Opal Jewelry, Ammolite, and Gemstone Jewelry

New Ammolite Pendants and Dichroic Glass Jewelry

2007-11-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

We have recently added new ammolite pendants as well as dichroic glass jewelry and now your can get some of them for 5% less.

November 1 - December 31st 2007 take 5% off any item priced at $50 or more. Enjoy!

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Many new spectacular ammolite pendants coming soon!

2007-10-01T14:07:00.000-04:00

Our stock of ammolite jewelry has been running quite low due to high demand. We are finally replenishing our supply of ammolite jewelry, primarily spectacular high grade ammolite pendants and some ammolite rings as well. We will definitely have them in time for your holiday shopping so be sure to check our site from now through December for new jewelry.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

How To Buy Jewelry For Dummies

2007-08-27T20:38:00.000-04:00

How To Buy Jewelry For Dummies by Sudha Agarwal

You're a husband with an upcoming anniversary. Your girlfriend's birthday is next week. Its Christmas time and you want to know the best way to express your feelings. What do all these people have in common? They're DUMMIES!

With this simple guide, you can find the perfect gift for that someone without waiting till the last minute.

* Do you know their birth month? If so, you can't go wrong with birthstone jewelry. Not only she will be delighted with this beautiful gift but, you can also surprise her with the knowledge of its value.

January - Garnet (deep red) Garnet is a highly protective stone. It's also useful in enhancing bodily strength and endurance. It is given as a gem on the 2nd & 6th wedding anniversaries.

February - Amethyst (pale lilac to dark purple) Amethyst helps to calm fears, reduces stress, and dispels doubts and negativity. The gemstone symbolizes peace and tranquility. Some sources suggest it is used to stabilize mental disorders. Amethyst is suggested as a gem to give on the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.

March - Aquamarine (all shades of light blue) Aquamarines enhance the utilization of psychic powers and make the mind more alert. Excellent for cleansing and purifying. It is said to make one youthful. Aquamarine is suggested as a gem to give on the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries.

April - Diamond (mostly colorless, but colored variations do exist) Perfection, innocence, courage and everlasting love - there is no better symbol for these qualities than a sparkling diamond.

May - Emerald (dark green) Emeralds give the wearer psychic powers. They are thought to improve both eyesight and fertility. They are also worn to enhance love and contentment. It is suggested as an anniversary gift for the 20th and 35th anniversaries and as an alternate stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.

June - pearl (mostly white, but colored variations exist) Pearls have symbolized modesty, chastity, power, and courage. It is believed to possess life-restoring powers.

July - Ruby (bright red) Rubies are believed to make the wearer wise, to help with love, and help protect against all sorts of misfortunes.

August - Peridot (lime green) Peridots Guard against illusions, enchantments, and nightmares. Peridot also calms nervousness and banishes negative emotions. Peridot may be given as a gem on the 16th wedding anniversary.

September - Sapphire (all colors, but most popular is cornflower blue) Sapphires help to predict the future. The gem is associated with peace and happiness. It has a power of spiritual enlightenment. Sapphire is given as a gem for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries.

October - Opal (all colors, but most treasured is a black opal) Opal is a stone of hope, love & romance. The gem is a symbol of innocence and purity. Aids inner beauty, faithfulness, and eyesight and helps recall past lives. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra.

November - Citrine (yellow to gold to orange brown shades) Citrines are emblems of truth, happiness, wisdom and friendship. These provide protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. It promotes creativity, helps personal clarity and eliminates self-destructive tendencies. It is the accepted gem for the 13th and 17th wedding anniversary.

December - Blue Topaz (pale blue) Blue topaz symbolizes strength, intelligence, fidelity, success and good future. It is the suggested anniversary gemstone for the 4th, 19th or 23rd year of marriage.

* If not, you can always follow the motto "sweet and simple."

Plain Gold Jewelry - No more worries about picking the right gemstones! All you have to know is her preference of gold color. They come in many fashionable designs and can be accessorized with any outfit. They make a perfect gift for any occasion.

Pearls Around the Neck - Behind diamonds, pearls are a woman's best friend. Any jewelry collection is incomplete without a pearl necklace. Pricy, yet elegant, a pearl necklace makes a great gift for those memorable moments in life. But have no fear, if you're concerned about staying within a budget or looking for a simple everyday gift, pearl pendants are an excellent choice.

Drops - The hottest trend in jewelry right now! From drop earrings to a simple drop pendant, it's a perfect combination of class and style. With an array of gemstones to choose from, you're sure to find the color that best suits that special someone.

* If all else fails, you can never go wrong with diamonds.

We'll spare you all the clichés, but a gift of diamond jewelry will forever remind her of your true feelings (or simply get you out of her doghouse). A girl will fancy any piece of diamond jewelry, but here are a few that will complete any jewelry collection: A pair of diamond stud earrings don't have to be given as tokens of romantic affection. It's perfectly appropriate to buy them for your mother on Mother's Day. You know how to bedazzle your woman at anytime? Present her a diamond solitaire pendant that your grandma liked too... they will always be in fashion. You want to convey your feelings in a more meaningful way? The sparkle of a diamond solitaire ring would speak of your love for her.

With different sizes, clarities & cuts, you're sure to find the gift that best fits her as well as your budget. You'll even have enough left to pamper her with a box of chocolates and some flowers.

About the author:
Sudha Agarwal is a product consultant for FineJewelryVault.com. For these gift ideas and more, visit FineJewelryVault.com for the finest collection of Fine Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Gold Jewelry, Pearls & Birthstones at great prices.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Pendant Jewelry: Enhance your appeal

2007-07-21T18:15:00.000-04:00

Pendant Jewelry: Enhance your appeal by gelfey

The glitter of jewelry has always fascinated all, across time and space. Jewelry is pure luxury. It brings emotions; it beautifies and helps to boost the wearer personality and prestige. And the best thing is that jewelry gives never-ending choices to each and every person to indulge in. Jewelry like platinum, gold, diamonds, pearls and pendant Jewelry are a perfect way to give a permanent symbol of your appreciation. Among all jewelry, pendant jewelry is getting popular day by day because of its low pricing and most importantly it bridges the gap between art and adornment.

A pendant is basically a great attraction hanging from around the neck and heading for the wearer's heart. Because of this positioning it is trusted that it accentuates communication skills and holds positive energy which is good for the heart and lungs. Pendants are also for all tastes and budgets. The choice in pendant jewelry is countless whether you're looking for a pendant for yourself as a special treat, or to match a new outfit, or whether you're looking for a gift to be cherished, you can find your perfect pendant very simply. The other neat thing about pendant jewelry is that you can present this to your friends and family, as well as you can wear for your own fashion accessories. Among teenagers, pendants jewelry is more famous because of its some kind of neat, funky and hip-hop look. Pendant jewelry's stylish look and endless choice is making it more prominent.

