Like flowers, colored gemstones come in every hue imaginable. Both are born of the earth and evolve into something exquisite. But unlike flowers, whose allure fades with time, the beauty of colored gemstones is everlasting.

This Gemstone Guide has been designed to introduce you to the scintillating beauty of nature's finest work colored gemstone. You may discover fascinating gemstones you may have never seen before, or learn something about gemstones with which you are already familiar. Whichever gemstones capture your fancy, you will be forever captivated by their spectacular dance of color and light.

Amethyst, Citrine and Ametrine
Amethyst and Citrine are gemstone varieties of quartz. Artifacts from ancient cultures the world over attest to Amethyst's and Citrine's place in our collective cultural heritage. The royal purples of Amethyst's and the occasional bright, golden hues of Citrine were treasured possessions of emperors, kings and queens throughout recorded history. While Brazil is the primary source of these three gemstones, both Amethyst and Citrine are found in other locals, Zambia being a significant source. No jewelry collection will be complete without these fine treasures of nature.

Amethyst
Amethyst, the traditional February birthstone, was treasured by roman gods as a talisman to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus. Designers celebrate Amethyst as the ideal choice for jewelry because of its regal color, variety of sizes, wide tonal range from light to dark purple.

Citrine
Citrine, derived from the French word for lemon, in all of its glorious golden and yellow colors, is the most affordable of all of the earth-toned gemstones and is the alternate birthstone for November. The ancients revered it as a gift of the sun and and a powerful antidote to the viper's venom.

Enhancements
Amethyst's, are available in small and large sizes, although as with all gemstones, very large sizes in rich, deep colors have always been rare. Darker hues of Amethyst's are rarely enhanced but sometimes if they are too dark, they are heated to lighten the color. Brownish varieties, when heated, magically turn into the bright yellow or orange colors known as Citrine. This enhancement method is permanent and will last for the life of the gemstones.

Aquamarine
Aquamarine captures the beauty of the sea. Neptune, the King of the Sea, gave them as his gifts to the mermaids, and from then on, Aquamarines have brought love to all who have owned them.

Enhancements
The very name, Aquamarine, brings to mind the limpid, clear blue tint of the sea. Aquamarines are found in a range of blue shades, from the palest pastel to greenish-blue to a deep blue. While the choice of color is largely a matter of taste, the deeper blue gems are more rare. Remember that Aquamarine is a pastel gemstone, and while color can be quite intense in larger gemstones, the smaller Aquamarines are often less vivid.

Many Aquarmarines are greenish when mined and cut. For those who prefer the purer blue, these gemstones are heated to enhance their blue color permanently. Yet, many Aquamarine fanciers prefer the greenish hues, saying the greener tones evoke the sea. The Aquamarine's soft luster is a wonderful addition to any natural colored gemstone jewelry collection.

Emeralds
The birthstone for May and talisman for Gemini, Emerald symbolizes rebirth and youth. Believed by the ancients to empower the owner with foresight into the future, Emerald is regarded as an amulet for good fortune.

The luscious green color of emeralds reflect the deepest green of nature. This rare gemstone has long been regarded as the symbol of fertility, rebirth and springtime. Mined nearly 4,000 years ago, by ancient egyptians, the emerald was coveted by the empress Cleopatra. South America's rich bounty of Emeralds was discovered by 16th Century Spanish explorers who found large Emeralds in the possession of the Aztecs and Incas.

Enhancements
Today, most of the worlds' emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia, and are cut in a variety of different shapes, ranging from the traditional rectangular step-cut, known as the "emerald cut," to rounds, ovals, squares and cabochons. Yet, perfection in Emerald, as in all things, is among the most rare of Nature's treasures.

When they are mined from the earth, almost all Emeralds have unique birthmarks, often called 'jardin' that distinguish them as truly natural gemstones. Early gem merchants in India sought to purify the color of their Emeralds by immersing them in clear oils or paraffin. They found that clear oils and waxes rendered surface fissures nearly invisible to the naked eye. Today, we have many sophisticated technologies with which to enhance Emeralds. In addition to the oils and waxes of ancient method, we now use clear resins to penetrate the open fissures surfacing in the gemstones. "Hardeners" are often added to solidify these liquids. This step prevents the resin from evaporating from the stones, thus making the clarity enhancement more permanent than oiling or waxing the gem.

To understand the journey your Emerald has traveled from the earth to you is to gain special insight into its magic.

