Birthstone Archives - Page 2 of 3

Where is Ruby Found?

Greenland – Deposits found in Greenland are not yet producing for commercial use but they are considered to have great potential.
Mozambique – In the past, most ruby mining has been done by solitary miners in Mozambique. Now the mining company Gem Fields is partnering with the country’s government to regulate the gemstone mining here.
Malawi – Rubies as well as warm colored pink, orange and purple sapphires can be found in the Chimwadzulu Hills of Malawi.
Tanzania – Tanzania is an important mining country for many gemstones including ruby.
Kenya – The South Tsavo National Park in Kenya holds the fully mechanized Rockland Ruby Mine.
Madagascar – Andilamena is an important ruby producing area on the island of Madagascar.
Sri Lanka – Sir Lanka is known for is sapphire and ruby production, mostly from alluvial (secondary water) deposits.
Thailand – The ruby deposits in Thailand were the major source of the gemstone in the 1980s, though they are no longer producing today, the country is still major cutting and trading site for the gem.
Vietnam – The new mining source for rubies, the Luc Yen area is known for its high quality gemstones.
Myanmar – Myanmar has been known for its mesmerizing rubies for centuries. The Mogok Valley region may be one of the most famous ruby deposits to date. They are know for their deeply saturated, beautiful gemstones.
Nepal – Some rubies have been found in marble deposits in Nepal, but no significant pockets yet.
Pakistan – Most ruby mining in Pakistan takes place near the famous Hunza Valley.
Afghanistan – The ruby mines in Jegdalek, Afghanistan are often left inactive for periods of time due to war, lack of security and government regulations.
Tajikistan – Some rubies from Tajikistan carry rare intense red fluorescence that can even be noticed in daylight.

If you are lucky enough to hold the king of gemstones, ruby, as your birthstone, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase this beautiful color saturated gemstone. Ruby is one of the most significant gemstones in history, loved for its intense color throughout the centuries. Any custom piece of jewelry could be tailored to incorporate this remarkable crimson birthstone. The possibility are endless with such a passionate and colorful mineral. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful ruby is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We can always search our cutters’ inventory for your perfect gemstone, or we have a selection of incredible rubies already available just waiting to be transformed!

Where is Emerald Found?

Emerald-Map-1024x720 Unique Engagement Rings — GIA Emerald Map

Emerald, the vibrant green to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl, is the gemstone traditionally considered the birthstone of May. Beryl is a colorful family of gems, ranging from the pastel shades of blue aquamarine and pink morganite to the deeper tones of yellow heliodor. All beryl gemstones possess similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. The gemstone emerald is expected to hold naturally occurring inclusions. Inclusions density will vary, but they are accepted in this gemstone and have even earned the nickname “jardin”, which is french for garden.

Emerald can occur in hues from green to slightly bluish green with its most desirable color being pure green with vivid color and saturation. The gemstone receives its intense color from trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.

Emeralds can grow in a variety of locations but it occurs mostly commonly in pegmatite bearing granite. Listed below are the locations where emeralds naturally occur and are mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones. An emerald’s color reflects the beginning greens of spring, which makes it the perfect choice for the birthstone of May.

Colombia – Columbia is the most famous source of emeralds that there has ever been.

Brazil – Strict environmental laws makes Brazil’s Belmont Emerald Mine one of the most eco-friendly colored stone mining operations worldwide.

Israel – The country of Israel is famous for its emerald cutting operations.

Zambia – Zambia is currently one of the most important producers of emeralds.

Zimbabwe – The Sandawana Valley in Zimbaber produces small but intensely color saturated emeralds.

Madagascar
India – The city of Jaipur in India is a leading cutting and trading center for emeralds as well as several other gemstones.

China – China currently produces lower quality emeralds but it has the potential to be the next important supplier of the gemstone.

Pakistan
Afghanistan – Despite years of conflict, the Panjshir Valley in northern Afghanistan still produces some of the finest quality emeralds ever seen.

Russia – The Ural Mountains of Russia have produced good quality emeralds for years.

If you are lucky enough to hold the legendary emerald as your birthstone, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase this beautiful vibrant green gemstone. Emerald green is the standard which all other green gemstones are compared to. Any custom piece of jewelry could be tailored to incorporate this remarkable birthstone. The possibility are endless with such a versatile mineral. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful emerald is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We have a selection of emeralds available just waiting to be transformed!

Where is Diamond Found?

Diamond-Map-1024x700 Unique Engagement Rings — GIA Diamond Map

Diamond has been recognized as the gemstone coupled to the month of April on many dated and modern birthstone lists. But the allure of diamond was treasured and collected long before it was crowned the birthstone of April. Diamond is found in many fascinating and differing locations from Siberia to remote parts of Africa.