Among the luxury wearers, diamond pendants, opal pendants, pearl pendants, gemstone pendants, silver pendants, themed pendants and gold, white gold, silver pendants are most famous ornament. The pendants like religious or spiritual pendants, photo pendants and heart shape pendants of fine sterling silver are also very famous among peoples of all ages and these make a great gift for your favorite Christian friend, to your loved one and even someone in need of comfort. And for children there is also huge variety of pendant jewelry that features your favorite animals like Butterfly, horse, dragonfly, and cat etc. The simplicity of a pendant is that it can be worn everyday or for any special event.

Apart from that, when pendants are made in pure gold, silver or platinum, proper attention is given to detail, color and design to make the pendants attractive so that it can magnetize a lot of buyers, worldwide. These are often studded with precious stones for an enhanced appeal. And if you want to enhance your appeal then select your piece from online stores. Because the collection of pendant jewelry on online store is so huge that you will definitely hold that certain piece will make your special occasion even more special.

For more information on pearl earrings, visit: http://www.sparkleice.com

About the author:
gelfey is a famous diamond rings expert.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Why does sterling silver jewelry tarnish?

2007-05-18T09:53:00.000-04:00

Why does sterling silver jewelry tarnish? by burton

Sterling silver jewelry tarnishes but don't worry, it can easily be cleaned back to its natural luster and shine. The tarnish is due to interactins between silver and sulfides in the air. First it takes on a golden hue, then turns black. Humidity, air pollution, and higher sulfide levels in general are the culprits of sterling silver tarnishing. Try walking out your door on a summer day in Florida, and within minutes your sterling silver jewelry will start to blacken! The problem is easily solved, though, with buffing and polishing. You may want to use chemically treated cloths which make the job easier and faster. Nevermind the ever-changing sterling silver jewelry trends, the fact remains that this metal is beautiful, versatile, and easy to take care of!

Some tips for cleaning your Sterling Silver Jewelry

Cleaning Silver Jewelry with professional Tarnish Remover

Be sure the tarnish remover is safe for pearls or soft stones like opal or turquoise if you have that kind of jewelry. Most of these pastes can be applied then removed with a dry cloth. If the piece is antiqued you want to be careful not to remove it.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with Dry Baking Soda

You can clean sterling silver jewelry (even when it is quite tarnished) using Arm and Hammer baking soda. Fill a small freezer baggy half full with baking soda. Drop in the silver jewelry and close the bag. Squish the bag so you are rubbing the dry baking soda into the silver. Remove from the bag and shake out. Remove residue with a soft toothbrush. Careful in using the toothbrush so you don't remove the antique (the dark color that brings out recessed patterns) that is supposed to be there. Tap the silver jewelry on a paper towel to ensure all the baking soda is removed. Another option is to rinse off the baking soda with warm water and gently use the toothbrush. Rinse well. Dry with a paper towel immediately.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with a Jewelry Polishing Cloth

For sterling silver jewelry a polishing cloth is available at most places that sell jewelry. The cloth will turn dark but can still be used for a very long time. The cloth contains chemical cleaners that will give a lasting luster to your jewelry. You can use it when you notice that your jewelry starts to appear dull. I do recommend that even after polishing you wash the sterling silver jewelry in warm soapy water using a soft toothbrush to clean out the dirt and residue from the cracks. Dirt and oils from the skin sitting in the recessed spaces can cause the skin to turn dark. You may think it's the metal and find when you clean it the problem was the dirt and oils. Of course some people do have allergies to metal and their skin may darken as a reaction to metals. To order a Jive Jewelry polishing cloth click here: jive polishing cloth.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with a Matte Shine

Sometimes a piece of silver jewelry has a combination of high polish shiny places with a matte look or slightly dull antiqued look. If you like that look and feel you have polished the piece too shiny you can soften the shine to make it look a little more antique with a fine steel wool (the kind used on wood between varnish coats). If you dull it too much polish with baking soda again or soft cleaning cloth. Just remember that when you use steel wool you are putting mild abrasive marks on the silver which is what gives it the matte look. So only use on the places you want to have a matte finish.

About the author:
Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

How Do I Care for My Jewelry?

2007-04-14T17:13:00.000-04:00

How Do I Care for My Jewelry? by Jessica Sinclair

Speaking of jewelries, any woman will find them simply irresistable. Whether jewelry is made of diamond, gold, silver, platinum, pearls, gemstones, crystals or beads, special care must be taken to ensure your jewelry is always well kept and maintained.

Over the years, I have learned several simple yet effective ways to keep my jewelries looking great all the time. Here are the great tips for you to apply when it comes to protecting, storing, caring and cleansing your jewelries.

How do I protect my jewelry?
Jewelry is wonderful but easily damaged. Try to protect any jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and sunlight.

When doing household tasks such as gardening and cleaning, be certain to remove your jewelry.

Take off jewelry before swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones and gold.

Before doing high impact sports, take off your jewelry as you may scratch it.

How do I store my jewelry?
Avoid storing your jewelry next to a heating vent, window sill or on a car dashboard.

Store jewelry away from sunlight as the sun may fade the jewelry.

Store chains separately and save yourself the headache of untangling them.

If you have bead necklaces such as a beautiful strand of lapis or pearls, store them flat as silk stretches over time. Stretched bead necklaces easily come apart.

Always store your jewelry in cloth pouches, paper, or jewelry boxes that have separate sections. It will prevent pieces from scratching each other.

Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place: a fabric-lined jewelry case or box with compartments and dividers is ideal. If you prefer to use an ordinary box, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.

If you want your jewelry to be ready to wear at a moments notice, you should store your jewelry pieces the zip lock bags, or in a jewelry box or jewelry case with the lid closed.

How do I care for my jewelry?
Before you put a piece of jewelry on, test it for loosened stones and check the clasp. There's nothing worse than losing a beloved piece of jewelry because the clasp fails.

Put your jewelry on after you apply your makeup, perfume, and hairspray. The chemicals contained in these products will ruin the surface appearance.

Keep your jewelry clean and away from lotions, powders, soaps, and natural skin oils as they can build up on jewelry.

After you are done wearing your jewelry for the night, take it off but don't pull by the stone! You might loosen its setting.

Always avoid contact with chemicals, such as pool and sea water, hair spray and perfume, household cleansers, even tap and well water. Water leaves nasty mineral deposits behind.

Don't wear your jewelry to bed or to the gym. Exercising, swimming or doing household chores while wearing your jewelry will cover them with cooking grease, smoke, sweat and perspiration, and will eventually leave a film behind, dulling the color and shine.

How do I clean my jewelry?
Gently wipe jewelry with a soft cloth to remove excess dirt and oil. If allowed to build up on the surface of gems, these will dull the brilliance of faceted stones and can cut the luster of pearls.

Many precious gemstones have their own special needs and requirements that you should be aware of to ensure their longevity. Popular methods of cleaning, such as ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning, are not appropriate for all gems.

