Gemstones Archives - Page 2 of 3

Diamonds – April’s Renowned Birthstone

For those lucky enough to be born in the month of April, we have good news for you: Your birthstone is the illustrious, famous, and sparkling diamond. As the saying goes, “Diamonds are forever” – and in more ways than one. Diamonds are extraordinarily durable in both physical strength and historical staying power – in fact, it’s quite possible that diamonds have been a part of human civilization for many millennia – and for good reason, too. Let’s take a look now at how diamonds came to achieve their lofty status, and how you might incorporate one or more of them into a stunning work of art right here at Knox Jewelers.

The History and Mythology of Diamonds

Diamonds have a rich and complex past. Countless cultures and civilizations throughout history and around the world have coveted and revered diamonds for their stunning and unique properties. From India to Italy to Brazil, diamonds have captivated countless generations. Although the sources of diamonds and the major players in the market have changed dramatically over the past few hundred years, one aspect of them has remained constant: They have been prized for their splendor and beauty, and as the remnants of aristocracy made way for the middle class of the modern era, they have only grown in popularity.

From the sultans to the kings and queens to the middle class, diamonds have forever remained a staple of human culture, and we have no doubt that they will continue on this path for countless millennia to come. Why are we so sure about this? Let’s take a look now at just how alluring and special diamonds truly are. After all, they have been brewing beneath the surface for millions – if not billions – of years.

Just What Exactly Makes Diamonds So Unique?

But just what makes diamonds so unique and beautiful? Indeed, the answer to this question is more nuanced than you may have assumed. We all know that diamonds are rare, but what makes them different? To answer this question, we need to take a close look at the properties of these stunning stones.

Firstly, diamonds – without exception – are all composed of the same chemical components. In fact, they’re the only stones that are made of one element – carbon. Each and every diamond shares the same internal structure that gives it its superb strength. These stones are so strong that they are 58 times harder than anything else that you’ll find in nature, and they were formed billions of years ago during the creation of the earth by interstellar forces and bodies.

Incorporating Diamonds into Jewelry

At Knox Jewelers, we have been designing stunning engagement rings, earrings, pendants, and more for our happy customers for decades, and many of these pieces have utilized a diamond center stone or in a micro pave arrangement. Among engagement rings, diamonds are very popular. Whatever your plans may be, we’re here to help you pick the right design for your special someone.

Diamonds are extremely versatile, and can be used in any number of pieces. They blend well with all metal types, including white, yellow, and rose golds, platinum, and more. Additionally, they can even work well with other center stones, such as in our micro pave configuration. Whether you’re looking to use a diamond in an engagement ring, or just in a special gift for that special someone (who happens to have a fortuitous birthday in April), you’re bound to find exactly what you need at Knox Jewelers.

See More Diamond Jewelry Today at Knox Jewelers!

If you or a loved one has an April birthday, then the diamond is the right stone for you. We would be honored to have the opportunity to show you some of our stunning diamond designs up close, and we think that you will agree with the praise we have heaped upon them here. If you would like to learn more about using a diamond center stone or micro pave design in an engagement ring for your special someone, we encourage you to get in touch with us today to begin the conversation. Our friendly, veteran staff are here to work together with you to design a work of art that will stand the test of time. Don’t be shy – get in touch with us today!

Aquamarine – March’s Glittering Jewel

There are a lot of reasons why having a March birthday is awesome: Firstly, you’re born right on the cusp of spring and the warm weather (especially for those of us in northern environs). Secondly, your birthstone is the lovely aquamarine, a gemstone which derives its name from the Latin term aqua – meaning water – and marine – meaning of the sea. Water of the sea. Stunning, no? And for those lucky individuals with a March birthday, Knox Jewelers offers an outstanding selection of handmade aquamarine jewelry to celebrate this special month. Now, let’s take a look at the history of aquamarine, how to pick the best possible gemstone for your jewelry, and some examples of custom engagement rings we have designed and crafted for our clients in the past.

