generational gemstone owing to its limited sourcing, others think it may be around for a while. Collectors are avidly gathering Tanzanite jewelry in all its forms so they can wear an entire collection. Rings are a popular jewelry type with Tanzanite, but the precious gemstone is equally suited for stud earrings, bracelets, and neckpieces. Aquamarine Those who flock to the cool light blue of aquamarine probably also appreciate the seas. After all, the name aquamarine means sea water. The many pastel blue shades of aquamarine look like the waters of the Caribbean and elsewhere in the tropics, where clear blue lagoons are found. This stone is a variety of beryl minerals. One of the unique features of aquamarine is its ability to change color when heat treated. Many aquamarines naturally display a prominent green tint. Since jewelry lovers often prefer the pale blue variety, this can be achieved through heat treatment. Some gemstone insiders say we should leave the crystals as nature intended and allow consumers to appreciate the many shades of this beautiful gemstone. LEIBISH Aquamarine and Diamond Drop Pendant Aquamarine is a popular gemstone. There’s something universally appealing about this pale blue precious stone, which is even popular in bridal jewelry these days. Other uses are bracelets and earrings, among the other jewelry types available. Precious -v- Semi-Precious Gemstones We’ve all heard the phrase “semi-precious gemstones” when talking about gems. But what’s the difference? Today, we’re discovering that many so-called semi-precious gems have enormous value—especially when certain rare varieties come to market. Garnet, tourmaline, kunzite, amethyst, spinel, topaz and zircon are popular semi-precious stones. Discovering Rarity & Value Paraiba tourmaline for example is a rare Windex blue variety of tourmaline. That species is normally plentiful. But with this unexpected color—prices go through the roof! LEIBISH 4.31 carat, Green, Tourmaline, Oval Shape The same is with Padparadscha sapphire. Fancy color sapphire sell at affordable prices—but when the peachy-pink Padparadscha variety appeared, the prices were phenomenal. The Dazzling History Historically speaking, precious gemstones have always been these four-- diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Traditionally speaking, the rest are semi-precious gems. But as we can see, when new varieties with rare colors turn up---they should be called precious gemstones too! The rarity of colored gemstones is closely tied to their popularity and driven by their beauty and availability. So the values go up and down as supplies become more or less plentiful and tastes change. Care for Precious Gemstones General Care Tips Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are the most durable gemstones, so their care is pretty straightforward. They can be cleaned at home using anything from warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush—to having the jeweler give them a deep cleaning in a professional ultra-sonic machine. These 3 gemstones are so hard that they can provide owners with a lifetime of enjoyment. There’s one exception to the ruby cleaning method if the ruby is a fracture-filled stone. These were sold abundantly over the last 15 years at major retailers. These stones have had solution injected to fill in natural fractures in the ruby. This filling can be destroyed in ultra-sonic cleaners or by a jeweler's torch. Gently cleaning with warm soapy water and a baby toothbrush is the only recommended method for cleaning fracture-filled ruby. Fragile Stone’s Care Fragile gems like emeralds are a precious gemstone too. They are softer stones and frequently oiled or filled with resin to make them more beautiful. While this is completely trade appropriate, extra care is needed to keep them looking their best. Minute particles can be safely removed with a micro-fiber cloth. Placing the emerald jewelry in a bowl of warm water with a mild soap helps loosen particles. Using a soft toothbrush, look for any remaining flecks of dirt and carefully brush it loose. Rinse the solution off with warm water, allowing it to air-dry on a clean cloth. Clean and Store To be sure your jewelry is free from scratches, store them away from each other in a jewelry tray with dividers. That way, your items won’t unintentionally brush against each other and get scratched. Some stones like Kunzite or Morganite are advised to be stored in a cool dark place to protect their color.   Incorporating Precious Gemstones in Jewelry Today we have access to gemstones from every corner of the globe. Whatever color and type you dream of can be found without too much trouble. Since more retailers are carrying precious gemstones now, the prices are attractive. Trends in Gemstone Jewelry Design Many brides today opt for a more personal engagement ring by using colored stones as the main stone in their ring or as an accent to their diamond. Also, look for artistic cuts rather than the classic round brilliant or oval cuts on gemstone jewelry. LEIBISH Mozambique No Heat Pigeon Blood Ruby Three-stone Ring Customization Options and Personalizing Jewelry with Different Stones Artistic gemstone cutters create imaginative free-form shapes or use creative facet patterns to design one-of-a-kind precious gemstone jewelry. It’s another way to show one’s individuality while wearing jewelry. Stones available in larger rough crystals like quartz, sunstone, and various colors of garnets are favored by adventurous gemstone cutters today. Popular Combinations and Settings for Precious Gemstones Innovative jewelry designers approach the design process much like an artist does with their paint. In other words, look for original designs where the designer pairs unusual color combinations for a spectacular effect. One blend is the analogous color combination—using colors of gemstones found next to each other on the color wheel. Another trend is combining opaque and transparent precious gems on the same piece. A shimmering opal might be paired with a dramatic black spinel or a black diamond. The effect is memorable. LEIBISH Oval Sapphire & Marquise Diamond Two-Stone Ring   Conclusion Let’s recap what we’ve read. Precious gems and those classified as semi-precious stones are wildly popular with consumers today. They also have an ancient history of popularity. We know that because early writings tell us specifically about their importance in early civilizations. The good thing about modern harvesting of both precious gemstones and semi-precious gems is the concern for best practices all along the pipeline. Then consumers gain confidence that the stones they love are being produced ethically and responsibly. Part of good ownership is learning how to care for your gemstone jewelry according to its type. This ensures that the item will look beautiful for years to come. And, by digging deeply into the history behind each species, your appreciation for the gems will grow. Gemstone collecting is a wonderful vocation that showcases the owners' personal taste in a marvelous way.

One of the most enduringly popular stones of all time is sapphire. As a gem, sapphire is one of the most durable gemstone materials, meaning it can take a superior polish and is resistant to damage. Daily wearing, plus contact with fragrance, creams, and so on can draw dirt to the stone. So knowing how to clean sapphire properly is essential. Understand the different types of sapphire, including lab-grown, and remember how to care for all of them. How hard are sapphires? Sapphire ranks 9 on the Mohs scale—so with good treatment, any sapphire item should look beautiful for a lifetime. There is also lab grown sapphire, created in a laboratory rather than found in the earth. While it took just a short time to create ‘lab-grown sapphire’, it took eons for natural sapphire to grow underground. It has the same hardness--9—as natural sapphire, and it has the chemical, physical, and optical properties of natural sapphire. Treat it and clean it as you would natural earth-mined sapphire. LEIBISH 20.54ct Sapphire  Understanding Sapphire Sapphire has been popular for centuries and lab-grown sapphires have also gained popularity. Earth-mined sapphire is corundum. With natural sapphire, all blue crystals are simply referred to as sapphire. But natural sapphire also comes in a wide array of vibrant colors too. Those are called fancy color sapphire. Usually when sapphire gets dirty, it comes in contact with a greasy substance, like lotions and creams, or hairspray that was used. in the case of rings, contact with normal everyday dirt is usually to blame. Preparation for Cleaning How to Clean Sapphire Ring Put the items you’ll use for cleaning your sapphire jewelry on a table, so everything is ready. You’re safest with using warm soapy water, and a baby toothbrush plus some clean lint free cloths to dry the jewelry. Most sapphire including heat-treated and untreated can be safely cleaned in ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Safety Precautions Before you consider cleaning your sapphire know what kind it is. Your sapphire may be fracture-filled, or cavity-filled, which was a popular enhancement technique some years ago. In such cases, it’s safest to use a damp lint free cloth to clean your sapphire stones. There are other precautions to consider too. Give your piece careful inspection. Does it have any loose prongs, or are the stones shaky in their setting? If so, take the piece to your jeweler to tighten up everything—and then clean your sapphire jewelry. LEIBISH Extraordinary No Heat Oval Sapphire and Diamond Side Stone Ring   Step By Step Cleaning Process Gently Clean Sapphire Gentle is the operative word for cleaning your sapphire jewelry. Sapphire is durable, but you still want to use a light touch so you don’t disrupt the setting. Brush for Intricate Areas With a bowl of warm mild-soapy water, a dry cloth and soft brush, inspect the underside of your piece and get in the recessed areas that tend to collect debris. You can also soak your item for several minutes to further loosen any hidden grime. Rinse and Dry After you’ve cleaned the item, rinse in fresh water to remove any remaining soap. Allow your item to air-dry on a clean cloth until it is completely dried. Deep Cleaning Methods Ultrasonic cleaners, like those used by professionals, are the ultimate tool for cleaning sapphire jewelry and making it sparkle like new. They can reach areas that the simple water and brush method cannot. But if your sapphire is fracture-filled or cavity-filled, do not subject it to that kind of cleaning. Those fillings reach the surface of the stone, and that filling can be removed through ultrasonic cleaning. LEIBISH Round Blue Sapphire Solitaire Pendant and Earrings  Maintenance Tips Get in the habit of scheduling time regularly to inspect your sapphire jewelry. Look for loose or missing stones, worn out prongs and so forth. Every 6-8 months give your sapphire jewelry a good cleaning using one of the methods we’ve mentioned. Not only will you keep your jewelry looking brand new, but you’ll prevent problems like missing stones or loose prongs. Proper Storage Proper storage is key to maintaining your sapphire jewelry. Cool dry jewel boxes with dividers are your top choice for sapphire jewelry storage. Keeping each piece in its separate compartment away from dust prevents unwanted dirt accumulation over time. Avoid Harsh Chemicals Common household cleaners that we use regularly can actually be harmful to your jewelry. Avoid bleaches, chlorine products, abrasives, solvents, and strong detergents. Besides risking corroding your precious metals, it may interact with the sapphire gemstone itself. Be safe, not sorry. Common Mistakes to Avoid You may think a household abrasive cleaner is just the ticket to thoroughly get every last particle of debris off your jewelry. But abrasives of any kind can damage precious metals and dull the finish on your gemstone too. If one cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner is good—why not do it all the time?The ultrasonic cleaner was meant for occasional cleaning and may jar your stones loose if done too often. Resist the urge and keep your sapphires looking brilliant! LEIBISH 6.02 carat, Pink, Sapphire, Emerald Shape, GIA Additional Care Tips Become your own jewelry detective by examining the sapphire jewelry you wear often. Doing this will prevent damage and accidental loss of stones. You know your jewelry better than anyone—so you can tell when something doesn’t look right. Many sapphire jewelry items are costly. Consider having them insured against loss, theft, or accidental damage. You can easily add a rider to your insurance policy to cover this, whether you own or rent your home. Conclusion Regular cleaning and proper care like inspecting for loose prongs or stones is vital to protecting you sapphire jewelry. This will maintain its original beauty and hold its value. Review the methods outlined in this article, , including how to clean sapphire, to select the cleaning technique for your items. You’ll develop a deep appreciation for sapphire, and you’ll personally value it more when you regularly clean and maintain it. It will provide you with a lifetime of proud ownership! 