Amethyst, Citrine, and other members of the quartz family shouldn't be steam cleaned because intense heat (as well as prolonged light) can permanently alter their color. Opals should always be treated with some care. Avoid impacts, chemicals, heat and extremely dry conditions - all promote cracking. As for your emerald jewelry, avoid heat cleaning and chemicals that can remove the jeweler's oil. Topaz sometimes cracks when subjected to sudden temperature changes as it would in steam cleaning. Porous gems like turquoise and amber are popular in silver jewelry, but they will become discolored by silver cleaners.

Aside from these cautions, you can clean your own jewelry at home without much fuss. For most types of mounted gemstone pieces, occasional, gentle brushing with a baby toothbrush in warm, mildly soapy water and drying with a soft cloth is all you need to keep your jewelry looking its finest every day. But, do use a bowl to clean your jewelry; don't do it over the sink.

About the author:
Jessica Sinclair is a jewelry retailer who is passionate about making gorgeous looking jewelries that are suitable for all occasions. She promotes her jewelries through her online store: www.devoguecollections.com. Her jewelries are sold at great prices. You can also enjoy great savings through online coupons, monthly promotions and much more. Visit her store to find out more.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals

2007-03-22T10:16:00.000-04:00

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals by Rugjeff

What specifically are gems and gemstones? We know some of the most common ones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. But what exactly are they, how are they made and why we do we prize them so highly?

The International Gem Society defines a gem as "a mineral that has been chosen for its beauty and durability, then cut and polished for human adornment."

Most gems are minerals. Others, like pearls or amber, are created from living organisms. Usually gems are of a color that mirrors other natural elements we consider beautiful or valuable. Emeralds mirror the lush green of plant life, sapphires are the color of the sky and rubies are a rich blood-red. There are variations in color in all of these gems, of course, and in diamonds, but those are the colors most normally associated with them. Diamonds can come in colors as well, with pink and canary diamonds being highly prized variants.

Most gems are hard and durable, although pearls can be easily damaged, as can opals and moonstones. Usually a gemstone has to be durable enough to wear as adornment, but others, while too soft to wear, are valued by collectors. Pearls can eventually disintegrate, even if all you do is wipe dust off them. And if you spray hairspray or perfume on them, this can also damage your pearls.

Opals are highly prized for their beauty and fire and make exquisite jewelry, but are extraordinarily susceptible to damage. They can shatter easily if dropped. And there's a story of a woman who wore an opal brooch to a holiday party. When she left the warmth of the party to leave and the brooch experienced the sudden drop in temperature, it shattered, just like a glass that's been heated and then cooled too quickly

About the author:
Everything Jewelry gives you all the information you need when looking for any and all jewelry. Make a wise choice...check us out today!

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are oftem used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Opal - The Gemstone of October

2007-03-16T09:46:00.000-04:00

Opal - The Gemstone of October by Martin Mallett

Opal is said to improve insight and dispels fear and is known as being the birthstone for October. Opal is also given to as a 14th wedding anniversary gift. Opal gets it name from the Greek work "opallus" which means to see a change in color. This is apparent because opal has the ability to reflect wave lengths of light for a lovely sight. There are more than a dozen different colors of opals.

Opals are mined from deposits located primarily in Southern Australia, but there are still areas where you can find small amounts such as Nevada, Mexico, Brazil, and Czechoslovakia.

Opal is actually a non crystallized silica which is a mineral found near the earth's surface in the areas where ancient hot springs once were. Roman's referred to this gemstone as "Cupid Paederos," which means a child as exquisite as love. The Romans also thought that opals fall to earth from the heavens in a flash of lightening.

On crowns opals symbolize hope and purity for ages. From the 14th century there have been some cultures that have thought that this gemstone was an Eye Stone which watches over royal families. They thought that the opal was the king of all gems because it has the range of all the colors in the rainbow.

You can acquire a black opal which has a dark body hue compared to most other opals, a white opal also referred to as a milky opal, a boulder opal which is very dark and magnificent in color, the crystal opal which has a transparent or semi transparent body tone and contain forms of black and white crystal, and lastly the fire opal which is an American name meaning an opal that has a particular red hue.

It doesn't matter which color of opal you buy just make sure you know what the hue symbolizes.

About the author:
Published by www.MiltonGems.co.uk. Find a vast selection of October birthstone / opal jewellery. You can also get birthstone info here.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are often used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Caring For Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

2007-02-23T10:16:00.000-05:00

Caring For Cubic Zirconia Jewelry by Melanie Spark

Because cubic zirconia jewelry is designed to imitate the perfect diamond, its most important characteristic is the sparkle. If you want to keep your cubic zirconia rings, pendants, earrings and other jewelry flawless, learning how to properly care for them will go a long way in helping your jewelry to shine as brightly as the smile of those who see it.

In order to protect the brilliance of your cubic zirconia rings, remove them prior to washing your hands, applying makeup or hand lotion, washing dishes or other similar activities that may result in a cloudy film coming into contact with the cubic zirconia. In fact, jewelry should be the last accessory that you put on before walking out the door.

If you own sterling silver cubic zirconia wedding rings, perhaps you never take them off except for regular cleaning. If that's the case, a polishing cloth or mild jewelry cleaner should be used to maintain both the silver's brightness and that of the cubic zirconia. If you need a homemade solution, try warm water and dishwashing liquid in a cup. You can dip your cubic zirconia jewelry into the water and gently polish it using a towel or other soft material.

When cleaning your jewelry, especially cubic zirconia rings, take extra care to use a soft object for polishing to prevent scratching. If you are a wearer of cubic zirconia wedding rings, it's especially important to remove your rings for frequent cleaning as constant wear can result in everyday particles and grime finding their way into every crevice of the ring's design and will create a buildup that's difficult to remove.

If you feel that your cubic zirconia jewelry, including cubic zirconia wedding rings and other designs, is in need of a professional cleaning, consult with a local jeweler.

About the author:
For more information on cubic zirconia jewelry, cubic zirconia rings, and cz jewelry visit Almost Diamonds at http://www.almostdiamonds.com

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, including signity star hearts & arrows cut cubic zirconia, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals

2007-02-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals by Rugjeff

What specifically are gems and gemstones? We know some of the most common ones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. But what exactly are they, how are they made and why we do we prize them so highly?

The International Gem Society defines a gem as "a mineral that has been chosen for its beauty and durability, then cut and polished for human adornment."

Most gems are minerals. Others, like pearls or amber, are created from living organisms. Usually gems are of a color that mirrors other natural elements we consider beautiful or valuable. Emeralds mirror the lush green of plant life, sapphires are the color of the sky and rubies are a rich blood-red. There are variations in color in all of these gems, of course, and in diamonds, but those are the colors most normally associated with them. Diamonds can come in colors as well, with pink and canary diamonds being highly prized variants.

Most gems are hard and durable, although pearls can be easily damaged, as can opals and moonstones. Usually a gemstone has to be durable enough to wear as adornment, but others, while too soft to wear, are valued by collectors. Pearls can eventually disintegrate, even if all you do is wipe dust off them. And if you spray hairspray or perfume on them, this can also damage your pearls.

