Sapphires, one of the four most valuable gemstones stones in the retail market today, are available as a product of nature or can be manufactured scientifically. The natural stone generally has a higher retail value than those that are manufactured. The term sapphire can include any gemstone made of the mineral corundum, with the exception of the red gemstone that is called a ruby.
The black onyx is a beautiful gemstone that while affordable, lends a striking appearance of wealth to any setting. The black gemstone is often set in an alternating pattern with pearls so that the overall appearance is a striking white and black contrast. It is often carved into cameos or set inlaid in jewelry boxes, the dark stone making a beautiful frame for carved artwork and accompanying other gemstones in the art piece.
As legend would have it, out on the deep blue sea, the pirates and sailors often found themselves in a passionate love/fear relationship with the ocean. It was the ocean that would carry them to distant shore but it was the fury of the waves that could tear their ship apart and pull them all down to the depths of the ocean. It was not uncommon for the sailors to find solace in the believed power of the aquamarine gemstone.
Considered one of the rarest of all gemstones, the emerald is a gemstone that ranges in color from light to a deep green, named emerald green. The emerald gemstone is often viewed as a symbol of prosperity; it was once considered a sign of the reproductive forces of nature or a sign of spring.
The name Topaz was once a jeweler’s classification for any yellow and golden-brown gemstone. It was not uncommon for many light green gemstones to be classified under this category as well. The name was originally created when stones were discovered on a small island, Topazos, actually the original source of peridot. However, this island in the Red Sea, now called Zabargad, is still given credit for having been the location where the Romans first found a stone that they called Topaz. There are some that believe the word topaz is an ancient Sanskrit, Tapas, a word that means fire.
The opal has a history as rich in color as the stone itself. The name itself is believed to have come from Sanskrit roots and means precious stone. While the gemstone is known for its variety of colorful basic stone, it is best known for the rainbow flashes that can be seen when refracting to an exterior light source.
Quartz is a mineral that has many different names based upon the color of the gemstone. For the spiritualist, the color of the gemstone is indicative of the specialized power of the crystal quartz.
The garnet is most widely known as the red gemstone that is popular in jewelry. This gemstone, while abundant in the color red, is also available in many different colors such as green, shades of yellow, fiery orange and earth tones. The only color it is not available in is the popular blue shades that many people enjoy.
Blue sapphires are brilliant gemstones that make wonderful jewelry. People in the market for a spectacular gemstone should consider a blue sapphire. Diamonds will probably cost more than a blue sapphire, but they probably will not be as beautiful as a blue sapphire. These gemstones come in a variety of the color blue and some of them are more valuable than others. Many people think of blue sapphires as an exclusive group, but there are sapphires of many different colors. There are sapphires in a whole range of colors from black to white.
Garnet jewelry lasts for a long time so any jewelry made with these wonderful stones should be cherished by the owner for many years. Many people enjoy handing down precious pieces to children and grandchildren, and garnet jewelry is a gift that could fulfill this desire. Garnet jewelry is made from stones that are made from minerals. Most people think of garnet jewelry with a red stone because many garnets come in this color. Like many other valuable stones, garnet jewelry can come with stones of many different colors. Garnet jewelry can be divided into six different categories based on the composition of the gem.