One of the most widespread facts about diamonds is that they are the hardest substance known to man. While this statement is a little complicated, there is still much truth to it. This means that caring for diamonds and cleaning them is rather easy. It takes a lot to damage a diamond. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most gemstones. Given the softer and more vulnerable nature of some gemstones, a great deal of care is needed when cleaning these stones. Here is a quick rundown of how to clean gemstone jewelry.  1. Diamonds – Depending on the metal of your diamond jewelry, diamonds can easily be cleaned in a simple solution made from ingredients that are found in most households. If set in solid gold, it is the simplest to deal with and requires water, soap, and sometimes ammonia as well. Silver jewelry demands a gentler approach but for the most part the jewelry simply needs to soak in a solution of soap and water and then should be gently brushed with a toothbrush before being dried with a dry, clean, soft cloth.   LEIBISH Yellow Diamond Drop Pendant and Full Eternity Yellow Diamond Band   2. Rubies – Most rubies, whether untreated or heat treated, can be cleaned in soapy water. If, however, the stone has had either fractures or cavities filled, it is best to use a damp cloth to clean the stone. The same goes for any ruby that has been dyed. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can only be used for stones that are untreated, heat-treated, or lattice diffusion treated.   LEIBISH Fine Ruby Jewelry   3. Sapphires – Sapphires should be treated as rubies, since rubies are the red version of a sapphire. This entails soaking the gem in warm water and soap and brushing it gently with a brush or cloth before rinsing and drying it. Untreated, heat-treated, or lattice diffusion treated stones can be cleaned through the use of a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaner. Fracture-filled, dyed, and cavity-filled stones should be cleaned using a damp cloth.   LEIBISH Blue Sapphire and Diamond Double Halo Platinum Ring (3.67Ct TW)   4. Emeralds – Since the majority of emeralds are fracture-filled stones, it is unsafe to use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. The best way to safely clean your emeralds is to remove dust and grime with a micro-fiber cloth, wash them with soap and water, and rub them gently. Afterwards, the emeralds can be washed in plain warm water and dried with a clean cloth.   LEIBISH Emerald Pear & Yellow Diamond Designer Ring (9.72Ct TW)   5. Tanzanite – Tanzanite can be cleaned rather easily at home using soap and water. The trick is to ensure that the water is not too hot or too cold as it can cause the stone to crack. Similarly, while common dishwashing liquid is perfectly fine, it is best to use soaps without any bleaches as this can harm the stone. A plastic container is the best choice of dish to use since a glass or metal bowl can knock against the stone and cause it damage.   LEIBISH Tanzanite Cushion & Diamond Drop Earrings (7.84Ct TW)   6. Aquamarine – The best way to clean aquamarine is to fill a small bowl with warm water and to add a bit of liquid dishwashing soap. Let the aquamarine sit in the solution for a few minutes before scrubbing it gently with a toothbrush so as not to loosen the prongs. Finally, run the stone under water to rinse out the soap.   LEIBISH Aquamarine & Pink Sapphire Diamond Ring (2.44Ct TW)   7. Tourmaline – Tourmalines should be cleaned in warm soapy water and should be scrubbed gently with a soft toothbrush or cloth. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners should not be used.   LEIBISH Green Tourmaline and Diamond Drop Earrings (5.13Ct TW)   8. Rubellite – As rubellite is simply the dark pink to red variety of tourmaline, much like rubies are the dark pink to red variety of sapphires, they should be cleaned similar to the way in which tourmalines are cleaned. This is through the simple use of water, mild detergent, and a brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners should be avoided.   LEIBISH Rose Gold Oval Rubellite Drop Earrings (6.54Ct TW)   9. Citrine – The most important thing to know about a citrine stone before cleaning it is that it is very sensitive to heat. Therefore, using steam cleaners is a big no-no. Ultrasonic cleaners on the other hand are generally okay, except for the rare instance where the stone has been dyed or has received fracture filling. The easiest and best way to clean a citrine is to fill a bowl with water and soap and let it soak for a few minutes. After it has soaked properly, you can rub it gently with a soft toothbrush or cloth before rinsing it and drying it. It is important to ensure it has dried thoroughly as any moisture left over can cause spots.   LEIBISH Oval Citrine earrings, ring and pendant   The key on how to care for gemstones is simple. Your stones should be handled gently, looked after, and cleaned in a simple manner. When it comes to how to clean gemstones at home, abrasive cleaners could result in irreversible damage. Utilizing the appropriate gemstone cleaner can also help maintain the beauty and integrity of your precious stones.When in doubt, ask a professional before taking matters into your own hands. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.  Browse through our collection of fine gemstone jewelry.

Gemstones are stones that have been cut and polished in a way that deems them refined enough to be considered gemstones. Though gemstones can be completely void of color, like the popular colorless diamond, many people think of colorful stones when they hear the term gemstones. While green emeralds, red rubies, blue sapphires, and bluish-green aquamarine stones certainly have their fair share of color, other gemstones can be equally delightful with much more neutral hues such as light brown, otherwise known as champagne.Light brown diamonds can also be called champagne diamonds, and are in theory also champagne gemstones. For our intents and purposes we will exclude diamonds while talking about champagne gemstones as they get a category of their own. There are various semi-precious gemstones with stunning champagne coloring such as tourmaline and tanzanite. Here is a bit about these stones, their advantages, and disadvantages.   Champagne Tanzanite Gemstone: Uncommon but Fabulous Although tanzanite stones are known for their dazzling blue hue, this color is generally only achieved after going through heat treatment. In the rough, most tanzanite stones have a reddish brown to clear color. Smaller stones will give off a lighter color such as violet after being treated. Therefore it is rather unusual to come across champagne tanzanite stones but they do exist and are fabulous. Tanzanite ranks 6.5 on the Mohs scale of gem hardness. LEIBISH 5.01 carat, Champagne, Tanzanite, Oval Shape   The Diversity of Tourmaline Colors Unlike tanzanite, tourmaline stones are not known for just one color. There are several colors that fall into different categories. However, the brownish-black/black variety, schorl, is most abundant. It accounts for almost 95% of all tourmaline in nature.Other colors for tourmaline stones include pink, yellow, light blue, violet, green, champagne, and colorless. Champagne tourmaline is essentially light brown tourmaline, which falls into the dravite category (dark yellow to brownish black.) Tourmalines rank between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of gem hardness.   Pros and Cons for Champagne Gemstones   As mentioned earlier, gemstones are generally known for their colors. Both tanzanite and tourmaline are actually more common in other colors besides champagne, so why choose champagne?Similar to champagne diamonds, which are among many different color diamonds, champagne gemstones offer both advantages and disadvantages. One plus would be the fact that champagne gemstones possess a neutral and natural color that blends with pretty much anything. They are also usually on the less expensive side.A minus could be their inability to match any skin tone. Like it or not, champagne gemstones look better against certain shades of skin. Lastly, champagne is somewhat of a dull color. The flip side is that it is natural but it won’t give you that pop of color as, say, an emerald nor will it shine brilliantly like a colorless diamond. Champagne gemstones, as many other gemstones, can be found in a wide range of shapes and sizes. While oval and round are most common, princess, cushion, radiant, heart, emerald, marquise, and asscher shapes are also possibilities.LEIBISH boasts exquisite champagne gemstones including a 5.01-carat oval champagne tanzanite stone and a 3.47-carat oval champagne tourmaline stone. Always check the certification of a stone before purchasing and make certain you are buying from a reputable establishment.