Opals are highly prized for their beauty and fire and make exquisite jewelry, but are extraordinarily susceptible to damage. They can shatter easily if dropped. And there's a story of a woman who wore an opal brooch to a holiday party. When she left the warmth of the party to leave and the brooch experienced the sudden drop in temperature, it shattered, just like a glass that's been heated and then cooled too quickly.

About the Author:
Everything Jewelry gives you all the information you need when looking for any and all jewelry. Make a wise choice...check us out today!

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Fire and Briliance of Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite

2007-02-02T14:22:00.000-05:00

Fire and Briliance of Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite by Peter Boston

Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite are crystalline structures. Diamond is comprised entirely of carbon, CZ is zirconium oxide, and Moissanite is silicon carbide (silicon + carbon). Their crystalline structures are formed under intense heat, in the ground or in the laboratory.

Diamonds and Moissanite occur naturally although Moissanite only in extremely small quantities, and then only in certain meteor craters. All three are very close optically and only a trained gemologist, often with the need of special equipment, could differentiate a diamond from a CZ or Moissanite gemstone.

Diamonds are the hardest substance with a Mohs rating of 10, the highest available number. Moissanite is very close to diamond hardness at 9.25. CZ is also a very hard substance with a Mohs rating of 8.5 - 9.0. All of them will cut glass. Hardness is important for cutting gemstone facets as it determines the intricacy and sharpness of the cuts that can be made. A gemstone's facets also determine how it it will display its fire and brilliance.

A gemstone's fire is its ability to disperse white light into many colors, like a prism. This characteristic is easily noticeable on earrings and necklaces. Moissanite is the fire champ by far and will shoot blue and green flashes in even moderate light. Diamond, the gemstone most historically commented for its fire, has less fire than CZ. It is somewhat ironic that after centuries of valuing diamonds for their fire that Moissanite and CZ get devalued for exhibiting even greater fire.

Brilliance is a gemstone's ability to capture light. When light hits the stone at a certain angle it actually gets trapped temporarily inside the stone. A diamond or other gemstone displays brilliance as the trapped light reflects upon itself and makes the gemstone sparkle in brilliant light pulses. Again the champ, Moissanite has the most brilliance. On the refractive scale CZ is 2.2, diamond 2.4 and Moissanite 2.7. Crown glass, for example, has a refractive index of 1.5.

Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia, and Moissanite look very much alike. They differ in the physical characteristics that matter most for jewelry only by degrees of hardness, fire, and brilliance. A well cut Cubic Zirconia gemstone in an attractive setting would almost certainly be more appealing to the eye than a mediocre diamond piece.

Price and lore are the most conspicuous differences.

About the author
(C) Peter Boston. Moissanite jewelry is desireable for its fire and brilliance. Cubic Zirconia for its fire and its price. Attractive bridal jewelry does not have to be expensive.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, including signity star hearts & arrows cut cubic zirconia, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Gemstone Engagement Rings

2007-01-23T13:48:00.000-05:00

Gemstone Engagement Rings by Julie Shields

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger. Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand.

Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they've been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Buy your ruby engagement rings with pride! Don't let anyone tell you that diamonds are better as engagement rings. Only you and your potential spouse should decide what fits in with your style, taste, and budget........not popular opinion.... or your future mother-in-law. Besides, you can always tell the nay-sayers that large rubies are even more rare than diamonds. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire. Rubies are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds are considered a "10" on the hardness scale while rubies come in at a 9. Rubies have somewhat less clarity than other gemstones and tend to have at least some small inclusions. Most rubies are heat-treated to improve their color, but stones in their natural form do exist. Cushion cut and oval rubies are the most common shape. Burmese rubies are considered to be the most desirable.

You may be able to save money by purchasing a ruby with a slightly off-shade i.e. a little bit lighter or darker than what is considered ideal... a vivid red color. You can also save some dough by purchasing synthetic versus natural rubies. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire.

Rest assured that buying opal engagement rings for your partner will not bring them bad luck but perhaps even the opposite. Concerning the opal gemstone superstition, some still feel that it is bad luck to purchase an opal for oneself, but good luck if someone else gives one to you. Throughout history there have been negative connotations associated with opals. Interestingly enough, it is said that the diamond dealers became nervous in the 18th and 19th century about the beatiful gemstone stealing away diamond customers and further perpepuated stereotypes of the opal to prevent this from happening. The powers that be tried hard to defeat this bad luck urban legend when huge amounts of opals were found in Australia.

I personally love opal engagement rings. With their rainbow hues, I just think opals are some of the prettiest stones around. The rainbow shades are oftened referred to as a "play of color." Most of the opal supply come from our Aussie friends in Southern Australia.

Here's the science behind the opals. Opals are a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica which are formed from amorphous "balls" or "lumps" of silica. In other words, water in the ground carrying dissolved silica seeps through sand and dirt, where the silica particles are deposited in cracks. As the water evaporates, the silica particles cement together to form the opal. The color is caused by the diffraction of light. Where the tiny spheres of silica are of a similar size and arrangement, the light reflecting from them is divided into its spectral colors, and the stone appears to contain all the colors of the rainbow. Where the spheres are larger and less uniform, the range of color is more limited.

One of the major downfalls of opal engagement rings compared to diamonds is that opals are a much softer stone. While the diamond is considered to be a 10 on the Mohs hardness sclae, the opal rates between a 5 and a 6. This means that over time, it is possible for the opal to break and you must be careful to treat it with care and look for a ring setting that best preserves its integrity (i.e. semi-bezel is a good choice).

Opals exhibit an impressive color range. They can be white, pink, green and blue, gray, or black. Australian boulder opals are the most durable of opals as well as the most robust in color. As a result, they are considered to be valuable and are pretty pricey Black opals are actually the most rare and expensive. They have a dark backdrop with a rainbow colors or deep blue-green hues. Fire opals, which have any color backdrop but exhibit an unusual amount of red color play are also fairly rare

There are a thousand legends and stories related to the opal gemstone.

The Ancient Greeks believed opals fell from heaven during flashes of lightning and provided individuals with the ability to see into the future.

The Romans thought that wearing opals made one more lucid in thought and spontaneous in action.

Can you believe this? In his play "Tweltfh Night," Shakespeare made use of the gemstone to make an analogy between the opal's changing colors and the ever-changing moods of a woman. Hmmmmmmmm.......not sure if I like the comparison.

About the author:
The author recently got married and is sporting a beautiful ascher cut diamond ring. She and her husband developed the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com in order to help you find the perfect engagement ring.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are oftem used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals

2006-12-23T16:13:00.000-05:00

Gem Stones And Mineral Crystals by Rugjeff

What specifically are gems and gemstones? We know some of the most common ones - emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. But what exactly are they, how are they made and why we do we prize them so highly?

The International Gem Society defines a gem as "a mineral that has been chosen for its beauty and durability, then cut and polished for human adornment."

Most gems are minerals. Others, like pearls or amber, are created from living organisms. Usually gems are of a color that mirrors other natural elements we consider beautiful or valuable. Emeralds mirror the lush green of plant life, sapphires are the color of the sky and rubies are a rich blood-red. There are variations in color in all of these gems, of course, and in diamonds, but those are the colors most normally associated with them. Diamonds can come in colors as well, with pink and canary diamonds being highly prized variants.

