Pantone, who annually releases the year’s hottest hue, has coined Emerald “The Color of the Year 2013″.

The color blue has inspired poets, songwriters and mankind for centuries. This season, it’s also inspiring plenty of fashion statements, as seen in Vogue, Elle and Los Angeles Times to name a few. It’s no surprise then that blue gemstones are some of the most coveted in the colored gemstone spectrum.

Tanzanite, the December alternate to turquoise and zircon, was not discovered until 1967, so it is a relative newcomer to the list of birthstones. It is named for the one country on earth where it is currently found: Tanzania, in eastern Africa.  Although discovered by others, Tiffany & Co. deserves the credit for naming the gem and popularizing it beginning with a big publicity campaign in 1968.

There are two November birthstones that command the attention of consumers and gem connoisseurs alike – topaz and citrine. In this post, we’ll discuss topaz, a gemstone that is widely cherished for its array of colors and distinctive look.

If you want to learn more about your birthstone or enjoy browsing some spectacular gems, be sure to make your way to the “GIA Celebrates Birthstone” exhibit at GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Whether browsing a variety of polished gems, or taking in some of the spectacular jewelry on display, you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity.

Diamonds are known for being one of the hardest substances on earth. A diamond is so hard it ranks as a 10 on the Mohs scale–the highest level of hardness. But what is the Mohs scale?