Aquamarine Background

Even in its natural, unrefined state, aquamarine is one of the most visually awe-inspiring gemstones in the world, and these crystals are widely renown and valued very highly on the market. To be specific, aquamarine is a blue-hued variety of beryl, a mineral from which we also derive emeralds. Sometimes, a heat treatment is applied to increase the intensity of blue, though many instances found in the wild are often perfectly suitable as-is for use in jewelry making.

Choosing the Right Gemstone

The quality of a given aquamarine gemstone depends on a number of individual factors, including color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Let’s break down each factor one at a time to get a good feel for how these stones are valued in the marketplace. The color range for aquamarine tends to be confined to the spectrum of intense blue to greenish-blue. A general trend in color valuation is that more intense blues tend to be worth more in the open market, though this rule does have its exceptions. For clarity, most specimens have few if any visible inclusions. Stones that have inclusions of this sort tend to be worth less. As for cuts, any and all can be used, though ones that are used for emeralds are also widely used for aquamarine. Finally, larger stones tend to have less demand.

How to Care for Aquamarine Jewelry

In general, aquamarine is a hardy stone. However, it is susceptible to physical damage and heat, so it is very important to ensure that you keep it out of situations which could result in these forms of damage. As for cleaning, it is a relatively simple procedure to keep your aquamarine jewelry in tip-top shape: Simply use warm, soapy water to gently rinse and clean the surface. You should not expose your aquamarine jewelry to harsh chemicals or other invasive cleaning methods, as this could cause serious and irreparable damage.

Unique Engagement Rings at Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, we’ve been crafting – by hand – stunning and unique aquamarine jewelry and engagement rings for our customers for decades, and we’ve always striven to provide only the best customer service and attention to detail in the industry. Whether you’re looking for, whether it’s an engagement ring for that special someone or just a surprise for their birthday, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at Knox Jewelers.

Stunning Combinations

Aquamarine center stones look absolutely great with just about any combination of metal and design. On our website here at Knox Jewelers, you can browse through all of the designs that we have crafted for our customers in the past. Although the samples shown in their preview images will have different gemstones, we would be more than happy to customize your preferred piece with a beautiful aquamarine center stone – all you have to do is ask! As for what combinations work best, we think that white gold and platinum look great for those who are interested in a clean, elegant design. Yellow gold and rose gold can also be used to create a contrast effect that looks modern and sophisticated. Regardless of the direction you’re leaning toward, we have you and your aquamarine needs covered!

Have Any Questions?

Are you interested in aquamarine engagement rings or other jewelry? Great! We’d love to chat with you about your interests and get a feel for what you’re looking to create. Get in touch with our friendly staff soon, and we’ll get started on making your dreams a reality!

Ametrine – A Fascinating Natural Phenomenon

One of the more unique and visually dynamic gemstones is the ametrine stone, a transparent quartz variant which incorporates two distinct zones of color derived from both amethyst and citrine. The stone acquires this stunning color gradient from the combination of the trace chemicals which comprise amethyst and citrine, thus leading to the development of this extraordinary and unique stone. If you are looking to represent both February and November birthdays, then ametrine is the perfect gem for the job. Let’s take a closer look now at how to choose the right ametrine stone, how to care for these remarkable gems, and how they can be incorporated into a custom engagement ring or wedding band, pendant, or other jewelry piece here at Knox Jewelers.

The Rich History of Ametrine

The history of ametrine stems from a long and rich cultural heritage. A legend surrounding the genesis of ametrine comes to us from the Europeans: It is said that a Spanish conquistador in the 17th century happened across the original Bolivian mine, and subsequently introduced the unique gemstones found within to the Spanish monarch. However, the location of the mine faded into mythology, only to be discovered again in 1960. Commercial mining operations began shortly thereafter, and in 1970 production ramped up, thus introducing ametrine into the marketplace once more.