Before the twentieth century there was little scientific knowledge known about diamond, though its beauty and oneness had been prized for centuries. Diamond knowledge has grown since then with research in chemistry, physical gemology, mineralogy and oceanography. Scientists have discovered that diamonds form under conditions that are only possible 100 miles underneath the earth’s surface. Once they are transported closer to the surface, tons of soil and hours of labor are still required to discover a few diamond crystals. The conditions for diamond growth are only found in certain parts of the world and listed below are the most important diamond deposits.

Canada – Locating the diamonds that lay under the frozen soil in Canada took many decades. But after finally finding deposits in the 1980s, diamonds are being mined from several important sites. Canadian diamonds are known for their high quality.
Venezuela
Guyana – Guyana’s diamond production is mostly small scale operations through alluvial sources.
Brazil – Large, fine quality, sometimes fancy colored diamonds are mined in Brazil, though their operations are mostly small scale. Brazil was a leading supplier of diamonds before larger deposits were found in South Africa.
Sierra Leone
Guinea
Ghana
Congo – Diamonds mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo come from both alluvial and underground deposits. Most diamond unearthing is done in small operations with shovels.
Tanzania – The Williamson mine in Tanzania is currently the most sophisticated and largest mining operation in the region.
Angola
Namibia – Diamonds are currently being mined in Namibia through a joint operation with De Beers.
Botswana – Botswana is a leading source of gem-quality diamonds in the world. Not only are diamonds mined in Botswana, but the country has created a diamond headquarters, Debswana, that also sorts and values gemstones mined there. This collaboration with De Beers benefits the people by creating many jobs for the middle class.
South Africa – The diamond rush of 1869 was kick-started with the discovery of sources in South Africa. The country has become the birthplace of modern diamond manufacturing and is the world’s leading producer of the gemstone. The world’s largest rough diamond to date was unearthed in South Africa in 1903. The Cullinan weighed 3,106 carats rough and was cut into 9 larger finished pieces and 96 smaller brilliant cut diamonds.
India – Until 1730 the only known source of diamonds was the Golconda region in south India. These mines are long since depleted and India’s current sources of diamonds are small deposits.
China
Australia – The Argyle mine in Australia has been the world’s largest producer of diamond to date by volume. The mine is also known of its fancy colored pink, red and brown diamonds.
Russia – A significant source of Russian diamonds comes from the Yakutia region of Siberia. Russia is a leading supplier of diamonds though most of their gemstones are smaller in sizes than their African counterparts.

If you are lucky enough to hold diamond as your April birthstone, let Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase this queen of gemstones. The possibility are endless with such a versatile mineral. Diamond can be found in a wide range of colors, carat sizes and cuts. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful diamond or diamonds is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We have the perfect diamond just waiting to be transformed!

Citrine – November’s Golden Gem

Citrine, along with golden topaz, is the official birthstone for the month of November. In recent decades citrine has gained popularity in the jewelry industry and has become a yellow gemstone staple in the marketplace. Its name is derived for the Latin word citrina which means “yellow”. Citrine’s durability, affordability and attractive color make it one of the most sought after varieties of quartz. Its color also makes its an affordable alternative to golden topaz and yellow sapphire. Everything you have ever wanted to know about this golden gem and how Knox Jewelers can help you to create the perfect birthstone jewelry will be revealed below.

1. Citrine is a gemstone variety of the mineral quartz.

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth. Its physical form can range anywhere from sand grains on a beach to large gemstone crystals of amethyst or citrine. Though they look very different, all quartz varieties are composed of the same chemical elements, silicon and oxygen. The size and color of their crystal formation is the largest difference between quartz species. Citrine is the pale yellow to brownish orange, transparent variety of this mineral. Other popular quartz gemstones include amethyst, smokey quartz and rock crystal. Gem varieties of quartz usually form in large crystals with exceptional clarity.

2. Citrine’s most popular colors are a deep yellow and a reddish orange.

Citrine is available in varying hues ranging from pale yellows to deep orange browns. Though the most sought after hues of citrine in the marketplace are vibrant and free of brown tints.

3. Citrine crystals found in nature are extremely rare.

The exact elements and environment needed for citrine quartz crystals to form is rare. Some natural citrine is mined in Bolivia, but the supply is incredibly scarce. Most citrine gems on the market today are produced by heat treating amethyst, which is also a quartz variety. Most of amethyst heated to become golden is found in huge geodes mined in Brazil.

4. Citrine owes its yellow and orange colors to trace amounts of iron in its crystal structure.

All varieties of quartz are mixtures of silicon and oxygen. Iron is the trace element that give citrine its golden color.

