Blue Diamond Earrings

There are so many lovely diamond earrings that it is often difficult to choose the perfect pair. However, if you are looking for a diamond that is unique, the perfect stone would be a breathtaking blue diamond. Only red is more rare, yet still not as lovely as a cool blue diamond. Of the world’s most famous diamonds, the three that top the list are all blue.

The famous Hope Diamond, the Heart of Eternity Diamond and the Blue Heart Diamond top the list of the world’s most famous and priceless diamonds and it is not merely because of their size. While the Hope Diamond is an amazing 45.52 carats, it is not the size that makes it so unique, or even the exquisite cut, yet it is the sheer beauty of that crystal blue diamond that sets it apart from other stones.

Diamonds are steeped in lore from as far back as Biblical times and they have always been synonymous with priceless gifts. They stand for eternity, and are thought to have the ability to withstand unseen forces. A diamond is the hardest stone on earth and as such, was once believed to cut through anything that stood in one’s path. Perhaps these are the reasons why diamonds have traditionally been used as a sign of undying love when offered as an engagement ring.

As it should be expected, a gem this rare will be more costly than other stones. While diamonds generally are known to be …

Blue Chalcedony Earrings

Blue chalcedony is a popular gemstone with today’s jewelry designers. Chalcedony is a type of quartz known as microcrystalline, which means the crystals are undetectable unless looked at under a strong magnifier. It is common for chalcedony to be sold only as a one color stone, while other gems that fall into this category are given other names like agate and jasper. There are many different types of jewelry that this type of crystal can be made into, including blue chalcedony earrings. These earrings are ideal for anyone because the stunning shade of blue goes with anything.

The color of blue chalcedony ranges from light to medium. Some stones are more translucent than others. Sometimes this type of crystal has a pink or gray tint. Occasionally a chalcedony stone will have adularescence, which is a clouding commonly seen with moonstone. It is caused by the interference of light due to miniscule inclusions. This cloudiness does not mar the beauty of the stone, in fact it enhances it as it seems to float from within. Another thing you should know about the blue chalcedony stone is that it is often named based on where it hails from. The color can also be affected by the place of origin.

For example, Nevada and California offer Mt. Airy and Mohave Blue stones. These have a moderate gray tint and range from light to medium blue. The African country of Namibia also produces this stone, which is known as African Blue. This type …

Blue Sapphire Stones

There is something about the color blue that makes it the most favored color in the world. Psychologists say that there is something calming about the color as it reminds us of the sky on a clear day or the crystal clear depths of the ocean. Without knowing anything about blue sapphire stones from a gemologist’s point of view, they are among the most popular stones simply because of their color. However, in terms of a gemstone, sapphires are second only to diamonds in their hardness, coming in at 9 on the Mohs scale which makes them durable and easy to care for, and of course quite valuable.

What Exactly Is a Blue Sapphire?

The ‘funny’ thing about a blue sapphire is that you could say it is the same stone as a ruby only it is blue and not red! Both are gemstones of the corundum family of minerals but a blue sapphire gets its color from both titanium and iron impurities being present in the crystal while rubies derive their vivid red color from chromium. A sapphire then is any member of the corundum family that is colored anything but ruby red, and blue sapphire stones are not only the most beautiful, they are the most valuable. Going a step further, cornflower blue from gems mined in Kashmir is actually the most valuable of all the blues. Sapphires are only found in a few locations around the world, the most notable being Kashmir (India), Burma, Australia, Thailand, …

Swarovski Drop Earrings

Swarovski Crystal Earrings

In today’s jewelry industry, there are certain elite companies that distinguish themselves by offering only the finest products, crafted solely from the highest quality raw materials. One such company is Swarovski, the brand name carrying worldwide recognition for their luxurious crystals and crystal jewelry.

Swarovski crystals are used to create crystal glass miniatures and sculptures and to adorn clothing, jewelry, chandeliers or other home decor elements. All Swarovski sculptures are inscribed with the brand’s logo, which evolved from the original edelweiss flower, to a “S.A.L.” engraving, and finally to the current swan logo.

The brand is nowadays recognized worldwide, sometimes to the point of crystal jewelry being uniquely associated with the Swarovski name. The crystals produced by Swarovski have earned their fame through their unique features: precision cuts, impressive clarity and marvelous sparkle. Swarovski crystals are used to create a wide variety of jewelry, from necklaces and pendants to rings, earrings and tiaras.

The reason why the Swarovski crystals are highly coveted in the jewelry industry is their unique appearance and brilliant refraction characteristics, as well as unparalleled cuts and innovative shapes. In order to obtain the rainbow spectrum refraction that Swarovski crystals exhibit, certain coating techniques are used. One of the most popular is called Aurora Borealis, or simply “AB”, which is a metallic coating used on some crystals to ensure that the light refracted by their surface disperses into a rainbow spectrum of colors. Such technique, in conjunction with a glass composition containing 32 percent lead, yields the …

Asscher Cut Earrings

Asscher Cut Diamond Earrings

There are many different cuts available when it comes to diamonds. The cut is one of the all-important 4 C’s (clarity, color, carat and cut.) Examples of different diamond cuts include round, emerald, marquise, princess and Asscher. This cut is named after the Royal Asscher Diamond Company who created it. Created by Joseph Asscher, this cut was a hallmark of the Art Deco style but is highly popular today. If you’re shopping for earrings consider a pair of Asscher cut diamond earrings, which will become a treasured part of your jewelry collection and possibly a family heirloom as well.

Diamond

The shape of this diamond is square, but the corners are deeply cut which gives the stone almost an octagon appearance. The stone feature multiple steps and is sometimes referred to as the square emerald cut. It is similar to a cushion cut diamond also. Unlike step cut emerald stones, the Asscher cut has a more fiery and dazzling look due to the number and positioning of the step cuts. This cut is patented, so if you buy Asscher cut diamond earrings make sure your jeweler shows you proof of authenticity such as the official insignia and identification number.

Most Asscher diamonds are held in a prong setting. Many are smaller than other cuts because a stone too large detracts from the unique beauty of this cut. You can go for earrings as small as a quarter carat, half carat, three-fourths carat or even a whole carat depending on your budget …