Most gems are hard and durable, although pearls can be easily damaged, as can opals and moonstones. Usually a gemstone has to be durable enough to wear as adornment, but others, while too soft to wear, are valued by collectors. Pearls can eventually disintegrate, even if all you do is wipe dust off them. And if you spray hairspray or perfume on them, this can also damage your pearls.

Opals are highly prized for their beauty and fire and make exquisite jewelry, but are extraordinarily susceptible to damage. They can shatter easily if dropped. And there's a story of a woman who wore an opal brooch to a holiday party. When she left the warmth of the party to leave and the brooch experienced the sudden drop in temperature, it shattered, just like a glass that's been heated and then cooled too quickly.

About the author:
Everything Jewelry gives you all the information you need when looking for any and all jewelry. Make a wise choice...check us out today!

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures - has recently added a number of new black opal triplet jewelry items. Because each one is unique they don't tend to stay around very long and we had been neglectful of adding enough new items. That has been remedied for now. We have added opal rings set with black opal triplets (including some with the highest grade triplets), opal earrings set with opal triplets, as well as sterling silver and 14kt gold opal pendants with standard and highest grade Australian opal triplets. We have also added a few more unisex and/or men's opal rings. We also have quite a bit of jewelry set with lab created opal. Because these opals are man made without the water there is no drying out and subsequent crazing. They are more durable and less expensive than naturally mined opal with similar fire and color play.

Colorful Cubic Zirconia Jewelry Offers A Trendy Hue Of Sparkle & Affordability by Melanie Spark

2006-12-13T11:37:00.000-05:00

Colorful Cubic Zirconia Jewelry Offers A Trendy Hue Of Sparkle & Affordability

Green is the color of money, which is coincidentally what you will be saving a lot of by shopping for cubic zirconia jewelry. The forecasted trend for Spring 2007 includes green in a big way, which makes green cubic zirconia jewelry a must-have for those with an eye for the latest in fashion. The color of green in a gemstone is commonly associated with emerald, which is the birthstone for May, and Peridot, which represents the August birthstone. Whether this revisited color is symbolic of a birthdate or a statement in style, get ready to go green.

If you are a lover of blue, you aren't alone. It is widely believed that this is the favorite color of most Americans and, as such, is an always popular and yet classic gemstone. When done in cubic zirconia jewelry, you can combine a bold look, flawless coloration and an affordable price tag. Just what makes blue so popular? Aside from the fact that it looks fantastic with denim, blue cubic zirconia jewelry is a very affordable alternative to genuine blue topaz jewelry.

When it comes to getting the top trends for less loot, consider the popularity of pink cubic zirconia jewelry. We have all seen the large pink diamond ring that a certain actor gave to a certain actress/musician as an engagement ring not so long ago, but what most of us will never see is that exact style in genuine diamonds sitting on our finger. Unless you are fabulously wealthy, a large pink diamond may not be within your budget. Most will agree, however, that pink cubic zirconia jewelry is well within reason. And, why not? You can have the same look for a lot less money and still enjoy the latest in trendy jewelry. Pink cubic zirconia jewelry is a popular alternative to a pink diamond, and it also remains as one of the most highly sought after colorations in cubic zirconia designs.

If you like pink, then you probably love red. Have you ever heard of a red diamond? If not, don't fret. Not everyone has heard of this extremely rare diamond coloration, but it does exist and, if you have a fortune to spend, a genuine red diamond can be yours. But for everyone else, red cubic zirconia jewelry is a terrific substitute. Not only can red cubic zirconia simulate a red diamond, but it can also serve as a popular alternative to the July birthstone, which is ruby. Today, rubies remain one of the most precious gemstones in the world, along with sapphire, emeralds and diamonds. As such, a genuine ruby is very expensive and finding it in jewelry is not always an easy task. Rather than an exhaustive search and a hefty price tag, red cubic zirconia is ideal for the July baby, the red diamond lover and as a terrific Valentine's Day gift.

If you want to spice up your jewelry wardrobe, consider adding a splash of color to your accessories. Not only can this brighten up your day, but it can also say a lot about your sense of fashion. The truth is that for as long as there are genuine gemstones, there will be colorful cubic zirconia jewelry and neither will ever go out of style. If you want the boldest look with the smallest price tag, cubic zirconia jewelry is the way to go. When combined with sterling silver, you not only get a terrific look and a price tag to match, you will get a precious metal designed to last a lifetime.

About the author:
For more information on cz jewelry and cz rings, visit Almost Diamonds at http://www.almostdiamonds.com

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Created Blue Star Sapphire Jewelry now available

2006-12-05T12:50:00.000-05:00

We have added a number of jewelry pieces set with created blue star sapphires. Blue sapphire is the birthstone for September. We have pendants and rings set with gorgeous created blue star sapphires. We have not added earrings yet but can certainly make you a paid upon request!

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are oftem used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Opal Triplets Are they Any Good?

2006-11-30T13:37:00.000-05:00

When I first started cutting opals about fifteen years ago I was told that you only ever use pieces of opal that are worthless for anything else. You could not sell triplets to opal buyers on the opal fields and certainly not to shops.

On top of that they were labor intensive to make and they didn’t last long as they were glued together and back then the glues were not very good.

In case you are unaware there are three types of opal products. Firstly, there are solid opals which are solid pieces of opal which we cut down to shape and the polish. Next, there are doublets. When we find a thin piece of opal which is too thin to make into a piece of opal jewelry then we glue a backing to it and that will make it strong enough to use. Finally, when we find a piece of opal that is too thin and fragile to make into a doublet then we glue a dome of clear material on the top as well as a backing underneath and as it is made from three pieces of material we call it a triplet.

Well, things have changed. With the advance in technology it is possible to cut very good opal into thousands of super thin pieces of opal sheets in order to use them for making triplets. This way there are more dollars to be had for the opal. When I first heard of this I was horrified as it seemed a waste of good opal. Opal is cut so thin that when you place it in the palm of your hand it collapses into the shape of your hand. This is what triplets are made from.

Then there are the glues that are available today that were not available twenty years ago. While looking for a glue to use for making doublets I asked a friend who manufacturers aircraft what he would suggest for strength. He mixed some glue and placed some on a piece of steel and then stuck that to the concrete. He told me that if you ever wanted to get that steel of the concrete you would have to smash the concrete up. That was some glue.

Today some triplets are made by a fusion process where no glue is used and you can shower wearing the triplet and it will never come apart or deteriorate.

So all in all, today’s opal triplets are made from fantastic gem quality opal with processes which make them very durable and they are still the cheapest way to by opal. Yes they are good and allow people to wear bright colored opals for a reasonable price.

