


Learn about Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds, Pearls and more. Precious and semi-precious gemstones come in every color imaginable, and they add interest and excitement to any piece of jewelry.

19 articles in this category :: back to FJU home

  1. Peridot is a bright yellow-green gemstone

    Gem in the Spotlight: Peridot


  2. Tanzanite is a beautiful blue purple gemstone that is very rare

    Gem in the Spotlight: Tanzanite


  3. Beautiful iolite jewelry and loose gemstones

    Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite


  4. A stunning rich blue oval sapphire

    Gem in the Spotlight: Sapphire

    Few gems capture the imagination as does sapphire. Sapphire’s beauty inspired people to wonder. Ancient cultures had many lore and beliefs about the sapphire. The ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection gave the sky its color. Ancient priests and sorcerers honored sapphire above all gems, for this stone enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future. Symbolizing truth, sincerity and tradition, it has been said that when Moses received the Ten Commandments they rested on tablets of sapphires. Marriage partners put great faith... read more »

  5. Loose opal gemstones

    Gem in the Spotlight: Opal

    The opal has been described as containing the wonders of the skies, sparkling rainbows, fireworks, lightning, the gentler fire of the ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, and the sea-green of the emerald. Opal’s lore is as colorful as the opal itself. The ancient Greeks felt that the opal gave foresight and the gift of prophecy to the wearer. The Romans believed opal was the symbol of hope and purity. In fact, Pliny, the ancient Roman scholar in about 70 A.D., wrote that opal had the fire of the... read more »

  6. Tourmaline jewelry and loose gems

    Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline

    Tourmaline is a beautiful gem that comes in a huge variety of colors (sometimes even within the same stone). This article teaches you all about the history, folklore, and gemology of tourmaline including varieties like rubellite, indicolite, paraíba, and more. You'll also learn about California tourmaline and the unique piezoelectric property that has made tourmaline as useful as it is beautiful... read more »

  7. Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz

    Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth. Many of quartz’s gems are common for gemstones but, some varieties are very rare. Some are Plain Jane like rock quartz, others are exotic like Drusy Quartz. Some quartz material is a dollar per pound others are $1,000 per carat. Quartz is a gemstone with surprising variety... read more »

  8. Gem in the Spotlight: Topaz

    Topaz is a gemstone with amazing variety. Topaz is naturally colorless and clear like a diamond, but it can also take on an entire range of colors. Yellow to reddish-orange is known as Precious Topaz or Imperial Topaz. Imperial Topaz is one of the expensive varieties of Topaz. Gem suppliers can even bombard Topaz in a nuclear reactor to produce various shades of Blue Topaz. Topaz is the birthstone for November, and they make great gifts for anyone born in November, or for anyone that just likes beautiful jewelry... read more »

  9. Blue Zircon loose gems and jewelry

    Gem in the Spotlight: Blue Zircon