Garnet
The birthstone for January, Garnet is also the suggested gift for the second anniversary. Associated with the astrological signs of Aquarius and Leo, this gemstone is believed to be the sign of friendship, loyalty and devotion.

This deep red gemstone was named Garnet by the ancient Greeks because its color reminded them of the "granatum," or pomegranate seed. Noah used the Garnets inner fire as a lamp on his bow as he cast about on the ocean. The Garnet traces its roots as a gemstone to the Nile Delta in 3100 B.C., where Egyptian artisans would craft them into beads or inlay them into hand-wrought jewelry.

Enhancements
The versatile Garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, from the deep red Bohemian Garnet to the vibrant greens of the Russian Demantoid and African Tsavorite. The oranges and browns, pinks and purples of the rhododendron flower, are also reflected in the wide color range of this versatile gemstone.

Iolite
Seafaring Vikings used these gems to filter the haze and glare from their eyes, and their power over the sun aided these fearless warriors in navigating the vast oceans upon which they sailed. Iolite's name is from the Greek "los", meaning violet. While it is not as well known as its blue counterparts, Sapphire and Tanzanite, this pleasing blue gemstone is gaining widespred popularity for its beauty and its attractive affordability.

Origins
Iolite, mined in India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Brazil, are obtained in sizes up to 4 to 5 carats with reasonable ease, although much larger gems have also been found. It is commonly cut into traditional shapes, and its most desirable color is a rich violet-blue.

Opal
Opal has ignited man's imagination for more than 2,000 years with the flashes of fire that magically burn within its depths. Its multicolored flame makes the Opal unique in the world of gemstones, giving it more variety of color and versatility of wear than perhaps any other gemstone. Opal, along with Tourmaline, is the birthstone for October and the suggested gift for the fourteenth anniversary.

Opals symbolized hope, innocence and purity to the Greeks and Romans and were mined in what is now Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Today's supplies of Opal come primarily from Australia, Mexico and the United States. Most Opals are not faceted but cut into rounded or free-form cabochons that enhance their play of light and color.

Origins
Opal is found in several different colors including black Opal, whose blue, gray or black body color enhances the play of fire. White Opal has a lightish or white body with intense color flashes. Boulder Opal has color flashes intertwined with rock matrix. Different in appearance is Fire Opal, a transparent gemstone of brilliant yellow, orange or red, often cut with facets.

Peridot
Peridot has been adored since ancient times, and rivals the green of a new spring day. Its history traces back more than 3,500 years when it was prized by the ancient Egyptians. Hawaiian legend called the Peridot the divine tears wept by Pele, goddess of the volcano. The birthstone for August, Peridot is also the suggested gemstone gift for the sixteenth wedding anniversary.

Like many of the world's popular colored gemstones, Peridot has been credited with a host of magical powers and healing properties, such as protection against nightmares and possessing the power to ward off evil.

Origins
Much of today's peridot comes from Arizona. Some are also mined in China, Myanmar (Burma) and Pakistan. Peridot is readily available in most sizes and a variety of shapes.

Ruby
Associated with fire and passion, Ruby is the birthstone for July and astrological sign of Leo. It is also the anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

Celebrated in the Bible and in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, The ruby has been the prized possession of emperors and kings throughout the ages. Its inner fire has been the inspiration for innumerable legends and myths, and to this day, no red gemstone can compare to its fiery, rich hues. Many people associate its brillant crimson colors with passion and love, making Ruby an ideal choice for an engagement ring. Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral species, while all other colors of corundum are called Sapphire.

Enhancements
Imperfections and impurities may be removed by controlled heating of the gemstones. Some Rubies have fissures that break the surface which are filled with a glass-like byproduct of the heating process. Care should be observed when wearing fissure filled Rubies. This enhancement technique may wear over time if treated harshly or exposed to strong solvents or abrasives.

Ruby is mined throughout Southeast Asia. Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) produce exquisite examples of this gemstone that the ancient Sinhalese people called "Ratnaraj," the King of Gems. This most sought after gemstone is available in a range of red hues, from purplish and bluish red to an orange toned red. Ruby is readily available in sizes up to 2 carats, but larger sizes can be obtained. However, in its finest quality, any size Ruby can be scarce. In readily available small sizes, Ruby makes an excellent accent gemstone because of its intense, pure red color.

Sapphire
A talisman for the sign of Taurus and the birthstone for September, Sapphire is the traditional gift for fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries. For todays woman, however, the beauty and versatility of this elegant gemstone makes it the ideal choice for all types of jewelry. Sapphire has been credited with profound powers such as the ability to protect the wearer against poisons and evil spirits.