The whole idea of birthstones takes jewelry collecting to another level altogether. Did you know that the concept of birthstones is indeed an ancient one with a fascinating history? May historians believe that the tradition of birthstones had its origin in antiquity beginning with the 12 tribes of Israel. At the time the customs was to establish a priest’s sacred adornment as part of his holy garments. Paramount to these accessories was a bejeweled item called the breastplate of Aaron. On this complex adornment were 12 distinct gemstones, each one representing one of the tribes of Israel.The idea of a specific gemstone to be identified with a group evolved into a specific stone for each month of the year, similar to the 12 gemstones that were arrayed on the breastplate of Aaron. Viewed altogether, the modern day birthstones are a gorgeous display of lavish stones to match each month of the year. And fortunately, each month has adapted to bearing more than one stone for each month of the year. Now, that’s nice isn’t it? Variety always helps us decide what we really want. Looking for a June birthstone is easy because there are 3 options to choose from. June birthstones Meaning Is a June birthstone on your shopping list? No matter what month you were born in, you can always take pride in the fact that you have special gems that were carefully thought out to become your month’s unique birthstone. That’s real personalization isn’t it? But we like to think that those born in the month of June are extra special. Since jewelry is always a personal matter, you are probably wondering what is the June birthstone color? This is the easy part! The birthstone options chosen for June babies are gorgeous and quite different from one another. That means—you will never be at a loss to acquire something very personalized and meaningful as a piece of jewelry. Let’s dig a little deeper and discover exactly what we’re talking about. If you’re new to the search, you may wonder just what are the birthstones for June? Jewelry collectors frequently shop for jewelry that fits their June birthstone. Although June has three birthstones, the pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite, it is the latter that is mostly recognized as June’s true birthstone. Still many of us expect a pearl birthstone for June babies. So have you ever wondered why June has 3 birthstones?   All Birthstones for June Fortunately for birthstone jewelry lovers, with 3 different possibilities, the sky’s the limit as far as personalizing a birthstone choice. And who said you can’t adopt more than one—even three of the June birthstone options on one piece of jewelry. While birthstone rings are always a nice idea, we think using pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite in combination on a pendant would be a lovely and unique way to celebrate a June birthday. The result would be a birthstone pendant like no one else has and make a brilliant story telling piece. June birthstone collectors were dazzled when Alexandrite became identified as the June birthstone. It’s rarity and alluring color change capability makes this stone unique among the colored gemstone community. When this stone was first discovered, it is said that it was found in the Ural mountains of Russia on Czar Alexander’s birthday—hence the name. This magnificent stone seemed doomed to extinction when the mines in the remote Russian Ural mountains became depleted of their alexandrite stones. But later on thankfully, places like Brazil began producing Alexandrite and when these various deposits became commercially viable, collectors were thrilled. Alexandrite birthstone replaced the pearl as birthstone when it was believed that alexandrite was more abundant than pearls. Today that is no longer the case for the June birthstone.  High quality alexandrite is costly, extremely rare, and highly sought after. It’s a birthstone color that’s hard to pass by. The greenish blue stone is known to change colors in different lighting—from daylight to incandescent light, going from green to red or purple.  Most Alexandrite stones are to 5-carats in weight, with larger stones being extremely hard to come by.  Since this month’s birthstone—the Alexandrite birthstone can be difficult to obtain, consider some of the birthstone options such as pearls or moonstones, or even combining alexandrite with other gems when designing a piece of birthstone jewelry. For those with birthdays in June, you have three beautiful June birthstones to choose from; pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. Each stone comes in a variety of hues and price points, so those born in June can choose a stone which suits their taste and budget.  All Birthstones for June   What are the origins of the June birthstones? Let’s go over all the birthstones for June. Pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite all have individual origins, attributes, and symbolism. With such diverse gemstones for the June birthday folks, everyone can personalize their birthstone jewelry and have exactly what suits them. Let’s look at the individual options for June birthstones—and take your time. You may want to put some good thought into deciding which stone—or stones—reflect your taste and individuality.   Pearl June's birthstone Pearls, the original traditional June birthstone, are distinct from other gemstones including their fellow June birthstones.  For starters, pearls are organic gems harvested from deep waters via the humble mollusk. Pearls are harvested from both deep saltwater and freshwater sources. Pearl birthstone is an intriguing consideration. We think pearls offer some of the most contemporary options for the savvy jewelry collector. While at one time, the word pearl brought to mind a dainty demure strand of pearls that an auntie would wear—now the range of pearl jewelry is widely expanded. Today you’ll be pleased to know that pearls are produced in such a range of shapes that they have become a very fashion forward organic gemstone used by the major couture design houses. Beside the round pearl, there are mabé—or pearls with a flat back. These are ideal for brooches, bracelets, and earrings besides placement in rings. There are flat disc-like pearls and best of all, large free form shape pearls that lend themselves to placement in trendy imaginative jewelry. Found in several colors including white, cream, pink, and black, pearls also come in a range of sizes. Pearl Birthstones  A pearl is formed when an irritant such as a parasite or a grain of sand makes its way into the flesh of an oyster, clam, or mussel. Then nacre, a protective substance, forms over the irritant. Over time, layers and layers of nacre accumulate and a lustrous pearl is formed.  Pearls are considered timeless, classic jewels that never go out of style. Every jewelry box should contain at least one piece of pearl jewelry whether it is a simple strand of pearls, pearl studs, or a pearl bracelet.  Tiny orange diamond side stones, make a lovely combination for a traditional pair of pearl earrings. LEIBISH 0.74 carat, Fancy Vivid Orange Diamond, Oval Shape, SI2 Clarity, GIA   Versatility of Pearl Birthstones Pearls are seen on masculine jewelry too! Especially the strong looking South Seas black pearls—those are frequently paired with leather straps to make a powerful men’s bracelet or necklace. The sky’s the limit with pearls—the only limit is one’s imagination when it comes to enjoying this exciting natural gem. One of the special attributes of pearls is their ancient origins. Look in museum paintings of famous ancient rulers or wealthy aristocrats. Many times they will be painted wearing pearls as a potent symbol of their wealth, power, and refinement. Thos are all traits we’d still like associated with us today. A pearl birthstone conveys these very specific characteristics –all without us ever having to say a word. And as old as pearls are, they carry with them a timeless allure that never fades. So the pearls you collect today are relevant, stylish and exhibit your fashion sense. Fortunately with the abundance of sophisticated pearl farming techniques today—the varieties of pearls are almost endless. One could actually build an important collection of pearl jewelry but never wear the same thing twice. The modern use of pearls today by innovative designers means pearl lovers can find anything their heart dreams up to enjoy pearls of every color and shape in stylish settings that make the wearer a bonafide taste-maker. Moonstone Birthstone Moonstone birthstone, even its name is dreamy, isn’t it? It conjures up sentiments of wishful thinking and imaginative ‘other worldly’ experiences. We love the moon—and of course we love moonstone. Collectors may be new to this stone, but in reality, moonstone was found centuries ago. We know this because ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder described moonstone’s shimmery appearance in relation to the phases of the moon. This stone’s hypnotic adularescence—or milky glow with glints of rainbow hues makes the stone seem like moonlight floating on the water, some say. Unusual Coloration of Moonstone If you were to take a closer inspection of this mysterious stone by looking through a microscope, you’d discover microscopic layers of feldspar that cause light to scatter across the face of the stone, causing that iconic billowing adularescence we’ve come to love. Experts say this range of colors of the rainbow found in moonstone impacts its price. Stones with more prominent appearances of blue are seen as more valuable since they are found less often than examples with pink, orange, peach and yellow visible on the stone. Named for its resemblance to the glow of the moon, moonstone is a type of feldspar which varies in color from translucent, to bluish-white, to a peach tone. Before the moonstone birthstone became associated with June, it was once considered a sacred stone that provided its wearer with a great sense of understanding. Some even believed it could make them invisible. Moonstones Birthstones   The translucency of a moonstone birthstone makes it an interesting gem to wear against the skin. The lighter moonstones allow light to pass through the stones, and these gems can almost take on the skin tones and blend in with the wearer’s own complexion. This stone could be said to easily become one with its wearer. Did you know some moonstones exhibit a star or cat’s eye effect? There are so many variations of this stunning gemstone that you are sure to find one that exactly fits you perfectly. Caring for Moonstone With a Mohs ranking of 6 on the hardness scale, it tells us to exhibit care in wearing the stone to keep its sheen in perfect condition. If you are an extremely active person, using your hands for work or sports a lot, consider having your moonstone set into earrings or a pendant—where there is little chance in it falling victim to rough usage. Moonstone has had a long list of fans for as long as the gemstone was around. It does cause one to become mesmerized by its unusual seemingly glowing presence. You are caught up in its allure—its ability to make you look inside the stone to see all the nuanced hues that glisten back to the viewer. Wearing moonstone can be discovered as one of the most versatile gemstones a person will ever own. With so many tones that seem to shine forth from inside the stone—collectors are happy to see that the stone seems to take on the hues of whatever the person is wearing. For male or female, the mysterious moonstone makes a personal statement and is a conversation starter for sure. These radiant stones are found in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the United States.  Since the stone comes in so many variations, there are endless combinations possible.  If the stone is almost white or translucent, it would pair nicely with pearls, or white diamonds.  The darker toned moonstones would contrast nicely with pearls, white diamonds, and even colored diamonds. Did you ever think your June birthstone could be so alluring? LEIBISH 6.68 carat, Gray, Moonstone, Oval Shape Alexandrite June's birthstone Considered as the contemporary June birthstone, alexandrite is produced in an array of shades and makes a stunning piece of jewelry.  Since these stone is so rare, they could be paired with other gems like diamonds, amethysts, or emeralds. Depending on its colors, complementary side stones can be chosen. If it is a birthday present, a pendant necklace displaying an alexandrite stone surrounded by diamonds could be quite desirable. Alexandrite June's Birthstone   It took some time for them to understand the color change phenomenon of course. It’s only apparent by carefully studying the stone under different light sources---mainly outdoor daylight and then under incandescent indoor lighting. At the time of its discovery, Russia was using actual candlelight for nighttime indoor illumination! Contrasted to other popular colored gems, alexandrite is considered a relatively modern jewel. It was discovered serendipitously when miners were working the Russian emerald mines of the remote Ural mountains. Color Changing Alexandrite What a shock and delight to discover not only a new gemstone material (it’s chrysoberyl) but one that changes color too. That unexpected thrill brought an exciting new gem to the world of collectors. Even today, its color change properties dazzle the most jaded jewelry lover. But the extraordinary fine quality of Russian alexandrite set the bar quite high for any alexandrite produced elsewhere—something that didn’t happen for years to come. All collectors want to know the hardness of the gems they love, and alexandrite is no different. This beautiful stone ranks a solid 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it quite durable and well suited to take a remarkable polish. This stone will look new for years to come, even with regular wearing of it. It’s only slightly less hard than sapphire, but more durable than garnet, another popular gemstones that can change color too. An alexandrite stone can also be used as the main or secondary stone for an engagement ring. The greater the color change in the alexandrite, the more it is worth. Known as “an emerald by day and a ruby by night”, alexandrite deposits are located in Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil, and Burma.   LEIBISH Alexandrite Color Changing What makes Alexandrite rare, and why is it considered the true birthstone for June? Because the colors and their color change alternate colors may be different when found in different parts of the world, knowledgeable professionals may often be able to identify where exactly the stone was found by its color combination. That is because the geology of where the stones are found often determine what gemstones look like. Unlike the classic Russian Alexandrite which goes from green to red under different lighting, you’ll soon easily recognize alexandrite from Brazil as its own unique variety. Stones from these South American deposits look teal or deep bluish-green in daylight. But under incandescent lighting the stones shift to a deep rich purple. Both sources of alexandrite produce exquisite colors and delightful shifts in hues. The more completely the color change is shown, the more valuable the stone. It has become a true birthstone for June with countless fans. A Sentimental Choice - June Birthstones Consider all birthstones for June as a possibility. Whether you opt for an alexandrite, as rare and as costly as it may be, or you go with the other June birthstone options, choosing a gift containing the recipient’s birthstone can be a touching tribute. Any June birthstone jewelry item is a gift that will be cherished forever.  Thinking of buying an important gift for someone special? Thoughtful gift giving includes caring enough to discover the recipient’s birthstone for an extra special gift of love.  You’ll discover a birthstone can be a sentimental gift that becomes more important to the recipient with each passing year. LEIBISH Oval Alexandrite and Diamond Double Halo Pendant   Or are you contemplating getting a special piece for yourself to commemorate a personal milestone? That’s terrific. But did you know self-purchasing “just because” is equally as worthy. We soon learn in life how quickly the days fly by so it’s up to us to make each day a celebration and acknowledge how fleeting and precious each day really is. How do you get it right, you’re wondering? There are a few things that come to mind. First of all pay close attention to what they like. They may have said something in conversation about what they really love—or even pointed out a piece of jewelry they admire when out shopping or watching TV. But—you can always ask! That way you are sure that you’re on the right track. People like to know others are interested in their viewpoints, so why not casually ask if they ever had the chance to get a birthstone—which of the 3, pearl, moonstone, or alexandrite would they most likely wear all the time? Meaningful June Birthstone Gifts When you get to the place to consider a special gift—make sure you put some careful thought into it. The more you know the taste and preferences of the recipient (even you!) the more likely you are to buy that gift that will grow in heartfelt value as the years go by. Giving a piece of birthstone jewelry that was carefully thought out allows the recipient to become attached to it right away. And did you know that you can tell the recipient so much about your genuine heartfelt sentiments when you take your time to carefully select not only something you’ve learned they will appreciate but when it’s their birthstone too—you’ve given a gift that will be cherished for their entire life. So much sentiment without ever saying a word. Yes, knowing what the recipient appreciates, especially when it’s a piece of jewelry that he or she would never treat themselves with will warm their heart forever. All jewelry whether a self-purchase or given as a gift has an element of meaning to it, birthstone jewelry will always be considered some of the most personalized and meaningful items that one can have. You may not have many friends who share your birth month with you, so you’ll be eager to share with them the details of your own birthstone. However, any June birthstone selected needs to be suitable for its recipient. Pairing it with an appropriate jewel can capture the gift giver’s sentiment and be cherished at the same time.