How to Choose the Perfect Ametrine Gemstone

The only extant source of commercial ametrine mining lies in a deposit residing in eastern Bolivia. Unsurprisingly, this is also a mining site which produces commercially significant quantities of amethyst and citrine stones. In choosing a quality ametrine stone, you’ll want to look at the following factors: color gradient, cut, clarity, and carat weight. In terms of color, the finest ametrine specimens typically display an intense purple to orange gradient, usually with a clear boundary between the two poles. For ametrine cuts, the most expensive and fine stones typically incorporate the craftsmanship of designer cuts to achieve breathtaking effects. Clarity is also essential, and the majority of quality ametrine stones exhibit no visible inclusions or other artifacts. Finally, the size of a particular ametrine specimen and its color gradient are closely correlated – bigger is better (especially in the range of over 5 carats).

How to Care for Ametrine Gemstones

Caring for ametrine jewelry is quite simple. Hot water and soapy, foamy water are all that is necessary to keep your jewelery looking as good as new – no cleaning solutions or other potentially damaging products are required to keep these gems clean and spotless. We strongly recommend avoiding exposing your ametrine jewelry to harsh chemicals or other situations which could result in damage to the stone – exercise caution, especially in situations of physical exertion.

Ametrine Rings at Knox Jewelers

We have designed numerous custom engagement rings and wedding bands for our customers in the past, and many of these designs would look even more stunning with an ametrine center stone. Whether you are interested in a gold (yellow, white, or rose are all great choices)or platinum band, ametrine is bound to look great. We can also incorporate a number of stunning design flourishes, including hand engraving and other forms of handcrafted design elements. All of these facets are combined to form a beautiful finished product that connotes the special bond that you share with your loved one. Check out our collection of unique designs and see for yourself just how much attention to detail and innovation our designers put forward on each and every piece.

Design a Custom Ametrine Ring for Your Loved One

At Knox Jewelers, it is our mission to help you design a beautiful ametrine engagement ring or wedding band with a unique character that encompasses your love and admiration for your partner. To learn more about the design process and how you can be an essential part of it, get in touch with our friendly staff today to get started. We will walk you through each and every step on the way to designing your very own engagement ring or wedding band for your partner, and it is sure to be an experience of a life time. We look forward to meeting you soon and embarking upon this journey!

Orange Garnet – January’s Radiant Jewel

For those lucky individuals with January birthdays, there are a lot of options from which to choose when it comes to garnet stones. An oft-overlooked color of garnet is the radiant orange garnet, also known by its mineral classifications hessonite, spessartine, and mandarin. Hessonite, also known as Cinnamon Stone, is a type of grossular, which is a species of garnet. Hessonite has a very distinct red hue which gravitates toward orange and yellow, though hessonite is often heavily included and is rarely used in jewelry. Spessartine, on the other hand, is another species of garnet with characteristic orange and light-red color tones. Finally, mandarin garnets are a specific type of spessartine with a fiery and radiant orange color. We know that’s a lot of different terms to throw around, so let’s take a look at the history of these beautiful stones, how you might use the orange garnets to create unique engagement rings or wedding bands with a stunning and innovative look, and what to look for in a high-quality orange garnet.

Hessonite-Garnet-300x168 Gemstones — Hessonite Garnet

Spessartite-examples-300x169 Gemstones — Spessartite/Mandarin Garnet

The History of Orange Garnets

The garnet stone has a rich and detailed historical legacy. Emperors, kings, philosophers, generals, and famous individuals of all kinds have worn jewelry adorned with beautiful garnet stones for centuries. The garnet has been exceedingly popular in Europe, especially throughout the 1700’s and 1800’s, wherein they were prized for their rich hues and tones. In fact, Spanish astrologers once used the garnet to signify the sun – indeed, the orange garnet is almost perfect for representing the radiant beauty of the sun. We have only seen the garnet in present in a variety of mythological and literary works, thus lending credence to the fact that the garnet is one of the most desirable gemstones in the entire industry and has been for some time.

What to Look for in an Orange Garnet

As with all gemstones, your primary considerations with orange garnets are going to revolve around clarity and color, as well as durability. Most spessartines, including mandarin garnets, have excellent Mohs hardness and durability while also sporting strong and deep colors and excellent clarity. At Knox Jewelers, we will help you to select the perfect orange garnet for your piece and ensure that it passes muster in all aspects to ensure that your engagement ring or wedding band is absolutely perfect and stunning.

