Think of every passing year as an opportunity to celebrate with your birthstone. In fact, people have been wearing birthstone jewelry since the 15^th century in Poland, when they were encouraged to own all 12. And while birthstone secrets and lore can be found right here on our blog, today we share what makes YOUR birthstone a powerful statement of your finest qualities.

The post Discover the Powers of Your Birthstone appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Dazzling gemstones lit the red carpet at this year’s 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24^th. Striking gowns enhanced by colored gems topped our list of favorite styles. Bold shades of blue, like those worn by Robin Roberts and Lilly Collins, were flawlessly paired with brilliant blue sapphire jewelry. Here are some interesting facts about sapphires and other blue gems provided by our GIA experts that every colored gemstone lover should know.

Actress Lily Collins wearing an array of beautiful diamond and sapphire jewelry.

Fun fact: The name “sapphire” can apply to corundum of any color (and there are many besides blue, including yellow and pink), as long as it’s not red, which would then likely be qualified as ruby, another corundum variety.

Sapphire

When the trace elements of the mineral species corundum are iron and titanium, the corundum is blue sapphire. It can be a pure blue, but ranges from greenish blue to violet blue.  Only a few hundredths of a percent of iron and titanium can affect the color, and the more iron the corundum contains, the darker the blue.

Russell Shor, GIA’s senior industry analyst, says that blue gems are a constantly evolving trend: “While sapphire will always be popular, high-quality blue sapphire is scarce in the market right now, so tanzanite has regained much of its past popularity for consumers tapping into the trend of vibrant blue gems. In addition, favorably-priced stones such as blue topaz have become in vogue.”

Tanzanite

Fun Fact: Tanzanite is mined commercially only in one area of the world: the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, where it gets its name.

Another magnificent blue gemstone option boasting bold shades of blue is Tanzanite. This gemstone is the blue to violet-purple variety of the mineral zoisite. Its appearance is influenced greatly by its pleochroism, which is the ability of a gemstone to show different colors when viewed in different crystal directions. Tanzanite can be violet blue—similar to a sapphire color—or much more purple. Often, both the violet blue and purplish colors are readily visible in a fashioned stone when it is gently rocked and tilted.

Blue Topaz

Fun fact: Since the 1970s, treatments have brought blue topaz to a broad market.

Blue topaz is an additional blue gemstone alternative. In nature, topaz is most commonly colorless, and naturally strong blue gems are extremely rare. In the marketplace, however, strong blue shades are plentiful because they have been treated with a combination of radiation and heat to produce blue hues in topaz.

Opals and Emeralds

While blue jewels complemented the Oscars’ stunning couture, several A -listers donning blue gowns opted for other spectacular colored gemstone choices. Jenna Deway-Tatum and Jennifer Hudson wore blue gowns completed by white and black opals, which exhibited a magical blue iridescence. Black opals are rare and considered the most valuable opal variation. Learn more about opals.

Isla Fisher in David Webb carved emeralds and diamond drop earrings.

Isla Fisher was stunning in Emerald earrings, which created a striking contract with her deep blue gown. For more information about Emeralds, check out our post ‘How to Wear and Identify Emeralds’.

Which one of these Oscar gemstone looks was your favorite? Please join us tomorrow for the next segment of our two-part series on Oscar jewels!

The post Colored Gems at the Oscars: Part 1 appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

Topaz, November’s birthstone, is a mineral species that naturally occurs in a range of color, including various reds, pinks, purples, yellows, oranges, browns, and more rarely, pale blue. Topaz in yellow and reddish brown are commonly heated to create more desirable pink gems.

(left to right); 9.21 carat colorless octagon topaz, 15.01 carat light blue octagon topaz, 18.41 carat rose red octagon topaz, and 12.54 carat orange red baguette topaz.

Due to its extreme rarity in nature, the vast majority of blue topaz on the market also originate from gems that have been irradiated and heated.

Topaz is widely known for its golden color but can also be found in blue and pink.

The name of this gemstone is likely derived from the island of Topazos, in the Red Sea, where Romans found yellowish gems. Ancient Egyptians said the getmstone was colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra, giving it the power to protect the faithful against harm. Perhaps because it is the color of gold, November’s birthstone is believed to bring prosperity when worn.

Edwardian corsage ornament in pink topaz and diamonds set in platinum. Donated to collection by Stephen and Eileen Silver, S.H. Silver Co.

Check out topaz the GIA Celebrates Birthstones exhibit at the GIA Carlsbad campus. Schedule a free tour 24 hours in advance by contacting guestservices@gia.edu; calling 800-421-7250, ext. 4116 or 760-603-4116; or visiting www.gia.edu.

The post GIA Celebrates Birthstones – Topaz, the Golden Gem appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

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.

Characterized by crystals that are typically elongated, with strong parallel grooves, or striations, running along its length, topaz is usually cut into long ovals, pears, or emerald cuts. In its natural state, topaz is most commonly colorless and naturally colored strong blue gems – which remain popular in the US market — are considered a rarity. In fact, most blue topaz on the market has been treated to achieve that color. Other colors for topaz are red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, brown, and green. Among the rarest and most valuable is what’s known as “imperial topaz,” which – true to its name — possesses a bewitching medium reddish orange to orangey red hue. Mostly found in Brazil, a major gem producing country, its scarcity is reflected by its higher value.

Topaz has also captured the public’s imagination throughout the ages. It was said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink; its mystical curative powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon; and ancient Greeks believed that topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible.

With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, topaz is not a tough gem – high heat tends to alter its color, and sudden temperature changes can cause breakage. Avoid steam and ultrasonic machines for cleaning topaz, use warm, soapy water instead. But don’t worry – topaz can more than hold its own against daily wear-and-tear.

Truly a stone for all seasons, topaz can brighten your November collection by serving up a wide range of eye-catching colors and sizes. Check out GIA’s reports for colored stones.

The post All About Birthstones: Topaz for November appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.