Our marvelous planet has gifted us with many mesmerizing specimens, otherwise known as gemstones, which are rich in color, texture, and shine. Sapphire gemstones are among the most coveted precious gemstones, which is quite understandable given the rainbow of colors in which they come and the endless possibilities they present. Some of LEIBISH's Sapphire rings   What are Sapphires? Sapphires are One of the Four Precious Gemstones. The terms stones and gemstones are thrown around quite a bit, but for the most part, while almost all gemstones originate from some mineral (besides from rare exceptions like pearls), not every stone is a gemstone, which is used almost interchangeably with the term precious. This is because some are considered more precious than others and only a select few in the category of precious gemstones.  To be clear, the separation between precious and semi-precious is actually not used any longer. Still, many differentiate between the two groups.  A stone becomes a gem once it has been transformed from its rough mineral form into a cut and polished jewel. The most lavish gemstones on the planet, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, fall into what was called precious gemstones. All other gemstones are referred to as semi-precious. Some are far less valuable than precious gemstones while others can cost quite the pretty penny. Sapphires are the gemstone variety of the corundum mineral. The red sapphire variety is called a ruby. Sapphires are mined, and they are also manufactured for decorative purposes. These stones measure 9 on the Mohs scale in terms of hardness, making them the third hardest gemstone after diamonds and moissanite respectively. Diamonds rank 10 whereas moissanite ranks 9.5. They are therefore also used for non-decorative uses such as for infrared optical components. How Are Sapphires Formed?  Sapphires are formed under the earth’s surface over millions of years. They are the result of several processes, which include high temperatures and pressure. These are the ideal conditions for metamorphic processes in which sapphires are formed. When liquid magma found deep within the earth cools, it allows the minerals to crystalize. The finest and purest forms of corundum, otherwise known as sapphires, are these very minerals that have been recrystallized during this process that has taken millions of years. A sapphire is a mineral but it is not diamond even though a diamond is a mineral as well. They are both different types of minerals. Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, which is an aluminum oxide. Various elements found within the sapphires cause different hues. For example, iron causes blue, titanium causes yellow, and chromium causes purple. LEIBISH 8.54 ct deep blue sapphire   Where do Sapphires Come From? Sapphires are mined in locations around the globe but are mainly sourced from Cambodia, Colombia, India, and Kenya. Other areas include Afghanistan, Australia, Nepal, the United States, and Vietnam. The sapphires from the various regions differ from one another in terms of their chemical structure and appearance.   Sapphire Quality Assessment Most people know that a diamond is assessed based on four main categories better known as the 4Cs, which stand for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. These are used to assess colored gemstones albeit quite differently. For starters, while color, cut, clarity, and carat are all looked at in an equal manner when discussing colorless diamonds they are not dealt with in this fashion when grading sapphires. The main reason for this is that the color of a sapphire takes absolute precedence over everything else. We aren’t looking at the absence of color like we do with colorless diamonds but at the presence of color. This puts it at front and center in such a way that we don’t just look to see which color it is, but what secondary colors are present, how intense the color can be seen, and how dark or light the stone is. In official terms, the color, tone, and saturation of a sapphire take priority over all other aspects including clarity, carat, and cut.  Furthermore, while high-quality sapphires are preferred, the quality is not assessed in the same way it is for a diamond. Inclusions can be present within a sapphire and it can still be considered extremely valuable. It all depends on where the flaw is found, how visible it is, and whether or not it can be seen minimally compared to the overall color and appearance of the stone. Although a sapphire’s color is its most important feature, the cut is a close second. This is because the way in which a sapphire is cut affects its color directly. Therefore, the center of a sapphire must be cut in a way that it reflects light and color. When the center of the stone is dead and does not reflect light or color, it is known as a window. Sapphires with large windows will be sold for lower prices whereas stones without windows that have full color and light reflection will sell for a higher value.  Lastly, a sapphire can be found in larger sizes, but the bigger the stone, the smaller the chances of it being a quality gem. Thus, the larger and higher quality stone you come across the rarer, and the more expensive it will be. Are sapphires rare? Stones known on the market as sapphires are not incredibly rare, however, untreated sapphires of high quality are extremely hard to come by. This is because most sapphires that are mined are of such poor quality that they never enter the gem trade to begin with. Among those stones that do make it into the trade, most are treated in some way or another. Sapphire sources are limited because of several reasons. If the mine is not profitable enough, it won’t be mined altogether. Additionally, if the source is located in a controversial area, it will be avoided and thus becomes null. LEIBISH 3 Stone Sapphire Ring   Sapphire Meanings and History Sapphires were discovered thousands of years ago. They date all the way back to the First Temple, 957 BCE, as the sapphire was one of the twelve precious stones used in the High Priest’s breastplate. It is unknown who was the first person to discover sapphires. Today sapphires are mined in countries around the world. Some of these countries include Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Colombia, Nepal, Kenya, Australia, Vietnam, Tanzania, and the USA, as well as others. In addition to making beautiful additions to any piece of jewelry, sapphires are used to create high durability windows, wristwatch crystals and movement bearings, and can also be used for electronics.   Sapphires Prices  How much does a sapphire cost? A sapphire can cost anywhere from $20 a carat to $450 a carat to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It truly depends on the quality of the stone, whether or not it has been treated, its colors, its cut, its size, and its shape. A tiny yet high quality sapphire can cost ten times the price of a much larger stone. Therefore, each and every sapphire needs to be regarded and surveyed individually. Which sapphire is the most expensive? Deep blue sapphires of high quality tend to sell for the highest prices although flawless pink and yellow sapphires have been known to bring in quite the pretty penny as well. In terms of the most expensive sapphires ever sold at auction, there are several stones that saw prices in the millions. These include the Richelieu Sapphires, which sold for $8,358,520 and an unmounted Burmese sapphire that brought in $7,223,285.    LEIBISH 16.02 carat Oval Sapphire & Diamond Halo Multicolored Bracelet in 18K Gold   Sapphire Colors Known mostly for their blue variety, including the luxurious Royal blue sapphire, sapphires appear in an array of colors, including pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, colorless, and black. These stones make fabulous alternatives to their pricier color diamond counterparts, although some types of colored sapphires can be quite costly as well. That is one of the most attractive aspects of a sapphire; the many color choices. Color-Changing Sapphires Aside from the different colored sapphires, there are several unique types of sapphires that are singled out from the rest. One such type is the color-changing sapphire. Like its name suggests, this unusual sapphire displays different colors when it is exposed to natural lighting and artificial lighting. Which sapphire is the best, blue or yellow? The word sapphire and the color blue basically go hand in hand, so it is safe to say that blue sapphires are among the most popular varieties of sapphires. Having said that, yellow sapphires have become quite popular, especially since they are a cheaper alternative to the lovely yet pricey yellow diamond.   Different Types of Sapphires Genuine, unheated sapphires have the highest demand and, like diamonds, are found in nature. Synthetic Sapphires created in labs exist due to the rarity and high cost of real sapphires. Natural or rather unheated Sapphires are found in several colors, blue being the most recognized and popular color. Other colors include yellow, purple, orange, pink, brown, and green. There are also colorless sapphires, which can be used in place of diamonds due to their similarities. Sapphires displaying a combination of colors exist as well. What is a star sapphire? An additional special kind of sapphire is the star sapphire. As a result of the imperfections within the stone, the sapphire can display an asterism, which resembles a star, hence the name. Star sapphires are in a category of their own due to this unique feature. Such sapphires are incredibly rare and highly sought after. There are star rubies as well. LEIBISH Blue Sapphire   Sapphire Ruby Is a ruby a sapphire? The simple answer to this question is no. Though rubies are the red form of corundum, as sapphire is the blue form and padparadscha is the pinkish-orange form, they are known by different names. It is imperative to point out that two of sapphires and rubies share the exact same scientific structure. That means that a sapphire and ruby are actually the same type of stone. The only significant difference is that rubies have an exquisite red color. The ruby’s unique color was enough to make it defined as a gemstone of its own, but aside for the element that causes the red color, the two stones have the same gem structure. Only rubies with a strong red color are considered rubies while the lighter stones are known as pink sapphires.   Sapphire Birthstone The classic sapphire birthstone is blue, but the birthstone refers to all sapphires, leaving one to choose from an array of alluring sapphire colors. One with a sapphire birthstone can elect to wear a blue sapphire, green, yellow, brown, or pink. That is one of the most attractive aspects of a sapphire; the many color choices. Sapphire's set in yellow gold   There is no denying the incredible beauty of a sapphire, whether it is blue, yellow, or colorless. This highly durable substance available in a plethora of breathtaking colors makes for an irresistible jewel perfect for any piece or occasion. Like everything in life, there is always compromise and like everything else, different things appeal to different types of people. So unless you are adamant and insist on getting the largest, highest quality sapphire with the best color and are able to afford it for that matter, it is recommended to think carefully what matters most to you. Is it the size? The color? The shape? The quality? The larger a stone is, the more chances of it having inclusions. On the other hand, smaller stones are more likely to have fewer flaws. Therefore, if you want the best of both worlds you will need to be ready to pay the price. Other questions may involve the stone purchasing process, dos and don'ts, and what to look out for. Always make certain you are purchasing from a reputable business and try to take someone knowledgeable with you for backup.

