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Alexandrite – June’s Kaleidoscopic Gem

All gemstones have unique features that make them ideal centerpieces for jewelry. The alexandrite’s ability to absorb light earns it the tag of chameleon of the jewelry jungle. It can be a lovely shade of green in the bright light of day before magically turning to brown or purple in incandescent light. The alexandrite effect is such a fascinating phenomenon. It makes the gemstone a much desired piece because you could have an emerald by day and a ruby by night. Another fascinating feature of the alexandrite is that you see a different color depending on how you look at it. The main pleochroic colors include purple-red, orange and green, which arise from this gem’s unique light absorbing abilities.

Alexandrite’s Colorful History

This gem was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, borrowing its name from heir apparent to the throne at that time, Alexander II. The stone was close to people’s hearts owing to the red and green colors that resemble the imperial flag of Russia. These gems were so beautiful and revered that even today they still remain the standard by which they judge quality. The first Russian alexandrites displayed vivid hues but with the current depletion of Ural mountain deposits, the rare gem can now be found in East Africa, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. The alexandrite found in other parts of the world is still beautiful but some display muddy hues, a fact that raises questions about its purity.

The Gem of June

The rare stone is also a June birthstone together with pearls and moonstone. Due to the rarity of alexandrite it is easier to combine it with other stones and precious metals to create the perfect birthstone jewelry. If you fancy this member of the chrysoberyl family, you can consult with any of the staff at Knox Jewelers to create a custom piece using this magical mineral. Such jewelry is ideal for people who were born in June as it is one of the stones associated to that period on the zodiac. This means that the stone has mystical, empowering and cosmetic abilities if worn by the right people. Legends have it that wearing your birthstone brings good tidings and keeps away evil spirits. We chose to work with the best gem cutters globally to maintain the high standards of the alexandrite. Knox provides master craftsmanship on every heirloom quality engagement ring or fashion piece. Alexandrite jewelry is suitable for many occasions thanks to its ability to change hue depending on light and its mineral hardness. Alexandrite is one of the hardest minerals after diamond and sapphire with a MOHS rating of 8.5. This means your custom jewelry can be worn for years to come.

Custom Creating Your Dream Birthstone Jewelry

The skillful artisans at Knox Jewelers can make you anything from wedding bands, custom engagement rings, or other pieces bearing the beauty of the lovely alexandrite. The pieces are individually crafted and they come with our lifetime warranty as Knox uses the best practices to give you jewelry that will last a lifetime. If you have a party, wedding, engagement or special event that warrants presentation of a ring, choose the unique alexandrite . Knox jewelers will create a piece of art worthy to hold such a rare and spectacular stone. Knox has surely brought the world a new way to enjoy precious stones and you can wear yours everyday. Do not wait any longer to become the owner of one stunning alexandrite ring, come to Knox where all your wishes will be artistically delivered by the most skillful craftsmen who have been at it for years. Get in touch with us today and we can start the custom creation process with you. If you want to stand out from the crowd, it is certainly time to invest in the magnificent and spellbinding alexandrite jewelry.

Caring for Your Emerald

If you’re ready to begin production on your custom engagement ring you’ll have a full team of world famous Knox Jeweler’s craftsmen bringing your piece to life. Our designers work hand-in-hand with our production team in our Minneapolis studio to create every work of art you see on our website. We produce heirloom quality pieces that will someday be passed down to future generations.

A beautiful Emerald center-stone will only last as long as our lifetime ring designs if you wear and take care of them properly. This means not only using caution and common sense when wearing emerald jewelry, but also making sure it is cleaned and stored in a proper manner. These tips are useful for your emerald jewelry and for all fine jewelry.

Caring for emeralds starts with knowing the proper times to don your ring and when to remove it. Do not leave your emerald rings on while doing the dishes, showering or using cleaners of any kind. Emeralds tend to attract grease and soaps. The gemstone’s brilliance could be affected if these substances gather underneath it over a period of time. It is also wise to put jewelry on only after applying makeup, lotion, perfume or hairspray. These products may contain chemicals that could damage the gemstone. Your emerald center-stone could collect scratches, so it is smart to store it separately from other gemstones and jewelry.

