Posted by Greg Magnus on November 3, 2010 at 08:27 am
The November birthstone is Citrine!
Citrine: The birthstone for November is Citrine. This lovely gem comes in a wide variety of colors; Cognac, Madeira, Honey, Uruguay, etc. We cut citrine gemstones into many shapes and sizes for rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry. There are a wide variety of Citrines available from Gems by James.
NOTE: Citrine and many other gemstones such as Read More
Posted by Greg Magnus on October 11, 2010 at 07:49 am
October birthstones are Tourmaline and Opal!
Tourmaline: Tourmaline is one of the favorite gemstones among designers and collectors. It occurs naturally in a wide variety of colors and it is known for displaying multiple colors in the same gemstone. One variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, which is green, pink, and white color bands. There are many sources including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA.
Opal: The name opal is derived from the Greek “Opallos” meaning to see a change. In the case of opals, the radiance is seen as a change of color. They range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue.
Click here to view a few of the Tourmaline and Opal gemstones available in our shop.
NOTE: Tourmaline, Opal and many other gemstones such as Sapphire, Peridot, and Aquamarine may be special ordered from Gems by James. Please contact us for additional details.
Tags:birthstone, Bracelets, Earrings, gemsbyjames.com, gemstone, hand crafted jewelry, metal rings, october birthstone, opal, tourmaline
Filed Under: Birthstones, Opal, Tourmaline
Posted by Greg Magnus on September 7, 2010 at 13:24 pm
September, the birthstone is Sapphire!
Sapphire: Sapphire has been popular since the Middle Ages. According to folklore, sapphires will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven and people thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Sapphires occur in a wide range of colors; from very light to very dark greenish or violet-blue, and various shades of blue. It is a variety of corundum, which occurs in all colors. Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, etc.). Sapphire is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.
NOTE: Sapphire, Peridot, Aquamarine and many other birthstones can be special ordered from Gems by James. Please contact us for additional details.
Posted by Greg Magnus on August 4, 2010 at 16:43 pm
The birthstone for August is Peridot.
A transparent yellowish-green Magnesium/Iron Silicate, Peridot is a gem variety of the mineral Chrysolite or Olivine. Peridot ranges in color from light yellow-green, olive green and brownish green. The intensity and tint of the green depends on the crystal’s iron content. The most valuable gem is the dark-olive green color. Tinges of brown or visible flaws greatly diminish the gems value.
Olivine, of which peridot is a type, is a common mineral in mafic and ultramafic rocks, and it is often found in lavas and in peridotite xenoliths of the mantle, which lavas carry to the surface; but gem quality peridot only occurs in a fraction of these settings. In general, Olivine is a very abundant mineral but gem quality peridot is rather rare.
In the U.S., Peridot olivine is mined in North Carolina, Arizona on the San Carlos Reservation, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico. And, it is also mined in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
NOTE: Peridot can be special ordered from Gems by James. Please contact us for additional details.
