Learn about Colored Gemstones

Throughout history, gemstones have been prized by royalty and worn as charms for protection and good fortune. Over time, many gemstones have become popular gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.

Created by nature, genuine gemstones are beautiful to gaze at and delightful to wear. At Jewelry By Net, you can be assured that you are purchasing the highest quality gemstones at the best possible price to treasure for yourself or to give as a gift.

Birthstones
Jewelry By Net offers a fine selection of birthstones to buy for special occasions. Click here to see our chart of birthstones.

January: Garnet
Garnets are found in nature in every color except blue. The most popular color is a beautiful, deep red. It was believed that the wearer of garnets was kept in good health and protected while traveling. Garnets are worn to signify truth and faith.

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February: Amethyst
This member of the quartz family was prized by royalty in ancient times for its regal, purple color. The amethyst is said to bring good luck and to radiate love.

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March: Aquamarine
Found in a range of blue shades from pale to dark, this gem embodies the beauty of the seas. It was thought to bring its wearers knowledge, foresight and inspiration.

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April: Diamond
Diamonds are the most brilliant of gemstones and the hardest substance in the world. They have been cherished for more than 6,000 years. In ancient times, diamonds were thought to be pieces of stars that had fallen to Earth.

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May: Emerald
Known as the queen of gems and treasured since ancient times, this vibrant green stone has long been regarded as a symbol of fertility, rebirth and springtime. Emeralds were believed to protect the wearer from the perils of long journeys.

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June: Pearl
These jewels of the sea are indigenous to the waters surrounding Japan and China. In those warm, calm waters, the oyster produces pearls in a wide range of shades, from creamy white to black.

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July: Ruby
A prized possession of kings and queens throughout the ages, the ruby has been known for centuries as a symbol of love and immortality. In some countries, engagement rings are set with rubies instead of diamonds.

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August: Peridot
Mystics have claimed that this lustrous green stone drives away evil and has special healing properties. Peridots have been found in meteorites and volcanoes.

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September: Sapphire
The name sapphire is derived from the Latin word for blue, "sapphirus." Ancient Persians believed the Earth rested on an enormous blue sapphire, and its reflection caused the blueness of the sky.

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October: Opal
The opal's special characteristic is a rainbow-like play of color that changes with the angle of observation. Colors vary, but it's the iridescent property that creates the very special play of color called "fire."

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November: Citrine
The name citrine comes from the French word for lemon, "citron," which describes this stone's yellow hue. In ancient times, citrine was revered as a gift of the sun and believed to be a powerful antidote to a viper's venom.

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December: Blue Topaz
Topaz comes in many colors, including light blue, pink, yellow, red and green. The most popular color is an enhanced blue. This gorgeous gemstone was said to act as a protector and make the wearer invisible in emergencies.

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Other Gemstones

Agate
Agate is a type of chalcedony quartz. It is found in many hues and often has layers of varying colors. Agate is believed to quench thirst and divert storms.

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Black Onyx
This striking gem of varying colors is a member of the chalcedony group of gems and can appear opaque or translucent. Although it occurs naturally in black, it is generally dyed black to improve its color. In India, onyx necklaces are thought to cool feelings of love.

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Jade
The royal stone of ancient China, this opaque gem was said to represent love and virtue. The most common colors are shades of green, lavender and rose.

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Smoky Quartz
A darker variety of quartz, this gemstone is a deep, rich brown with a smoky appearance.

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Tanzanite
An exquisite purple-blue gemstone that is popular for its brilliance, Tanzanite was first discovered in Tanzania in 1967.

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Precious gemstones – Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald Semi-precious gemstones – Agate, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Citrine, Garnet, Opal, Spinel, Tanzanite, Topaz, Turquoise, Tourmaline, Zircon, Peridot When purchasing a gemstone there are the five characteristics to consider:

COLOR – The color of a gemstone it its most defining feature. When deciding upon a gemstone color it is important to look at its hue, tone, and saturation.

The jewelry industry as a whole recognizes the highest quality gemstones by their green, red, or blue hue, a medium to dark tone, and saturated color. The most valuable gemstones exhibit a pure color and only slight hues of other colors in addition to their primary color.

Tone represents the depth of the color, which can range from colorless to black. The tone of a gemstone is described as “light”, “medium-light”, “medium”, “medium-dark”, and “dark”.

Color purity, or saturation, refers to the degree in which the gem is free of brown or gray hues. The gemstones that are most sought after show little gray or brown and are often referred to as having vivid or strong color saturation.

CLARITY – Gemstones form under unique circumstances and each individual gemstone is comprised of a combination of trace minerals that create identifying marks or inclusions in the gemstone itself. Gemstones that are flawless are very rare and valuable and even the most high-end gemstones are at least slightly flawed. The best value is found in gems that are lightly to moderately included.

SIZE – Gemstones can be cut into a round, square, oval, or pear shape. The carat weight of a gemstone is not necessarily an accurate gauge for a gemstone only because all gemstones have different densities. Two gemstones that have the same carat weight may actually have a different weight.

ENHANCEMENTS – Almost all gemstones available have been enhanced. Gemstones that have not been enhanced are very recognizable because of their incredibly high cost. Some enhancements are an expected part of the polishing and finishing process and are accepted by the jewelry industry as a whole. Almost every ruby or sapphire that you would find has been heated. Heating completes a process that nature started, which is to enhance the gemstone to brilliant colors of blues and reds. Placing emeralds in oil has been going on for centuries and fills tiny fissures in emeralds to make them even more beautiful.

CUT – Color saturation determines a gemstones cut. A greater color saturation requires a shallow cut, while less color saturation requires a deeper cut. With gemstones you will not find an ideal cut that is geometrically configured for brilliance like diamonds. To determine if a gemstone is top quality or not, in terms of its cut, look at the setting and make sure that all the facets are symmetrical. An asymmetrical cut crown indicates a gemstone of low quality. A well-cut gemstone is symmetrical and reflects light evenly across the surface and the polish of the stone is smooth without any nicks. CABOCHON - a highly polished, convex-cut, unfaceted style

Care of Gemstones

Gemstones should be cleaned with warm water, an ammonia based detergent, and a small brush. Always keep gemstone jewelry in a soft pouch and never let two pieces touch because scratching can occur.