To clean your emerald, soak the ring in room temperature water with mild soap like hand soap or Woolite. Use a soft toothbrush to softly brush the underside of the emerald to remove the accumulation of dirt and grease. It should then be rinsed with warm water and patted dry. You should be able to notice a restored brightness in your gemstone.

You should not clean an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners. These may cause damage to the stone. An emerald should never be exposed to high heats. Try to avoid using strong soaps, jewelry cleaner liquids or other cleaners as most of these are not compatible with the oil treatments routinely done on emeralds. Cleanings should only be done a couple times a year.

Emeralds are majestic gemstones with a long history behind them. Any emerald from our online gemstone list would make a beautiful center piece for your heirloom. Our designers and gemstone buyers know exactly what to look for to help you choose a top quality gem. With the proper care your Knox Jewelers’ engagement ring featuring a vibrant green emerald will last for generations to come. Contact us today to get started on your custom design.

Emerald – May’s Echo of Nature

Emerald has captivated countless generations and deeply ingratiated itself in popular culture as well as within the jewelry industry. It is the quintessential birthstone for those lucky individuals who happen to have a May birthday, and its enduring beauty has remained a focal point of the jewelry market for hundreds of years. At Knox Jewelers, we’ve designed many hand-crafted works of art that incorporated an emerald center stone, and we think you’ll agree with us when we say that it’s a great choice for those individuals who are considering using it in a ring or pendant. Let’s take a closer look now at the history and background of this magnificent gemstone, and how we can help you to design a unique engagement ring that truly embodies your loved one’s May birthday.

The Illustrious History of Emerald

Emerald’s name comes to us from antiquity – specifically, classical Greek. Its original name was “smaragdos,” but it traveled through numerous cultures, including the Roman Empire, before being translated into modern English from the Middle English word “Emeraude.” The ancients knew just as well as we do today the cathartic healing effect that gazing at a beautiful emerald can achieve, and its popularity has endured through millenniums. Today, as it always has, emerald symbolizes the beauty and power of nature in the form of lush green landscapes and growth, thus making it an ideal gemstone to symbolize the month of May.

What You Need to Know about Emerald

Emerald is a form of beryl with a trademark green color that ranges from pure green to a blue-green mix. Although expert opinions differ as to what differentiates an emerald from a standard green beryl stone, professionals tend to identify an emerald by its rich color which is not too light as to be considered a mere green beryl. Generally, the darker the stone and the more saturated it is, the more likely it is to be considered a true emerald.

The Earth has been brewing emeralds for billions of years – 2.97 billion, to be precise. Today, it is often mined in the countries of Brazil, Colombia, Zambia, and Madagascar, among many others. Extracting this precious gemstone from the ground and preparing it for use in jewelry is an expensive and time-consuming process that involves the labor of many skilled artisans.

Selecting the best emerald stone possible involves taking into account four important criteria: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Each of these factors plays a vital role in determining whether or not a given emerald stone is up to par. Here’s what you should look for when choosing an emerald stone:

Color: Pure green stones tend to command the highest prices, and saturation is very important as well.

Clarity: Valuable emeralds typically have inclusions known as “jardins,” which are essentially “gardens” of visual inclusions.

Cut: The most common cut is a rectangular step cut, also known as an emerald cut.

Carat weight: Emeralds have lower densities than diamonds, so a one carat emerald will on average appear larger in size than a comparable diamond sample.

Your Very Own Emerald Ring

Designing a unique engagement ring for your loved one has never been more enjoyable or simple than at Knox Jewelers. From the very beginning of this special journey, we will work together with you to craft a ring that will stand the test of time while embodying your love. Our expert artisans have worked with numerous types of metals, stones, and techniques, and we know you will be eternally impressed with the emerald engagement ring that we design together with you. We’re truly looking forward to getting started on this journey with you, so be sure to get in contact with us soon.