If you mention the word emerald to anyone who knows the slightest bit about the stone, you are most likely to hear the term ‘Colombian emerald’ mentioned. That is because up until recently, the South American country was the main distributor in the emerald industry and still produces some of the finest deep green emeralds on the planet. However, over the past few years, it has come to the attention of many in the industry that yet another emerald producer is making waves. This time around it’s Zambia, with its lovely blue-green emeralds that are most certainly comparable to the highly coveted Colombian emeralds in terms of beauty. Due to their popularity, Zambia is now the second largest producer of emeralds in the world, right after Colombia. A small collection of LEIBISH's Zambian Emeralds   About Zambia Zambia, also called The Republic of Zambia, is a country in Southern Africa, right beside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Malawi. Historically home to a copper mining industry, Zambia also has an economy based on agriculture, tourism, and now emeralds as well.   Zambian Emeralds Vs. Colombian Emeralds Aside from being mined in different parts of the worlds and displaying different distinct colors, these stones have a lot in common. They have so much in common that they are both considered the world’s most popular emeralds. One other main difference between the two is that although Zambian emeralds are extremely valuable, their prices will be lower than Colombian emeralds since it is a newer trade and the prices have not become a fixture as much as prices for Colombian stones have.   LEIBISH Loose Emeralds   Many of the emeralds offered by LEIBISH are sourced by Gemfields, whose mines are found in Zambia.   Emeralds in General Emeralds are one of the four precious gemstones, which also include diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. The vivacious green stone ranks 7 on the Moh’s scale of hardness, which is lower than the sapphire’s 9 ranking and the diamond’s esteemed grade of 10. Nevertheless, it is still a rather durable stone, though it can be prone to chips and scratches. That is why many emeralds are enhanced in some way to protect its structure and to sometimes boost its color, though natural emeralds will always be worth more. The ability to be enhanced in a natural-looking way is one of an emerald’s greatest advantages. Emeralds are the birthstone for the month of May, quite fitting for the spring month that is filled with greenery and vibrant colors. They are also used as gifts for 20th and 35th anniversaries. LEIBISH Emerald Rings   One should never buy an emerald or any other gemstone simply because it has a ‘name.’ Though that name does usually come with a certain degree of prestige and worth, it is important to survey the individual stone and make certain it is the right one for you. The size, color, quality, shape, and price have to be just what you are looking for.   Browse through LEIBISH's collection of emerald jewelry.

Emeralds, green diamonds, green sapphires, jade; there is a wide range of both precious and semi-precious green gemstones available! LEIBISH Loose Emeralds    Some gemstones give off more of a shine, like diamonds, while others, like emeralds, have less fire that is reflected off the facets of the stones. There are those that display light colors while others showcase a deep, dark green. What is the meaning of this lively color? Let’s take a look at some of the myths and beliefs surrounding the green color and their implications in regards to green gemstones.   Natural Green Green is the second most abundant color in the world of nature, after blue of course. It’s a sign of life; it’s a sign of money, greed, and jealousy; and it’s even a color associated with aliens. In addition, green represents rebirth, spring, and balance. It is also sacred to some religions such as Islam.   Green Energy Wearing green, whether it is green clothing or green gemstones, can exude certain energy. It can be a powerful energy of growth and the desire to expand, or it can be energy to overcome something. It can set off a positive energy for creating healthy relationships.   LEIBISH Natural Chameleon Diamond Ring   Green Wealth Nature and money seem like complete opposite and yet they share a common color: green. Perhaps it is this way to show us that we can make lemonade from lemons, quite literally, by using nature’s resources to make ourselves prosperous and wealthy. Or, it could be because these are two things that seem to bring many people happiness. The color of trees, grass, and much other flora, green has many positive connotations. Combined with its bright hue, it makes a perfect choice of color for a gemstone. Whether the stone of choice is crystal-like or more rock-like, it can add tremendous color and personality to any ensemble. If green is your color of choice, be sure to check out our wide assortment of green diamonds, green emeralds, and all the beautiful pieces that display the color of energy.

Pink sapphires are a bit of a confusing term since, technically, pink sapphires are stones that are not red enough to be considered a ruby. To clarify, both sapphires and rubies are varieties of the mineral corundum. The only difference between the two gemstones is the color. Browse through our ruby jewelry. LEIBISH Ruby Pendant   While sapphires refer to the blue variety, as well as the array of other colors including pink, rubies refer to the deep crimson type of corundum. In order to be considered a ruby and not a sapphire in the United States, red corundum must display a certain color intensity level. Chromium is what gives rubies their red color. Stones with high traces of chromium are rubies, and stones with low traces fall into the pink sapphire category. Browse through our sapphire jewelry. Different styles of LEIBISH Sapphire rings   Value Determining Properties  Although pink sapphires are not considered rubies, they can still cost quite the pretty penny. Especially if they showcase an intense pink hue. That is why the color is the most important factor in determining the worth of a pink sapphire. The second most important factor is the carat sizes. In fact, since pink sapphires are quite rare, any stone over half a carat in size is kept that size in order to preserve the few large pink sapphires that exist. Stones with high clarity are also very much prized, and do exist, although one should take precautions since many of the “flawless” pink sapphires out there have been artificially treated.   Pink Sapphire Sources Pink sapphires are considered quite rare, but they were once considered far rarer. That is because they were only found in select locations around the globe including Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In the late1990s that all changed with the discovery of pink sapphires in Madagascar.   Famous Pink Sapphires One of the largest pink sapphires found to date is an oval-shaped 5.81-carat stone that was set in a ring with marquise diamonds. The value of the entire piece was estimated in 2012 at approximately $27,455. Sapphire lovers and pink gemstone enthusiasts will be pleased to hear about these stunning and unusual stones that have their own unique gleam and serve as an intriguing alternative to pink diamonds and pink emeralds. They also make terrific investment opportunities.  

The term zircon may seem familiar to many, but what most people actually think about a zircon, is something else entirely. So, what is zircon? Well, the diamond look-alike, which most people know of and have a love/hate relationship with, is not a zircon, but rather, a cubic zirconia; a cheap synthetic stone.A natural zircon, on the other hand, is also in fact similar to diamonds and comes in several colors, but it is much softer than a diamond and a cubic zirconia for that matter, and of course demands much lower prices than the real deal. Needless to say, there are plenty of questions regarding zircons, so here are the most frequently asked questions to help you understand them a bit more. What is zircon   What is zircon? A zircon is a type of mineral. It belongs to a group of minerals known as nesosilicates and has a tetragonal crystal system. The name zircon comes from Persia and means golden-colored. However, Zircons are actually found in several colors.   Is a cubic zirconia a mineral? A cubic zirconia is not a mineral. It is a form of zirconia dioxide and due to its similar appearance to diamonds; it is the main competitor for diamond substitutes. Recently, synthetic moissanite, an artificial version of a natural gemstone very similar in appearance to diamonds, has become yet another competing alternative to pricey diamonds.   What is the difference between white zirconia VS diamond? White zirconia is the white form of cubic zirconia, a synthetic stone. A diamond is a natural gemstone, found in deposits. Rough diamonds are cut and polished into the stunning faceted stones that we know and love.Asking what is the difference between white zirconia and diamonds is like asking the difference between genuine leather and faux leather. Despite the apparent visual similarities between the two, nothing about the very different items' compositions is alike, and this is seen clearly throughout time, a closer look, and through knowledgeable eyes. What is white zircon? A white zircon is a natural, white zircon. Natural zircons are found in several colors, including white. White zircons are among the more desirable types of zircons. Zircons of other colors can be treated with heat to become white, or blue, another popular zircon color. What is white zircon (Credit: Rudra Centre)   What is the color of zircon? Zircons can appear in a number of colors such as red, golden yellow, colorless, green, brown, and blue.   What is blue zircon? In addition to colorless zircons, blue zircons are one of the most desirable types of zircons. Various treatments can be applied to natural colored zircons to achieve this unique color, but zircons found naturally with a blue coloring are the most sought after.So, is blue zircon valuable? Absolutely. Zircons are confused with cubic zirconia so often that I answered frequently asked questions about both of these stones in this article. However, it is of utmost importance to differentiate between the two. The only similarity the two stones share is in their names. Everything else is pretty much day and night. LEIBISH 25.14 carat, Blue, Brazilian Zircon, Oval Shape Though zircons have a name of being a cheaper gemstone, some zircons can be quite costly. It is therefore imperative to find out everything possible about natural zircons before going out and buying one, lest you end up with what you thought was a really great-priced zircon but turned out to be a worthless cubic zirconia.Understanding what is zircon and its unique characteristics can help you make informed decisions when purchasing gemstones.