5. Fine quality and large citrine gemstones remain affordable.

Citrine is one of the most popular and frequently purchased yellow gemstones because of its availability and fair cost. Even fine graded citrine has an economical price. Sizable citrines remain modestly priced, as price per carat does not rise dramatically for larger sizes.

6. Quartz varieties, like citrine, have been used in jewelry for centuries.

Quartz in any form was commonly used in Europe and the Middle East as gemstones for carving. Citrine exclusively has been found as an ornament going back thousands of years. It was a popular decorative gem in Ancient Greece, and adorned weaponry in 17th century Scotland. More recently, citrine was a go-to gem in the Art Deco era where the gemstones large sizes lead to over-sized and elaborate pieces.

7. Before modern technology, citrine was often mistake for topaz.

It is nearly impossible to visually tell the difference between a faceted citrine gemstone and another of yellow topaz. The largest difference between the two is their hardness. A citrine has a Mohs Hardness rating of 7, well topaz is slightly harder with a rating of 8.

8. Gemstone quality quartz can be found all over the world.

Natural citrine, though rare, can be found in Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico and Uruguay. Most of the amethyst that is suitable for heat treatment to become citrine is mined in Brazil.

Create the Perfect Jewelry with Citrine

If you are looking for a special piece of jewelry that will be cherished for a lifetime, we are here to help. Knox Jewelers specializes in unique custom jewelry designs and engagement rings. Citrine in any shape or size can add color to one of our custom created jewelry designs for a one-of-a-kind look!

Contact Knox Jewelers to find out more about our products or services, including our custom jewelry design service. We look forward to hearing from you.

Pink Tourmaline – October’s Vivid Gemstone

You might know that tourmaline is the birthstone for October (alongside opal), but did you know that pink tourmaline has been used to inspire creative writers and artists throughout history? Or that the most expensive tourmaline was up-for-sale for a whopping $25 million? Here are the most interesting facts about this colorful gemstone that you need to know about!

1. Tourmaline comes from Singhalese

Not many people know that the word ‘tourmaline’ comes from ‘touramalli’ – a Singhalese word that means ‘mixed colored stones.’ Although the phrase was originally used to describe a variety of different colored stones, it’s now used to refer to this precious gemstone. Other names for tourmaline in the past have included ‘uvite’, ‘feruvite’ and ‘rubellite’.

2. Tourmalines come in different colors

Although pink tourmaline is one of the most popular varieties used in jewelry today, tourmaline comes in various colors, as well as combinations of two or three different colors. You might find the color at the center of the crystal, or at each end, depending on the stone. ‘Watermelon tourmaline’ is used to describe crystals that have a green rind and pink center – similar colors to the fruit.

3. Tourmalines can generate an electrical charge

Yes, that’s right – an electrical charge can be generated in some tourmaline stones just by applying some pressure on the crystal. The process – known as piezoelectricity – has been used in science for many years, and tourmaline was even used in the first ever atomic bomb. The crystal can also attract bits of wood and other lightweight substances when it’s heated.

4. Tourmaline has been popular throughout history

Tourmalines have been popular as a gem for centuries and are commonly associated with the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who ruled China in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The last Empress of the Ch’ing Dynasty purchased large quantities of the crystal when a new tourmaline mine was opened in California. Today, the gemstone still evokes connotations of strength and royalty, and can be used to decorate buttons in jackets.

5. Tourmalines are found around the world.

Tourmalines can originate from mines around the world, including Kenya, Madagascar, the USA, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Brail, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Depending on where they are found, this October birthstone will have different patterns or qualities. Ancient legend says that this crystal can be found in all different colors because it’s traveled along a rainbow and gathered all the colors along the way!

6. Tourmalines have inspired writers and artists

Tourmaline has inspired creative minds for centuries and has been mentioned in the work of artists and writers from around the world.

7. Tourmalines need love and care

Tourmalines are easy to clean but will need regular maintenance to keep them looking shiny and new. To clean the gemstone, use a very soft toothbrush or cloth and rub it gently. Mild soap can also be used to clean the crystal, especially when tourmaline scratches easily.

8. The world’s largest tourmaline was pretty huge

The biggest tourmaline in the world was around 192 karats and was valued for over $25 million!

Custom Create the Perfect Birthstone Jewelry

If you are looking for a ring that will be cherished for a lifetime by your loved one, we are here to help. Knox Jewelers specializes in unique custom jewelry designs and engagement rings. Pink tourmaline in any shape or size can add color to one of our custom created jewelry designs for a one-of-a-kind look!

Contact Knox Jewelers to find out more about our products or services, including our custom jewelry design service. We look forward to hearing from you!