Let’s Get Started Today!

At Knox Jewelers, we can’t wait to get started on helping you to design a stunning, unique engagement ring that is bound to stand the test of time for countless generations. Our jewelry design process is holistic and unique, and it is entirely centered around your desires and input. If you wish to create an heirloom that will last years, then get in touch with us today to get started on the journey of a lifetime. We look forward to meeting with you soon!

Morganite – Nature’s Blushing Beauty

Here on our blog at Knox Jewelers, we’re always trying to introduce you to the latest and greatest in jewelry. For an industry with such a rich history as ours, it may come as a surprise that there are new innovations constantly on the horizon. New gemstones come into fashion, go out of fashion, come back again – there’s always something new and exciting happening. One gem in particular has recently gained popularity on the market: it’s called Morganite, and it’s truly a stunning stone. It comes in delicate pastel shades of pink, rose, peach and salmon. Let’s now take a look at the back story of this remarkable gem and see how you can incorporate it into some of our handmade, exquisite designs.

Morganite: Background & Facts

No doubt you’ve heard of a man named J.P. Morgan. You probably associate the name with one of the most renowned and (according to some people) infamous financiers in American history. But did you also know that he is the namesake for Morganite? George Kunz proposed the name to honor his friend for donating funds for the promotion of the arts and sciences in the nation, and to represent J.P. Morgan’s gem-collecting ventures.

Morganite assumes many hues of pink, but the colloquial term “pink emerald” is not accepted by professional regulatory bodies and trade associations in the jewelry industry. Rather, morganite is a type of beryl, and is distinct from its sibling the emerald (another gem which is also derived from beryl). Due to still being relatively unknown to the public, morganite has many large specimens available on the open market. We’re definitely excited about showing off this fantastic, underrated gem to our customers here at Knox Jewelers!

Special Considerations for Morganite Center Stones in Rings

If you’re planning to invest in a morganite center stone, there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind. First of all, morganite is somewhat less durable than your average diamond or sapphire. Because of this fact, you’ll want to be careful when using it in a ring design – we all know how rings can be prone to certain types of accidental damage.

As for cleaning and caring for morganite jewelry, here are the basic principles. Firstly, you’re going to want to be really careful if you’re incorporating it into a ring. We said this already, but it definitely warrants repeating. Secondly, as far as cleaning is concerned, all you need to use – in fact, all you should use – is warm, soapy water and non-abrasive cloth. Do not expose your morganite jewelry to any harsh chemicals, as these chemicals are quite capable of causing major damage to the stone.

Incorporating Morganite Into Your Own Custom Design

Morganite is a stunning addition to any piece of jewelry, and it can truly add a unique flair not found among other gemstones. We recommend a white or rose gold metal base to complement a morganite stone, though platinum as a base also looks amazing. Either way, you can’t go wrong. If you find that you prefer a different kind of metal, we’re here to help you make it a reality for your morganite engagement ring.

Any of our handcrafted designs are suitable as a host for a stunning morganite gemstone. Be sure to check out our entire inventory at Knox Jewelers, including our unique engagement rings, wedding bands, and more. You’re bound to find a design that truly looks amazing in conjunction with a morganite center stone. We’re also happy to recommend one for you, or design one completely from start to finish just for you.

We’re Here to Help: Get in Touch with Us Today!

Do you have any questions about morganite? If so, the friendly staff at Knox Jewelers are here to answer them. We’ll walk you through the whole process of creating a custom jewelry design for you or your loved one, and we’ll make sure you are able to design the perfect piece. Our hand-tailored and client-oriented design process will put you in the driver seat, and we know you’ll be impressed. Get in touch with us today to learn more about designing your very own morganite jewelry. We look forward to meeting you and helping you create your dream ring!

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!