The most precious gemstone, the diamond, is graded based on the 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. With colorless diamonds, every one of these specifications equally matters. When it comes to color diamonds, and colored gemstones for that matter, color takes precedence. After all, a gemstone’s color is truly what sets it apart from other stones. Gemstone color can be broken down into three categories: hue, tone, and saturation.The first factor, hue, refers to the specific color of the stone. It is preferable for a stone to have the purest hue possible. This means that any secondary color should either be nonexistent or minimal.The second factor, tone, describes the level at which the color is seen in the stone. A gemstone can be green, but it can be a very light shade of green or display an extremely deep green color.Lastly, the saturation of a stone is how strongly the stone’s color shows versus any possible gray or brown hues that may be present in the stone. There are some gemstones that can be found in completely different colors, so it is important to ensure that both the gemstone and the color are correct. For example, sapphires can be found in either pink, white, yellow, or the most familiar – blue. Ruby, aquamarine, and emerald can only be found in red, blue and green, respectively, but stones like tanzanite and tourmaline can be found in more than one color as well. LEIBISH 1.29 carat, Pink Sapphire, Emerald Shape   Vivid Hue: Exploring the Spectrum of Gemstone Colors Before the color of any gemstone, can be assessed, its color must first be established. A gemstone appraiser makes sure, for example, that the blue stone that he is looking at is a tourmaline and not a sapphire, or a tanzanite and not an aquamarine. A stone’s hue can be a pure primary color (red, blue, or yellow) or a secondary color, which is the result of primary colors mixing (orange, green, and purple.)A stone’s color can also be mixed with gray, white, or black, which results in the need for yet another grade. When there is gray in a stone, it is the saturation that needs to be graded. When there is white in a stone, it is the tint that needs to be defined. The presence of black in a stone can affect the tone.Most stones are more valuable when there is little tint, though there are some exceptions. LEIBISH Aquamarine and Sapphire stones It is the most desirable for a gemstone to possess a pure color, but more often than not, a stone also has secondary colors. For example, a very valuable ruby may display a pure blood red color, or otherwise they can range from pink to the darkest purple. A pure color can be one of the primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, while secondary colors are those created as a result of primary colors mixing, such as purple, green, and orange. LEIBISH Pinkish Red Marquise shaped Ruby and trilliant cut diamond 3 stone Ring   Tone and Tint: Understanding the Shades of Gemstones The amount of black or white color mixed into the primary color is what determines the tone of a gemstone. A stone will have a dark tone if there is a high percentage of black mixed in. A stone will be very light if there is white mixed in. A stone should not be too dark that you cannot tell what color it is, nor should it be too faint. 2 Sapphires in different tones of blue   That is why on the tone grading scale, the middle grades of medium-dark, medium, and light medium fetch the highest prices. Dark, Light, and Very Light tone gemstones are far less valuable. However, a stone is never graded based on its tone alone. It is the tone combined with the stone’s color that determines its worth. It is not ideal for a gemstone to be too dark or too light, although that may change the price of the stone in your favor. Enhancing Saturation: Maximizing Color Intensity in Gemstones While color is very much desirable in a colored gemstone, and it is preferred for stones to have some traces of black or white, it is very much not desirable for a stone to contain gray or brown color. The less gray and brown in a stone, the higher the saturation level. A stone containing zero gray or brown has yet to be discovered, but if were to be, it would be considered a stone with a 100% saturation. Gemstones with high color saturation are referred to as stones with vivid or strong saturation. The presence of gray in a stone contributes to the saturation level. It is less desirable for a stone to contain gray in it, therefore the less there is of the gray the higher the saturation. A stone with zero gray presence, which would in theory receive a 100% saturation grade, has never been found. A pure red ruby with no gray or brown coloring  A stone can potentially be pure, and free of other hues but it is never free of grey, white or black, and can therefore never receive the highest color grade. But the stone is not based on color alone, but rather, also on its tone. Color grades run 1 through 10. 1-2 is excellent, 3-4 is very good, 4-5 is good, 6-7 is fair, 8-9 is poor, and 9-10 is very poor. Gemstones must be in the 1-4 range with a Medium-Dark to Light –Medium tone to be considered high quality gemstones in terms of color.   Crystal Clear: Navigating Clarity in Gemstones The clarity in gemstones refers to the amount of inclusions in the stone.A gemstone that is Free of Inclusions is a stone that has inclusions that even under 10x magnification cannot be seen.Very Lightly Included stones may or may not have inclusions that can be detected by a professional with a lens.Lightly Included gems have inclusions that are detectable under 10x magnification, but not often with the unaided eye.Moderately Included stones possess inclusions that the naked eye can see but they do not dominate the gem. Heavily Included and Excessively Included stones have clear and visible inclusions that affect the stone’s appearance and in the case of the latter, the stones may not be durable. Part of a stone’s clarity is the brilliance it displays. This is related mostly to the way in which the stone was cut. LEIBISH Tanzanite Ring, Aquamarine Ring and Emerald Ring The depth of a stone is another aspect of gemstones and is related to clarity as well. The height of the stone divided by its minimum width is a stone’s depth. Ideally this should be between 60% and 80%, however this depends greatly on the rough shape of the gem. Stones that are under 50% are considered shallow and may find it hard to maintain saturation. On the other hand, stones over 90% might blackout if it has a dark tone. Precision Cuts: Evaluating Cutting Grades for Multicolored Gemstones The cutting grade for gemstones is just part of the overall grade it receives. The cutting grade is comprised of both the diamond’s brilliance and the diamond’s depth.The grade also includes the general quality and precision of the diamond’s cut and finish. If the cut has any flaws or weaknesses it will be mentioned in this grade. Though it is possible to look at the individual great for each and every aspect, you can keep it simple and look at the overall grade, which summarizes all of the diamond cut’s elements. This grade consists of five levels. These are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Statistics show that 900 out of 1000 diamonds mined will fall into the Fair or Poor categories, while only 1 will receive the Excellent grade. LEIBISH Rosie's Bloom Collection   Weighty Matters: Unveiling the Significance of Gemstone Carat Weight People would generally assume that the bigger the better, and therefore more expensive. However, with gemstones, it is not so black and white.Though many times larger stones are more sought after and therefore far pricier than smaller stones, this isn’t always the case. There are some gemstones such as the ruby, which are often found in large sizes. However, it is extremely difficult to come across a ruby with high clarity. Therefore, a much smaller ruby with few inclusions will cost a pretty penny.Additionally, a stone’s weight does not necessarily reflect its visual appearance. What this means is that a rather heavy stone may be very deep, and much of its weight will not be seen when set in a jewelry setting. On the other hand, a much lighter stone could appear much larger simply because it is shallow but wide. Someone with a tight budget could benefit greatly from such a stone. Red Ruby, Blue Sapphire and Diamond 2 Stone Crossover Ring Nature has left us with many different types of gemstones, each with its own unique features. There are many aspects of a gemstone that need to be examined in order to assess its true worth.However, there are many different laboratories that produce these stones, and some have different grading systems.Additionally, each and every person has different taste. If it is a matter of selecting a gemstone for a jewelry piece, then one should go with the stone that speaks out to him or her. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Aquamarine gemstones are semi-precious gemstones, a blue-green variety of the mineral beryl. While aquamarine stones are mined in locations all around the globe including Sri Lanka, the United States, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya, some of the finest gemstones are found in Brazil. In fact, it was in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Menas Gerais, Brazil, where the original aquamarine gemstone possessing a unique deeply saturated blue hue was discovered. Thus, stones with such a color are now dubbed ‘Santa Maria,’ regardless of their origin. LEIBISH 1.23 carat, Santa Maria, Aquamarine, Oval Shape, Heat treatment   Aquamarine Attributes Although aquamarine stones are semi-precious gemstones, they rank between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Just to compare, diamonds rank 10 and sapphires and rubies rank 9. An aquamarine stone’s hardness can be compared to that of an emerald, which isn’t surprising because emeralds are also a variety of beryl. The Fe2+ ion is responsible for the blue color. Some aquamarine stones display a very blue color, referred to as Maxixe. This color is achieved due to the combinations of ions. When Fe2+, and Fe3+, which causes a deep yellow color, are both present in a stone, a darker blue is created.   The 4 Cs of the Santa Maria Aquamarine Gemstone Most gemstones are assessed using the 4 Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Color is of utmost importance for colored gemstones like aquamarine stones. Therefore, they are first categorized by the quality and type of color that they display, such as a Santa Maria blue. Clarity refers to the imperfections or the lack thereof, within a stone. For colorless stones it is ideal to be as clear and void of inclusions as possible. While it is still of great significance to showcase impressive clarity, color gemstones, particularly beryl, generally possess some sort of imperfection. Having said that, Santa Maria aquamarine gemstones are known for being ‘eye clean,’ meaning, inclusions cannot be detected by the unaided eye. In terms of cut, aquamarine stones need to be cut with sharp angles and symmetric patterns because of their reflective nature. This is why stones with a high clarity can still appear dull if they have a poor cut. Lastly, it is difficult to find a Santa Maria aquamarine in large carat sizes. Half a carat is about the largest size for an average stone. However, LEIBISH is fortunate enough to possess a 1.23-carat Santa Maria oval-shaped aquamarine gemstone. LEIBISH Multi-color Sapphire & Aquamarine Earrings TW 4.95cts   Sources for Aquamarine Gemstones Aquamarine can be found in most locations where regular beryl is unearthed. The original mine that gave birth to the Santa Maria aquamarine has been nearly exhausted of its aquamarine findings, which is why many of today’s Santa Maria aquamarine stones come from various African countries. Mining aquamarine is a lengthy and tiring process, which is part of what makes these gemstones so special. In addition to being a beautiful gemstone with a stunning color, the aquamarine gemstone is also the modern birthstone for March.  Some also have a custom to give this gem as a 19th wedding anniversary gift. There are even those who believe that aquamarine stones have the ability to cure ailments such as thyroid problems and swollen glands. Whether you are in the market for a Santa Maria aquamarine gemstone in order to introduce something unique into your collection, you are looking for a meaningful birthday or wedding anniversary gift, or you would like to try your hand at an unconventional method of healing chronic pain, you will be pleased with the many benefits of the aquamarine stone and its unparalleled beauty.