Gary Hocking makes custom jewellery specializing in Australian opals. He has his own website www.opaljewelryexpress.com

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures - has recently added a number of new black opal triplet jewelry items. Because each one is unique they don't tend to stay around very long and we had been neglectful of adding enough new items. That has been remedied for now. We have added opal rings set with black opal triplets (including some with the highest grade triplets), opal earrings set with opal triplets, as well as sterling silver and 14kt gold opal pendants with standard and highest grade Australian opal triplets. We have also added a few more unisex and/or men's opal rings.

We have added more simulated birthstone rings

2006-11-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures has added a number of new simulated birthstone rings featuring colored cubic zirconia (or czs) set in solid .925 sterling silver. Our latest additions can be found here.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Underlying Themes for Gems

2006-11-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

Throughout antiquity, man has assigned themes to events and things. Gem fall within this category and here is a brief explanation of what each is associated with.

Underlying Themes for Gems

There are many different areas of gift giving that offer ways to convey special meanings. For centuries, a gift of certain types of flowers has been able to show the receiver just what you think of him or her. Gemstones also have this type of ability, because the different types of gems, along with their colors and cuts, often convey a thought to the receiver. The subjects conveyed are greatly varied, depending on the area of the world you're in, and your beliefs.

Of course, one of the most common sources of associations can be found with birthstones. The twelve months each have at least one corresponding gemstone, and these were set forth in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. These gemstones are as follows:

January - Garnet

February - Amethyst

March - Aquamarine or Bloodstone

April - Diamond

May - Emerald

June - Pearl or Moonstone

July - Ruby

August - Peridot

September - Sapphire

October - Opal or Tourmaline

November - Yellow Topaz or Citrine

December - Blue Topaz or Turquoise

There are many other gem associations besides these obvious ones. Many have to do with their healing and mystical properties. Gems that are used for birthstones also have these other properties, and here's a rundown of some of them. Amethyst - February - used to reflect negativity, it can also strengthen your intuition. Bloodstone - March - used to remove physical and mental blocks, as well as general protection. Moonstone - June - used to attract compassion and love, as well as enhancing psychic powers.

Other gems that are not used as birthstones are also believed to have certain powers and abilities that are bestowed upon their wearers. Carnelian, for example, can be used to stimulate career growth. Rose quartz, a lovely pink version of the quartz crystal, offers those who wear or carry it a feeling of peace and love, and also promotes beauty. Amber, the soft translucent smoky brown gem made from fossilized tree sap, is a great all purpose gem that's perfect for protection of children. Finally, the stone known as tiger eye is great for allowing its owner to know whether he or she is being deceived.

While some may not believe that gems have these powers, others swear by the many different stones and their abilities to enhance mental and physical prowess. Whether you prefer the usual gem association of birthstones, or would like to try wearing a stone for other reasons, one thing is sure - gems are beautiful additions to your life!

About the author:
Arsene Bergkamp is with JewelryStoresforYou.com - a directory of jewelry stores.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Common Jewelry Questions

2006-10-28T10:41:00.000-04:00

Common Jewelry Questions

What is my birthstone? There are several different lists of birthstones. Following is a list of some of the most commonly accepted birthstones.

January Garnet

February Amethyst

March Aquamarine/Bloodstone

April Diamond

May Emerald

June Alexandrite/Moonstone/Pearl

July Ruby

August Peridot/Sardonyx

September Sapphires

October Pink Tourmaline/Opal

November Topaz/Citrine

December Blue Zircon/Turquoise

What is the difference between 10, 14 &18 karat gold? 24 kt = 99% 22 kt = 91.66% 20 kt = 83.33% 18 kt = 75% 14 kt = 58.33% 10 kt = 41.66%

What does .925 mean? This is another method of marking sterling silver and refers to the percentage of silver 92.5%).

How is gold colored? Varying the alloys creates the various colors of gold. Red has more copper, green has more silver, and white has nickel or palladium added.

What are the 4 Cs? The four Cs are Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight.

What is the difference between created and simulated stones? Both are manmade stones. Created stones are chemically the same as the natural stone. Simulated stones are stones that are made of a material other than what it is attempting to copy. Cubic zirconium, lab-grown corundum, lab grown spinel and glass are common materials used to simulate gemstones.

What is stress fracturing? Stress fracturing is a problem associated with white and lower karat gold. Gold of 10 kt or less are susceptible. White gold often has this problem. Stress fracturing is caused by chemicals that dissolve the alloy out of the gold which, of course, weakens it. This can cause an item to suddenly just break for no apparent reason. This is most often seen as a prong tip on a white gold setting that is suddenly missing. Chlorine is one chemical that can cause this problem. Never soak your jewelry in strong cleaners.

Why does my fine jewelry turn my finger black? This is most often not a problem with the quality of the metal. Whenever a metal is ground into a fine enough powder, that powder is black. If the hand cream or makeup that you are using contains any abrasive materials, this will rub on the piece of jewelry and create a black smudge. Many of the materials used to color makeup are mild abrasives.

About the author:
Gary Haag has been designing and creating fine handcrafted jewelry for over 20 years. For more information about selecting and caring for your fine jewelry visit, The Gary's Gold & Silver (http://garysgold.com)

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry (opals are the birthstone for October) & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise (one of the birthstones for December), rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz (cubic zirconia are oftem used as a substitue for April's birthstone which is the diamond), and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

Fall Birthstones: Personal And Beautiful Gifts

2006-10-19T10:19:00.000-04:00

Most scholars believe that the tradition of wearing birthstones descended from the Breastplate of Aaron. In Jewish history, this was a garment worn by priests that was decorated with 12 stones. On the breastplate, they represented the 12 tribes of Israel, and over time came to correspond with the 12 months of the year, or the 12 signs of the Zodiac. While the stones that appeared on the breastplate are not the same stones we associate as birthstones today, the tradition of wearing stones and the belief that they convey power, strength, or protection has continued. Here is some information about the birthstones associated with the fall months of September, October, and November.

The birthstones for September are opal and lapis. Most people associate sapphires with the color blue, and this is the most common and popular color for sapphires, but they can also be found in colors like yellow and and white. Sapphires are the same mineral as rubies, corundum, so when sapphires are red or pink, they are called rubies instead. Sapphires are very hard, almost as hard as diamonds, and do not scratch easily. They are sometimes called the gem of the heavens because they are blue like the sky. Their blue color is also linked with loyalty and faithfulness, and many couples choose sapphires as the stone for engagement rings, with or without diamonds. Lapis is more common and not as expensive, but is the same brilliant color blue. It does not shine like a sapphire, but is dull instead.

October's birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Opals are unusual among gems in that you will find many different colors in a single stone. Most of the world's opals come from Australia, and they are sometimes called rainbow stones to reflect their multicolored nature. Opal is the same chemical composition as quartz, but contains water that refracts light, causing the different colors. Unlike sapphires, opal is very fragile and brittle. As such, a lot of opal jewelry is covered with clear protectants like resin or enamel. Opal becomes more brittle as it loses its water, so it should not be kept in very dry areas for lengthy periods of time. In fact, opal jewelry should be worn frequently, as it can absorb humidity from the skin. Like opal, tourmaline is a multicolored stone, but is a different chemical composition.