What Makes Garnet The Perfect January Birthstone

Orange may not be the most popular color when it comes to gemstones, but don’t be too quick to write off orange garnets. Spessartine and mandarin garnets can be combined with a variety of different metals to create a truly beautiful piece which is both exciting and elegant. For centuries, orange gemstones have been used to create jewelry with evocative and rich feelings, images, and patterns, all of which have contributed to the uniqueness and fashion of these orange garnets. For individuals seeking to integrate a powerful red gemstone into their jewelry, and especially for those individuals with January birthdays, an orange garnet is the perfect choice.

Garnet Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

At Knox Jewelers, we have crafted a rich and varied collection of unique engagement rings and wedding bands for our customers in the past. All of the designs we have created for our customers can utilize any gemstone you can imagine, including orange garnets. A stunning combination is to utilize a white gold or platinum band in conjunction with an orange garnet setting – the contrast of these two elements creates a stunning and exciting synthesis of color, elegance, and beauty, all of which contribute to making your custom engagement ring or wedding band a one of a kind piece of jewelry.

Have Any Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you are thinking about utilizing an orange garnet gemstone in a custom jewelry piece, then please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Here at Knox Jewelers, we have long worked with orange garnets and have crafted some truly exquisite pieces for our customers, and we would be happy to help you design a unique ring which uniquely describes you or your loved one. We are not only available to answer your questions, but we would also be glad to walk you through the entire process of designing a unique piece of jewelry just for you, from start to finish. We look forward to meeting you and working together with you soon!

Green Garnet – January’s Great Beauty

While red garnets are among the most popular variants of garnet on the market today, two types of green garnet, Tsavorite and Demantoid, are also stunning, beautiful, and perfect for that special someone with a January birthday. At Knox Jewelers, we enjoy creating custom rings with our customers to include colorful center stones or whatever other details you may desire. Let’s take a closer look now at the different between the Tasvorite and Demantoid garnet types and see which one is best suited for you.

Tsavorite: Perfect Clarity, Color, and Strength

Tsavorite derives its name from the location where it was found in Tsavo, Kenya. It was discovered by Campbell Bridges, a Scottish geologist who dedicated his life to championing the African gem mining industry. The unique properties of Tasvorite are derived from the fact that it is completely natural and produced entirely in nature – in other words, no heating or other artificial processes are necessary. Tsavorite is known for its intensely green color and outstanding dispersion and brilliance, important factors which make it more than an equal match for emerald. In fact, Tsavorite is even more durable than comparable emerald gemstones, making it a superior option at only a fraction of the cost.

Demantoid: Among the Most Brilliant

Demantoid (meaning ‘ diamond like ‘) is another type of green garnet that is most well known for its higher refractive index and dispersion when compared to Tasvorite and other green grossular variants. Although relatively obscure in terms of popularity, demantoid is among the most brilliant of gemstones, and most definitely so among the garnet family. As a green andradite, it has slightly better intrinsic properties than its counterparts, though it is also somewhat softer. Demantoid garnet is stunning, and was the favored gem of Imperial Russia for time. This particular garnet variation is rare however, and can be quite expensive to acquire jewelry grade gems.

Custom Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands by Knox Jewelers

Both Tsavorite and Demantoid are fantastic choices for those customers who are looking to design a unique engagement ring or wedding band with a green garnet stone setting. Green garnet stones can be coupled with practically any kind band or design, including the various golds (white, rose, yellow), platinum, and more. Furthermore, the designs we have crafted from scratch for customers in the past can be outfitted with a green garnet stones for a unique and beautiful touch.

Get in Touch with Us!

We are a friendly crowd here at Knox Jewelers, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about green garnet stones. We are gladly able to assist you in coming up with a unique design that incorporates the exact metals, flourishes, and garnet stones you desire, while also working together with you in a collaborative process. Naturally, you’ll want to act sooner than later – green garnet stones are still relatively less known than emeralds and other more popular gemstones, thus making them considerably less expensive than their comparatively sized counterparts. Get in touch with us soon!