The concept of birthstones is familiar to many, including those who do not necessarily consider themselves particularly knowledgeable in the realm of gemstones. However, even those who know each month’s birthstones backwards and forwards may not be fully aware of the meaning behind birthstones, where they come from, how they were selected for each month, and which birthstones are the rarest. Check out our collection of gemstones. Here is a compilation of the various birthstones that will direct you to your assigned stone and help you learn a bit about it.   The Meaning Behind Birthstones It is widely believed that each month, or every specific time of each year, has an effect on the people born during that period. Additionally, many cultures have felt that certain gemstones held various powers, and were therefore used for healing purposes, protection, and for renewing energy. That is why the meaning of each and every birthstone can be particularly significant. From January’s garnet, which symbolizes friendship and trust to April’s diamonds, which are associated with love, to September’s sapphires, which are all about trust and loyalty, each birthstone has its own significance as well as energy. LEIBISH Emerald Rings   Birthstone Calendar January February March April Garnet Amethyst Aquamarine Diamond May June July August Emerald Pearl Ruby Peridot September October November December Sapphire Opal Topaz Turquoise   Where Birthstones Come From The idea behind birthstones can be traced all the way back to biblical times when the High Priest wore a breastplate displaying twelve gemstones across four rows. Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes. Later on, twelve gemstones were associated with the twelve apostles. It was since then that gemstones were connected to zodiac signs and birth months, but it was much later on, however, in 15th or 16th century Poland, when birthstones were first worn. Finally, in 1912, the Jewelers of America put together an official list of birthstones, mainly selecting stones that were commercially available as opposed to most suitable from a sign perspective. Each of these stones, which include garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, opal, topaz, and zircon, are mined in different parts of the world in varying quantities. Garnets are discovered all across the globe, but especially in Africa, Asia, South America, and in the United States. Most amethysts are mined in Zambia but are also found in several locations in South America including Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina as well as in Asia, the United States, and Canada. The majority of aquamarine stones come from Brazil, while the biggest producer for diamonds is Russia but is closely followed by Africa, India, and Australia. Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia are the main contributors for emeralds, whereas alexandrite has been found in Russia, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. Rubies are mined all across the planet, as are peridots. Sapphires on the other hand are only mined in a few locations worldwide. These include Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka. Australia puts itself on the map for being the main source for opals while topaz is mined in many countries spanning six continents. Zircon comes from Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar) and can sometimes be found in Canada.   How Gemstones are Selected as Birthstones The modern birthstone list, as we know it, was influenced by a couple of factors. Zodiac signs impacted the development of the concept of birthstones and the practical realities related to the trade of gemstones are basically what finalized the designated birthstones. Therefore, birthstones were somewhat arbitrarily chosen for each month based on the overall availability, accessibility, and cost of the stones at the start of the 20th century. However, the initial representation of the stones based on the zodiac stones had a strong impact as well, and can be seen in months like January, which has the element of air, symbolized by the garnet. Similarly, February with its water element has the suitable amethyst as its birthstone. Of course the zodiac signs overlap months whereas birth months do not. That is why this aspect of the inspiration for birthstone selection is only just partial.   The Rarest Birthstones While some birthstones are easier to come by than others, all gemstones, especially precious gemstones, are considered quite rare. However, the price tags can be misleading in terms of rarity as some really expensive stones are not so rare and vice versa. For example, April’s diamond, though pricey, is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. While on the topic of alexandrite, this is currently the rarest gemstone on the birthstone list and can come at quite a cost. Black opals are also incredibly rare. Birthstones offer an interesting way of choosing jewelry. They allow individuals to explore gemstones they may otherwise steer clear of. At the same time, birthstones are not necessarily what people think they are, so when choosing birthstone jewelry, ensure you are purchasing it for the correct reasons.   Birthstones By Color Every month of the year has a birthstone. But what are those stones and in which colors do they appear? From Garnet, January’s birthstone to Zircon, December’s birthstone, let us take a look at the year’s stunning stones and their beautiful hues. LEIBISH Gemstones and Diamond Halo Drop Earrings (8.27Ct TW) In order to make sense of birthstones, color-wise, we will divide them by color. We will focus on the primary color of the months’ main birthstones.   Red/Pink Luckily, the first month of the year, January, has a birthstone that fits into this category so we can start with some sort of order. The garnet is a dark red gemstone that is often mistaken for a ruby. Though they are both pleasant to look at, are both red, and can appear similar, garnets are far less expensive than rubies but are also less durable and are overall not as red. July’s birthstone is the ruby. Rubies belong to the mineral family of corundum and rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness right after diamonds. They are one of the four precious gemstones along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. Rubies are essentially the red variety of a sapphire. Sapphires that are not considered red enough are known as pink sapphires. Spinel is the additional birthstone for August. The main birthstone is peridot. Red spinel is the most desired color for spinel and is a cheaper alternative to rubies. It can also be pink. Tourmaline is the second birthstone for October and is found in a range of colors including a breathtaking pink. LEIBISH 2.49 carat unheated pear shaped ruby and diamond halo ring   Yellow/Orange November’s main birthstone is topaz, which is yellow. Its other stone is citrine, which is also yellow.   LEIBISH oval citrine set, including a gorgeous ring, pendant and earrings   Green You don’t get much greener than the green of an emerald, which is May’s delightful birthstone. Emeralds are one of the four precious gemstones and rank 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Other green stones include peridot, which is August’s main birthstone. Peridot actually only appears in green, and it’s more of an olive green. LEIBISH Vivid Blue Sapphire Pendant and Green Tourmaline and Diamond Drop Earrings   Blue Blue is the most common color for birthstones. Three main birthstones are known for their blue colors, while one additional main birthstone known for another color can also be found in blue, and additional birthstones are blue as well. Let’s begin with aquamarine, the birthstone for March. This calming stone displays a very refreshing shade of blue. It sometimes can have a combination of green and blue. September’s birthstone is the sapphire. Sapphires are mainly known for their deep blue variety but sapphires actually appear in a rainbow of colors. For our intents and purposes we will focus on the blue sapphire. Sapphires are another one of the four precious gemstones and are priced accordingly. As mentioned earlier, they are the sister stone to the ruby and also rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness right after the diamond. Zircon is the main birthstone for December in the United States. It is known for its colorless variety but it also appears in blue as well as other colors. Tanzanite and turquoise, also blue stones, are the secondary birthstones for this month and are the only birthstones for December in the UK. Alexandrite is one of June’s two gemstones and can be found with a blue hue but is mostly known for its color-changing abilities. The other stone for this month is the pearl. LEIBISH 1.21 carat Blue Sapphire Men's Ring   Purple The gemstone known for its purple color is the amethyst of course. This stone belongs to February. Other gemstones that may display a purple color are fancy color diamonds, sapphires, spinel, and tourmaline. Amethysts are part of the quartz family. They rank 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. LEIBISH Sapphire & Diamond Halo Earrings   Colorless/White April’s birthstone is the most popular colorless/white stone on the planet, the diamond. Many people are unaware that diamonds are actually found in other colors as well. These are known as fancy color diamonds. Diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness and are the hardest substance known to man. One of June’s birthstones is the pearl, which has a creamy opaque white color. Lastly, October’s famous birthstone, the opal, has a whitish appearance but often has a blue overtone and can contain a variety of colors as well. Additional birthstones have colorless varieties such as sapphires and emeralds. Just to review, here is a list of all the birthstones and their colors: January: Garnet - Red February: Amethyst – Purple March: Aquamarine – Blue April: Diamond – Colorless May: Emerald – Green June: Pearl – Cream July: Ruby – Red August: Peridot – Green September: Sapphire – Blue October: Opal – Whitish base, exhibits different colors November: Topaz – Yellow, Citrine – Yellow December: Zircon – Colorless/Blue, Turquoise – Blue, Tanzanite – Blue (and other colors) Take a look at our collection gemstone jewelry and let us know which ones you like best!

The thing that most people find the most shocking about rubies and sapphires when learning about them for the first time is that they are both from the same mineral. In fact, aside from their coloring, they are essentially the same stone. Both rubies and sapphires are varieties of the mineral corundum. This mineral is found in an array of colors but is mostly known for its blue hue. Pink, orange, yellow, green, and purple sapphires exist as well.   Red Sapphires Red sapphires would exist too except they were given their very own category, rubies. The color is what sets each of these stones apart, caused by the particular internal structure of the mineral. Let us take a closer look at these two gemstones and at what sets them apart from one another. LEIBISH ruby and a white diamond   Sapphires and Rubies - Lets Talk Science The Al2O3 Crystal Crystals of pure Al2O3 are known as corundum. When in gem form, they are called colorless sapphires. The structure of this mineral consists of six oxygen atoms that surround every aluminum atom, creating a somewhat distorted octahedron. Though there are three oxygen atoms above the aluminum atom and three below, they are placed a little differently. The bottom atoms are set slightly further apart from one another than the atoms above. This is how half of the aluminum atoms are arranged. The other half is exactly the opposite. The aluminum atom is a positive ion surrounded by six negative ions. At the same time, the surrounding negative oxygen atoms receive two electrons thus ensuring there are no unoccupied energy levels. This arrangement means that every two aluminum atoms give six electrons and every three oxygen atoms get six electrons altogether in order to produce Al2O3. This allows for a crystal field to be created. This is the case for pure corundum; when the electrons are paired differently and when atoms are replaced, the makeup of the crystal changes. Click Through for more information on Sapphires LEIBISH 3.69 carat, Blue, Sapphire, Cushion Shape   Sapphires vs Rubies With pure corundum, there is no absorption of light, thus no color. When one in every hundred aluminum atoms is replaced by a chromium atom, it must donate three electrons like the oxygen atoms in order to become Cr3+ and replace Al3+. This is so that the charge stays the same. There are no partially filled orbitals or energy levels in Al3+ but there are in Cr3+. These are the very electrons that can be triggered and can lead to the absorption of light, which essentially creates the color in rubies. Traces of iron, titanium, chromium, copper, and magnesium are what upset the otherwise “perfect” makeup of pure corundum and lead to the blue color of sapphires. The cause for the different colors of corundum, thus creating sapphires and rubies, is extremely scientific yet unbeknownst to the average gemstone customer. Interestingly enough, color diamonds work similarly with various elements leading to different color diamonds. The presence of nitrogen in diamonds, for instance, is what causes yellow diamonds, and boron leads to blue diamonds. Science is fascinating and confusing, but who knew it could be so beautiful?   Shop Our Collection of Gemstones and Gemstone Jewelry Today!

