Emerald
Ruby
Sapphire
Tanzanite
A gemstone usually refers to a rock or mineral that is used in jewellery or as a collector's item, usually after it has been polished, cut or faceted. Gemstones are classified through several ways. They may be grouped according to chemical composition -- for example, rubies are made of aluminum oxide and diamonds are made of carbon. If they are crystals, they may be classified using the crystal system, which divide gemstones into cubic, trigonal or monoclinic. They are also classified according to habit, which refers to the shape of the stones. It's also possible to group gemstones according to species, for example, the mineral species beryl would include such gemstones as emerald, aquamarine, bixbite etc. Diamond is most desirable and considered the ‘king’ of all gemstones. However, there are other highly sought after minerals that are just as magnificent as diamonds. Top of the range gemstones, also referred to as ‘precious’ are emerald, ruby, sapphire and more recently tanzanite.
Emeralds are the most popular gemstones in the world and have been esteemed since ancient times. They are a dazzling green all over, alternately shiny and intense to the eye. The highest-quality emeralds are more coveted than diamonds, a little known fact. They were named from the word "esmeralde" which is Old French for "green gemstone." Their rich history dates back to the times of great ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs. Its roots are buried deep in the jungles of South America where the rarest of emeralds can still be found.
Emeralds can be very strong bluish green to green hues, although some emeralds may be very slightly yellowish green.The most desirable emerald colors are bluish-Green to Green, with strong to vivid saturation and medium to dark tone. If the hue is too yellowish or too bluish, the stone is not emerald, but a different variety of beryl.
The ruby is the gemstone that best represents love and vitality, passion and intensity. The ruby has long been regarded as first among gemstones, their bright red glow that conveys strength and warmth. These qualities made the ruby the most valuable gemstone for centuries, a royal favorite of emperors and kings.
Ruby hues range from strongly purplish-red to orangy-red. The finest ruby has a slightly purplish-red to pure vibrant red hue. As the hue becomes more purplish or orangy, the ruby moves down the quality scale into good and commercial ranges. The highest-quality rubies have vivid saturation. Medium tone to medium-dark tones are preferred as long as the tone is not so dark that it has a negative effect on brilliance. At the other extreme, if the tone is too light, the stone is considered a pink sapphire.
In commercial grade Blue Sapphire you can expect to see the hue range from violet (V) to a very strongly greenish blue (vstgB). Gem Quality Blue Sapphire is usually narrow in the range of hues. The hues usually range from violet (V) to a very slightly greenish blue (vslgB).
In commercial grade Blue Sapphire you can expect to see the hue range from violet (V) to a very strongly greenish blue (vstgB). Gem Quality Blue Sapphire is usually narrow in the range of hues. The hues usually range from violet (V) to a very slightly greenish blue (vslgB).
It was first discovered by man in 1967 when an enormous grassfire swept the land below Kilimanjaro clear. As Tanzanite is a brownish color in its rough state, the crystals lying on the surface were never noticed. After the grassfire had burnt the land and heated the stones, they turned a bright, glittering violet-blue. A magical carpet of tiny gem stones glittering in the sunlight attracted the attention of some Maasai tribesmen. They were mesmerized by the deep blue stones and picked them up becoming the first ever humans to ever hold Tanzanite in their hands. Today thousands of fortunate people have the privilege to wear this beautiful gem stone but as more and more people learn about it and desire it, the more the source is mined and today we stand at a crossroads - the supply is running out.