Yellow topaz, the birthstone for November, ranges from a warm brownish yellow, to shades with more red and orange. Both the ancient Romans and Egyptians associated topaz with their sun gods, and many believe it has protective powers. Citrine resembles topaz, but is a variety of quartz and is much more affordable.

About the author:

Dana Bradley writes about Ice coupons, Harris Michael Jewelry and Jewelry

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants and birthstone jewelry as well.

CZ Heaven

2006-10-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

We have all heard that diamonds are a girl's best friend. A girl, that is, with means. Diamonds are beautiful, yes. But they are also extremely expensive. The price has risen steadily over the years as a diamond cartel led by DeBeers company has monopolized the diamond market. A good quality diamond today retails for roughly $6500 per carat. In the face of the escalating cost cubic zirconia, a synthesized diamond simulant, has emerged as a reasonably priced alternative. CZ can compete with and in fact surpasses diamonds on different levels.
There is no comparison between CZ and diamonds when it comes to pricing. CZ's are a fraction of the price of diamonds retailing for about .60 cents per carat. This huge disparity in price allows for more flexibility in the ownership characteristics of CZ buyers. As a result, one can purchase a variety of styles and still not be overwhelmed financially. Buying a diamond of any consequence, on the other hand, may require a visit to your banks loan department. There is also the issue of caring for a diamond and the anxiety that comes along with this obligation. CZ owners truly lack the worrying and careful consideration of use associated with possessing expensive diamonds. CZ owners tend to be more concerned with fashion discretion.
Certainly diamonds are valuable in their own right. Diamonds are the hardest natural occurring material known to man and are used extensively in industry. Through effective marketing and controlled distribution, diamonds have reached the pinnacle of the jewelry market. Yet, if you had to distinguish between a diamond and cubic zirconia stone you would most likely not know the difference. You may even choose the CZ stone due to the fact that CZ has a higher dispersion rate than diamonds consequently sparkling more brilliantly. CZ also registers high on the Mohls scale which measure hardness in stones. Only diamonds and sapphires are higher on the scale.
The benefits of cubic zirconia in terms of price and quality have led to an increase in its popularity. Enlightened consumers watching their bottom line find cubic zirconia to be an exciting alternative. Will diamonds always be considered the most valuable precious stone? The Debeers company has recently lost some of its iron grip on the diamond market, which may lead to the decline in price of diamonds. This may either increase the popularity of diamonds as they become more affordable or decrease the demand as the perception of diamonds as an investment diminishes. Either way, CZ continues to entice, offering savings plus quality, qualifying cubic zirconia as a legitimate frontrunner.

About the author:
Derek Belay works for Jewelry Payless.com and KingIce.com as a marketing manager.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, cz and mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

Gemstone Engagement Rings by Julie Shields

2006-09-30T14:13:00.000-04:00

Blue sapphire engagement rings have been known to be preferred by royalty because the blue sapphire stone is even more rare than a diamond and is almost as hard. This is a nice factoid to share with your number one queen as you slip a blue sapphire engagement ring on her ring finger. Blue sapphires come in a range of shades from a light to deep blue. The blue color is due to the level of titanium in the stone: the more titanium, the richer the color. However, too much color can actually create a dull black effect, reducing the price of the stone.

Most blue sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Madagascar. Burmese sapphires tend to cost more than those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar due to their brilliant color. Kashmir blue sapphires are the most rare and expensive of all as the supply found in a remote region of India was exhausted around a 100 years ago, thus escalating price and demand.

Prices for blue sapphires depend on whether or not they've been treated (with untreated costing much more) as well as color, cut, tone (lightness or darkness of stone), saturation (degree to which hue is hidden by other shades), and clarity. One carat blue sapphires can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Buy your ruby engagement rings with pride! Don't let anyone tell you that diamonds are better as engagement rings. Only you and your potential spouse should decide what fits in with your style, taste, and budget........not popular opinion.... or your future mother-in-law. Besides, you can always tell the nay-sayers that large rubies are even more rare than diamonds. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire. Rubies are almost as hard as diamonds. Diamonds are considered a "10" on the hardness scale while rubies come in at a 9. Rubies have somewhat less clarity than other gemstones and tend to have at least some small inclusions. Most rubies are heat-treated to improve their color, but stones in their natural form do exist. Cushion cut and oval rubies are the most common shape. Burmese rubies are considered to be the most desirable.

You may be able to save money by purchasing a ruby with a slightly off-shade i.e. a little bit lighter or darker than what is considered ideal... a vivid red color. You can also save some dough by purchasing synthetic versus natural rubies. Rubies belong to the corundum family. Any other color besides red from this family is considered a sapphire.

Rest assured that buying opal engagement rings for your partner will not bring them bad luck but perhaps even the opposite. Concerning the opal gemstone superstition, some still feel that it is bad luck to purchase an opal for oneself, but good luck if someone else gives one to you. Throughout history there have been negative connotations associated with opals. Interestingly enough, it is said that the diamond dealers became nervous in the 18th and 19th century about the beatiful gemstone stealing away diamond customers and further perpepuated stereotypes of the opal to prevent this from happening. The powers that be tried hard to defeat this bad luck urban legend when huge amounts of opals were found in Australia.

I personally love opal engagement rings. With their rainbow hues, I just think opals are some of the prettiest stones around. The rainbow shades are oftened referred to as a "play of color." Most of the opal supply come from our Aussie friends in Southern Australia.

Here's the science behind the opals. Opals are a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica which are formed from amorphous "balls" or "lumps" of silica. In other words, water in the ground carrying dissolved silica seeps through sand and dirt, where the silica particles are deposited in cracks. As the water evaporates, the silica particles cement together to form the opal. The color is caused by the diffraction of light. Where the tiny spheres of silica are of a similar size and arrangement, the light reflecting from them is divided into its spectral colors, and the stone appears to contain all the colors of the rainbow. Where the spheres are larger and less uniform, the range of color is more limited.

One of the major downfalls of opal engagement rings compared to diamonds is that opals are a much softer stone. While the diamond is considered to be a 10 on the Mohs hardness sclae, the opal rates between a 5 and a 6. This means that over time, it is possible for the opal to break and you must be careful to treat it with care and look for a ring setting that best preserves its integrity (i.e. semi-bezel is a good choice).

Opals exhibit an impressive color range. They can be white, pink, green and blue, gray, or black. Australian boulder opals are the most durable of opals as well as the most robust in color. As a result, they are considered to be valuable and are pretty pricey Black opals are actually the most rare and expensive. They have a dark backdrop with a rainbow colors or deep blue-green hues. Fire opals, which have any color backdrop but exhibit an unusual amount of red color play are also fairly rare

There are a thousand legends and stories related to the opal gemstone.

The Ancient Greeks believed opals fell from heaven during flashes of lightning and provided individuals with the ability to see into the future.

The Romans thought that wearing opals made one more lucid in thought and spontaneous in action.