Sapphire has been beloved for centuries as the ultimate blue gemstone. The ancient Persian rulers believed it was the sapphire that gave blue color to the heavens. Some thought the heavens crystallized to form a huge Sapphire upon which the earth rested. Even though most people consider Sapphire as the preeminent blue gemstone, the magnificently versatile Sapphire can be found in a rainbow of colors, spectacular yellows and oranges, vivid pinks and lavenders, and soothing greens. These diverse colors are referred to as "fancy" color Sapphires.

Enhancements
One of Nature's most durable gemstones, Sapphire shares this quality with its sister, the Ruby. Red corundum is Ruby; all other members of this mineral species are called Sapphire. Sapphire is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Sapphires are from Myanmar (Burma), Kashmir and Sri Lanka. The purer the blue of the Sapphire, the greater the price the gemstone can command; however, many people find that the darker hues of Sapphire can be just as appealing. It occurs readily in sizes up to 2 carats, and yet, it is not unusual to see gemstones in sizes of 5 to 15 carats. the perfect Sapphire is as rare as the finest work of art. Thus, over the centuries, we have evolved methods to enhance the purest hues of Sapphire. This often achieved by controlled heating of the gemstone to improve its clarity and color. Heating Sapphires is a permanent enhancement, as lasting as the gemstones themselves.

Tanzanite
Tanzanite is an exotic, vivid blue, kissed with purple hues. It is found in the mineral rich soil of Eastern Africa and was discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Tanzanite is renowned for the exquisite combination of purple and blue hues of this loveliest of gems discovered in modern times.

As a relative newcomer to the gemstone kingdom, time has not blessed with the rich legend and lore which surround its gemstone peers, but this stone does have the beauty, rarity and durability to rival any gemstone. Part of the Zoisite mineral species, Tanzanite is named after the country where is it mined and to date, has been found nowhere else on earth.

Enhancements
Tanzanite, one of the most popular blue gemstones available today, occurs in a variety of shapes and sizes and also provides a striking assortment of tonal qualities. Rarely pure blue, Tanzanite almost always display its signature overtones of purple. In smaller sizes, Tanzanite tends toward the lighter tones, and the lavender color is more common, while in larger sizes, Tanzanite typically displays deeper, richer color. Mined in Tanzania at the feet of the majestic Mount Kilamanjaro, virtually every Tanzanite is heated to permanently change its color from orange-brown to the spectacular violet-blue color for which this precious gemstone variety is known.

Topaz
Topaz derives its colors from the sunset and from the sea. They are the enduring symbol of love and affection. Wear Topaz and it will bring you friendship and ensure the fidelity of the one you love. The birthstone for November, Topaz is a talisman for the sign of Sagittarius and is the suggested gift for the 23rd anniversary.

Topaz occurs in an array of colors from red, orange, peach, pink, gold and yellow. Early discoveries from Brazil in rich reddish cognac colors to vivid pinks, were used to grace the jewelry of the 18th and 19th Century Russian Czarinas, hence earning the moniker of "Imperial Topaz."

Enhancements
Topaz is found in Brazil, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Africa and China. Challenged by this rare occurrence, man has discovered an enhancement method to "excite" blue color from a clear to brownish Topaz variety. After the raw Topaz is mined, it is irradiated to brown and then heated to a rich sky blue. This enhancement process is permanent and does not affect the quality of the stone.

Tourmaline
Tourmalines come in every color of the rainbow, from serene and pastel to bold, brilliant colors.

The people of ancient Ceylon called them "turmali," the Sinhalese word for "more colors." For centuries it has adorned the jewels of royalty. Tourmalines are found in an abundant array of colors. They offer a wide variety of choice for the discerning gemstone jewelry enthusiast, and a complete collection of all the colors represents a fascinating quest for the knowledgeable seeker of Nature's bounty. The Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi, the last empress of China, valued the Tourmalines' rich pink colors above all other gemstones.

Enhancements
Dark blue, blue-green and green Tourmalines are often heated to lighten their color. Red Tourmalines (also known as Rubellites) and pink varieties are often heated and/or irradiated to improve their colors. Heat and irradiation color enhancement of Tourmalines are permanent. Occasionally, rubellite and paraiba Tourmalines may have surface breaking fissures that are filled with resins and/or hardened resins. Care must be observed with these gemstones, to avoid exposing them to harsh abrasives and strong chemical solvents.

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