While sapphires are mainly known for their blue variety, many other colors exist as well, including white. This transparent stone has been compared to a diamond due to its similarity, but there are vast differences. Still, white sapphires have a unique charm; something that sets them apart from other colorless stones and from their colored sapphire counterparts. Here is a look at this interesting stone, its benefits, and how it compares with other stones, particularly diamonds.   About the Stone The white sapphire is the colorless version of a sapphire. Sapphires are mostly recognized for their deep blue hue, but there are other colors too such as pink, yellow, green, and of course, white. At first glance the stone may look identical to some other popular colorless stones such as a diamond, a moissanite, and a topaz. However, upon further investigation one can notice the cloudier appearance of the stone; especially when held up next to another stone. White sapphires tend to display a cloudy white look. Like all sapphires, blue sapphires included, white sapphires are a form of the mineral corundum, which ranks 9 on the Moh’s scale of hardness right after diamonds. It is a rather durable stone that was created under the earth’s surface over millions of years.   White Sapphires Vs. Diamonds With its similar appearance to diamonds and substantially lower prices, the white sapphire seems like the perfect alternative to the beautiful yet pricey diamond. Putting the prestige factor aside for a moment, since one can’t help but acknowledge that diamonds are inseparable from prestige and status, there are still plenty of differences between a white sapphire and a diamond. For starters, a white sapphire does not exude brilliance, the fiery element that only a girl’s best friend is capable of showcasing. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise; since this is truly what diamonds are known for and what makes them so expensive. Still, when looking at the two stones side by side, it may come as a quite a shock what a difference the brilliance and scintillation of a diamond can make. All of a sudden the shiny transparent white sapphire looks dull next to the gleaming diamond. Aside from the brilliance though, diamonds and sapphires can look quite remarkably similar to the untrained eye. If you care less about the shine and more about the size and price of the stone, a white sapphire might be for you. Having an untraditional stone, whether it’s for an engagement ring or any other piece of jewelry, has its own special charm and appeal.   Advantages of a White Sapphire Though we have already touched upon the main characteristics of a white sapphire and how it differs from a diamond, we have yet to really focus on this remarkable stone’s many advantages. The cost factor is a standout element here. The prices for white sapphires are far lower than diamonds. This means you can get a much larger stone. Another advantage of these transparent stones is that they can be used as side stones instead of splurging on more diamonds for your piece of jewelry. They can also be used to replace diamonds that have fallen out instead of buying the real thing again or settling for cubic zirconia. Lastly, never forget that sapphires, even white sapphires, are one of the four precious gemstones, which include diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. This means that while they may not be diamonds, they are certainly rare and special. Like all gemstones, white sapphires should be selected carefully. Only go to a trusted dealer who can ensure that the stone you are buying is genuine and high quality. Serious flaws can be hiding in a stone unbeknownst to you, or it can be a complete knockoff altogether. Do your research and shop carefully. Though we don’t hold any white Sapphires, at least at the moment this was written, browse through our Sapphire jewelry collection and let us know what you like best!  

Every gemstone, or any kind of product for that matter, always has that unique version, which is rare, more beautiful or special than its counterparts in some way or another, and valuable. When talking about sapphires, the ‘star sapphire’ fits into this category, as it is unusual and highly sought after. Sapphires are well known for their blue variety, though many other colors such as pink, yellow, and green sapphires exist as well. Those familiar with this term will know that the name ‘star’ refers to the star-like phenomenon that is present in some stones. It can also appear in rubies, which are known as ‘star rubies’. The reason this phenomenon occurs in both gemstones is because for all intents and purposes, sapphires and rubies are the same gemstone. They are just different colors. To be fair, the fiery red color is a major differentiator and those stones that merely display a pale red or pink hue are known as pink sapphires and not rubies. The star shape is actually formed by intersecting needle inclusions. In general, inclusions are not something one wants in a stone, but in this case, these flaws work in the gem’s favor.   What is a Star Sapphire? About the Inclusions In order to understand the uniqueness of this stone, one must understand the complex nature of the inclusions that give it its distinct feature. A mineral called rutile, which is comprised of titanium dioxide, usually causes the inclusions. The needle-like inclusions form a star shape in a miraculous way. Star Sapphire, Courtesy of By Mitchell Gore Star Sapphire Colors Twelve Ray Stars Though six-ray star sapphires are rare enough, there is even a more unusual stone. This one displays a twelve-ray star. The phenomenon occurs when two types of inclusions are present in the stone: the rutile mineral and platelets of hematite. Rutile inclusions create a whitish star whereas hematite results in a golden star. The two stars become superimposed upon each other during the crystallization process, thus forming a twelve-ray star.   Largest Star Sapphires Large sapphires are hard to come by, but large star sapphires are nearly impossible to find. That’s why the 1404.49-carat blue star sapphire is so famous. Called ‘The Star of Adam,’ the stone was mined in the south of Sri Lanka and is the largest blue star sapphire. The second largest is the Star of India, a 563.4-carat blue star sapphire, while the ‘Star of Bombay’ is yet another example of a large blue star sapphire. ‘Black Star of Queensland’ is the largest black star sapphire. At 733 carats it is the largest gem quality black star sapphire. While sapphires are mainly assessed based on their color and weight, star sapphires are also graded according to the intensity, visibility, and color, of the asterism. If you are interested in such a stone, make certain to have this feature assessed carefully by a professional along with the other important elements of a sapphire. Browse our collection of Sapphire jewelry. 

Anyone who thought a sapphire was simply a blue gemstone could not be more wrong. While stunning blue sapphires certainly do exist and are quite popular, many other colors and forms of sapphires do as well. For instance, there are yellow sapphires, white sapphires, purple sapphires, star sapphires, and there are even color change sapphires. This last type of sapphire is comparable to a chameleon diamond, which is a natural color diamond that changes colors, hence the name. This variety displays various colors in different lighting. From blue to purple, green to gray-green, and pink to reddish-violet, these stones are rare and hard to come by thus making them valuable and prestigious. LEIBISH Royal Blue Sapphire and White diamonds Extraordinary Double Halo Ring   Color Change Sapphire Sources Sapphires are found all around the globe including Eastern Australia, China, Madagascar, and Montana in the United States. Color change sapphires in particular can be discovered in Thailand and Tanzania. Other types of sapphires can be found in Thailand as well.   Color Change Sapphire Vs. Alexandrite The color changes that can be seen in these rare sapphires are similar to color combinations that we see in some other gemstones, like alexandrite. In fact, when talking about synthetic color change sapphires, the color change is remarkably similar to that of natural alexandrite, so much so that these synthetic versions are sometimes marketed with the name ‘alexandrium’ and ‘synthetic alexandrite.’ Although these nicknames might seem harmless, they are quite misleading. Synthetic color change sapphires may look like alexandrite stones, but in terms of their structure, they are nothing alike. That’s because alexandrite is a variety of the chrysoberyl mineral and is not a sapphire, which is a completely different mineral. Therefore, this sapphire replica is more like an alexandrite simulant. LEIBISH Oval Alexandrite and Diamond Double Halo Pendant   Each and every type of sapphire is special in its own way but if you are after something truly different, a color change sapphire might be just the thing. Star sapphires are another variety that is extremely unique. These stones display a star-like shape that is breathtaking. Regardless of whichever sapphire speaks to you the most, it is imperative to do the necessary research prior to making a purchase and asking all the right questions beforehand. Take a look at our Sapphire Jewelry collection and let us know which pieces you like most!

There are just some words that you don't imagine seeing being paired together, such as “yellow” and “emeralds,” and yet we will never really know of all the remarkable gifts the world has to offer. Green emerald fans and enthusiast who were somehow under the impression that emeralds are only found in one hue, green, will be disappointed (or delighted) to learn that emeralds actually exist in a number of colors including yellow. The following will provide you with a bit of information regarding this unusual gem and what is important to know before purchasing yellow emeralds. Emerald and Diamond Jewelry   Value-Determining Properties Yellow emeralds, like all emeralds, and all gemstones for that matter, are assessed based on the 4 Cs (color, cut, clarity, and carat). While diamonds are widely known for being graded in this manner, it is a lesser-known fact that colored gemstones are also classified by these categories, though it does work a bit differently. Let us begin with the color of an emerald. Similar to fancy color diamonds, an emerald's color is assessed based on its hue, saturation, and tone. The saturation of the emerald, what one might call the color intensity of a fancy colored diamond, is especially important because it can determine whether or not it is considered an emerald. Only stones that are medium to dark are classified as emeralds. Light stones are simply known as green beryl, or in this case, yellow beryl. Emeralds range in color from yellow-green to blue-green thereby making yellow and blue the most common secondary colors found in emeralds. Like fancy color diamonds, color is the most important factor, unlike colorless diamonds for example where all 4 Cs are of equal importance. The purer the color the better and the more expensive it is, which is why a pure yellow emerald would cost quite the pretty penny. As far as clarity, emeralds, including yellow emeralds, are much softer stones than diamonds and therefore will generally have some kind of inclusion. That is why they are inspected by eye instead of with a loupe, which is standard for grading a diamond's clarity. Therefore, emeralds that appear clean according to a professional eye are considered flawless, which is the highest clarity grade and the reason they demand the highest value. The cut and carat size of a yellow emerald are significant as well, but they depend greatly on the other 2 Cs. This is because the rarer the color, i.e. a pure yellow emerald, the harder it is to come across a large stone, thereby making smaller carat sizes worth large sums. The same goes for the cut. Certain cuts are sometimes used to abolish the flaws, which may take away from a stone's carat size and ideal cut, but at the same time, will provide a better quality stone. If this gem also happens to have superb color, it can end up being a valuable emerald. That is why aside from color as the main element, the other Cs are very much dependent on one another and the stone as a whole.   Yellow Emerald Sources As far as we know, emeralds have been mined for centuries upon centuries. We know about emerald mining in Egypt as far back as 1500 BCE. Other notable emerald sources in antiquity include India, and Austria since the 14th century CE. In modern times, Colombia is the primary producer of emeralds, with the past decade seeing a serious increase in production numbers. Zambia is another major contributor, but emeralds are found worldwide from Afghanistan to Brazil to Russia, Zimbabwe, and many other countries.   Famous Yellow Emeralds While there are several famous green emeralds, yellow emeralds are far rarer and have therefore surfaced less. There are no especially famous yellow emeralds to date. Many emerald consumers are after the gemstone because of its unique color. Though green emeralds have an undeniable beauty, yellow emeralds have something completely different to offer. They differ from their yellow gemstone counterparts such as yellow diamonds and citrine, and they have their own individual beauty that too cannot be denied.