One of our new favorite custom created engagement ring is built around the mesmerizing step cut facets of a 1.00 carat asscher cut diamond held in a low four prong setting. Marquise shapes set with micro pavé diamonds and square carre cut diamonds are placed together in this design to create a rhythmic pattern of ovals and arches. Bezel set side diamonds and milgrain edges add lavish antique detailing to this wide band engagement ring. This mosaic inspired design can be recreated to accommodate any type, shape, or size center stones. Contact Knox Jewelers today to custom tailor this design to your preferred precious metal and central gemstone selection to create your own one-of-a-kind engagement ring!
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!
Aquamarine, the blue-green variety of the mineral beryl, is the gemstone traditionally considered the birthstone of March. Beryl is a colorful family of gems, ranging from the deep green shades of emerald to the pastel hues of pink morganite and yellow heliodor. All beryl gemstones possess similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. The gemstone aquamarine forms in large six-sided crystals that are usually clean from inclusions.
Aquamarine can occur in hues from blue to slightly greenish blue, and the finest gems with have high clarity and transparency. Its exceptional transparency and luster allows aqua gemstones to really sparkle.
Aquamarine can grow in a variety of locations but it occurs mostly commonly in pegmatite bearing granite. Listed below are the locations where aquamarine naturally occurs and is mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones.
Brazil – Brazil is one of the largest producers of aquamarine, with its pegmatite mine in Minas Gerais being the country’s most productive mining area. This area is famous for yielding beautiful aquas and tourmaline.
Nigeria – Nigeria has quickly become a leading source of aquamarine due to Africa’s recent growth in production of the gemstone.
Zambia – Zambia is a source of aquamarines as well as another beryl, emerald.
Mozambique – Aquamarines found in Mozambique are known for their rare deep, rich blue color.
Madagascar – A large number of gemstones are found in Madagascar, with aquamarine being one of the most abundant.
Pakistan – Often cut into the sides of cliff faces, many of Pakistan’s beryl mines are located at high elevations.
Vietnam – In recent history, aquamarine sources have been discovered in Vietnam.
If aquamarine is your gem of choice, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to showcase this beautiful blue-green gemstone. The possibility are endless with a mineral available in so many sizes, shapes and hues. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful aquamarine is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We have a vast selection of aquas just waiting to be transformed!
Amethyst, the violet variety of the mineral quartz, is the gemstone coupled to the month of February. Every species of quartz, and there are several, posses similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. The gemstone amethyst is a purple tinted quartz and owes its color to irradiation and trace elements of iron in its crystal structure.
Amethyst can occur in hues from light pinkish violet to deep purple, but the finest color of amethyst is considered a strong reddish medium toned purple.
Amethyst can be found in large geodes within sedimentary and volcanic rock. A quartz geode forms when large crystal grow in an open space or cavity inside a rock formation. Listed below are the locations where amethyst naturally occurs and is mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones.
United States – The Four Peaks Mine in Arizona produces fine-colored amethyst crystals. Deposits have also been found in Colorado, Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine and reigns close to Lake Superior.
Uruguay – Fine-color amethyst comes from Artigas, Uruguay, near the border of Brazil.
Brazil – Brazil is a leading amethyst producer, with mines in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Para, and Bahia. Large quantities of amethyst formations are found in geodes within the volcanic rock of Brazil.
Zambia – Zambia is one of the largest global producers of amethyst. Crystal found here can display the gem’s finest colors.
If amethyst is your gem of choice, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to showcase this beautiful gemstone. The possibility are endless with a mineral available in so many sizes, shapes and hues of violet. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful amethyst is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and lets get started. We have a vast selection of amethyst just waiting to be transformed!
Garnet, most commonly the rhodolite variety, is the gemstone coupled to the month of January. Every species of garnet, and there are many, posses similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. These mineral variations form a set of closely related gemstones, called a mineral group. The gemstone species of garnet include pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, uvarovite and andradite. Most gem quality varieties of this mineral are a mixture of two or three of these mineral species. For example, rhodolite garnet, is a mixture of pyrope and almandine.
The most popular varieties of garnet include the reddish and purple hues of the gemstone. These shades have a very long history, appearing in pieces found in both ancient Egypt and Rome. The popularity of red garnet may stem from its amble availability. It forms in metamorphic rocks that are found on every continent.
Today there is a wide array of garnet hues available to choose from including reds, pinks, oranges, yellow, greens, browns, and even blues. New species and deposits of garnet have been found all over the world. Listed below are the locations where garnet naturally occurs and is mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones.
Brazil – Brazil is home to a vast array of garnet varieties.
Kenya – Kenya is home to the famous Scorpion mine that is world-renowned for its tsavorite garnets.
Tanzania – Tsavorite, a green variety of garnet, was first discovered in Tanzania.
Iran – A recent discovery of demantoid, a green garnet variety, has made Iran a new supplier of the gem.
Afghanistan – Afghanistan is one of the largest suppliers of spessartine garnet.
Pakistan – Dazzling spessartine garnets can be found in the Kashmir reign of Pakistan.
Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka is a major supplier of rhodolite garnet, the common deep reddish purple variety of the gemstone.
India – Red garnets can be found in Orissa, India.
Myanmar – Rare and beautiful reddish orange spessartine garnets can be found in Myanmar. Several other varieties are also mined here.
Russia – Russia is the original source of demantoid garnets, the rare deep green variety of the gemstone.
If garnet is your gem of choice, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to showcase this beautiful gemstone. The possibility are endless with a mineral available in so many sizes, shapes and a rainbow of colors. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful garnet is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and lets get started. We have a vast inventory of garnets, in many colors, just waiting to be transformed!