Can you believe this? In his play "Tweltfh Night," Shakespeare made use of the gemstone to make an analogy between the opal's changing colors and the ever-changing moods of a woman. Hmmmmmmmm.......not sure if I like the comparison.

About the author:
The author recently got married and is sporting a beautiful ascher cut diamond ring. She and her husband developed the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com/ in order to help you find the perfect engagement ring.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

New Black Opal Triplet Jewelry Added!

2006-09-19T12:26:00.000-04:00

Update from Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures - We have just added a number of new black opal triplet jewelry items. Because each one is unique they don't tend to stay around very long and we had been neglectful of adding enough new items. That has been remedied for now. We have added opal rings set with black opal triplets (including some with the highest grade triplets), opal earrings set with opal triplets, as well as sterling silver and 14kt gold opal pendants with standard and highest grade Australian opal triplets. We have also added a few more unisex and/or men's opal rings.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, mystic cz, and now a few cameo pendants as well.

BIRTHSTONE MEANING

2006-09-15T12:55:00.000-04:00

BIRTHSTONE MEANING

January - Garnet
The Romans named this deep-red stone granatum, or pomegranate, because of its resemblance to the fruit's rare, jewel-like seeds. Symbolizing faith and courage, garnets are believed to intensify affection and nurture the imagination.

February - Amethyst
A symbol of peace since ancient times, amethyst was once used to decorate the British crown jewels. Believed to promote tranquility, the stones are revered for their soothing characteristics.

March - Aquamarine
Named from the Latin words for water and sea, aquamarines were once worn by sailors to protect against seasickness. Today, the translucent blue stone is a symbol of courage and everlasting youth.

April - Diamond
During the Italian Renaissance, diamonds came to represent divine love from the translation dio (God) and amante (love). Today, diamonds remain the ultimate symbol of everlasting devotion.

May - Emerald
Due to its rich green hue, the ancients equated emeralds with spring and prized them as symbols of rebirth. The vibrant stones are believed to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart.

June - Pearl
According to Arabic legend, pearls are formed when dewdrops fill with moonlight and fall into the ocean. The world's oldest known gem, pearls are believed to promote prosperity and long life.

July - Ruby
Believed to promote balance in love and all spiritual endeavors, the ruby is not only the world's rarest gemstone, but also the one many consider to be the most passionate.

August - Peridot/Sardonyx
Ancient Romans called peridot the "evening emerald", since its vivid green color does not darken at night. Once believed to drive away evil spirits, the stone is still considered a symbol of good luck.

September - Sapphire
The ancients believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection colored the sky. Once worn by kings to protect against harm, today sapphires are believed to promote inner peace.

October - Opal/Tourmaline
Shakespeare onced used opals as his muse, their luminous surfaces mirroring the wonder of the skies, rainbows, fireworks and lightening at once. Today, the stone is a symbol of both intuition and joy.

November - Citrine/Yellow Topaz
Derived from the French word citron, meaning lemon, citrine is also known as the jewel of the sun. The golden stone has been aptly linked with light-heartedness, happiness and joy.

December - Blue Topaz/Turquoise
The ancient greeks believed topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible. Still considered a powerful stone, today this dazzling gem is also a symbol of rejuvenation and joy.

about the author:
Alice Sy graduated with Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) from the University of Hong Kong and served as the Director of World Champ International Enterprises since 1993.
For more details about the products and services of World Champ International Enterprises, please visit http://www.1JewelryWatch.com

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures specializes in opal jewelry & ammolite jewelry but also offers a wide variety of jewelry set with semi precious colored gemstones including paua shell, turquoise, rainbow moonstone, topaz and mystic topaz, and mystic cz.

At-Home Shopping Guide: Buying Unique Jewelry Online is Increasingly Popular

2006-09-08T10:17:00.000-04:00

Jewelry has become a popular seller online in recent years, so you're bound to see thousands of designs while shopping for jewelry on the Web. How do you choose what type of jewelry and where to buy it? It's easy with this free shopping guide.

Types of Jewelry

Finding the right type of jewelry involves several factors: favorite designs or styles, colors and size of the jewelry.

Matching Jewelry with Your Outfit

Everyone has his or her favorite jewelry designs or styles. Whether it's silver or gold, costume jewelry or any other type, there are thousands of designs to choose from. Let's start with stones. Stones are used in rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even body jewelry. There are real diamonds, birthstones, cubic zirconium, crystal stones, gems, pearls, black onyx and many others. Some jewelry has multiple stones while some uses only one stone. Stones might represent one color or come in a blend of colors.

Choose stones that match the colors in your clothing for maximum appeal. But don't stop there! You can also choose stones to match the occasion. Pearls are beautiful for formal gatherings, but not so much for a ball game! On the other hand, a black onyx necklace or bracelet would go beautifully with a business suit or formal attire.

Another part of design to consider is how the jewelry is presented against clothing or the skin. Do you like jewelry to "hang" loosely or lay flat? Do you like necklaces to be long, short (against the neck) or somewhere in between? The best way to find out is to try on several pieces of jewelry to see what looks best on you. If possible, wear your matching outfit when you go shopping for jewelry. This enables you to match the jewelry to your outfit right there in the store! If ordering online, hold your outfit near the photo of the jewelry on your computer screen to get a match. It really works!

Theme Jewelry

Theme jewelry is very popular today as well. Choose themes for the occasion or just to express your likes. Some jewelry themes include:

*Animals (cows, birds, snakes, cats, frogs, rabbits, elephants, leopards, etc.)

*Nature (trees and flowers)

*Holidays (Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving)

*Patriotic

*Funny (clowns, jokers, sayings

*Religious (crosses, emblems)

Jewelry Gifts

When shopping for jewelry gifts, observe the jewelry the recipient wears to get an idea of the styles they like. Consider the recipient's age. Is he/she an adult, teen or young child? Shopping online enables you to search for jewelry by category: Women's Jewelry, Men's Jewelry, Children's Jewelry, and Teen Jewelry. This makes it much easier to sift through thousands of jewelry products.

Online Shopping Tips

When searching for jewelry on the Web, be sure to narrow your search to the types of jewelry you like. Use the styles and themes mentioned above to narrow your search. It's even better if you can find an online mall and search for jewelry all in one place. These malls offer categorized jewelry items with photos for easy shopping.

Don't be shy of malls that offer other products. These usually divide their jewelry into one convenient section. You can even do your other online shopping while there. Many of the online malls offer a variety of products, including electronics, cell phones, outdoor supplies, sporting goods, computer supplies, collectibles and many others.

Shopping for jewelry has never been easier. With online resources, you can find jewelry for yourself or gifts for others in no time!

About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: shoppingVisit Majon's Jewelry directory.

Jill's Jewelry & Opal Treasures offers a wide variety of .925 sterling silver, gold-filled, and 14kt gold jewelry, including rings, pendants, earrings, handcrafted necklaces and bracelets set with opals, ammolite, dichroic glass, rainbow moonstones, stabilized turquoise and more. We have also recently added a cameo pendant section with select floral cameos set in sterling silver and gold filled pendants.