Category Archives: Gemstones

February babies: your birthstone is amethyst! This regal stone was practically made to be the February birthstone — the patron of romantic love, St. Valentine, wore an amethyst ring carved with the image of cupid. Every month, we like to dive into each birthstone’s history, symbolism, and lore, so that you can better understand and appreciate the gemstone’s unique beauty and meaning. Amethyst is a stunning and popular gemstone, making for stunning jewelry. Let’s look at its history and the famous amethysts throughout the centuries. What is Amethyst? Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz mineral species. Its color can range from cool and bluish, to reddish purple. Besides being the birthstone for February, it is also the gem for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. Yes, there’s a gem for every anniversary! Today, amethyst is the most valued of the quartz variety. The History of Amethyst The amethyst has a long history, stretching back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where it was believed to have protective and healing powers. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church believed the gemstone’s purple hue was a sign of religious piety. Many bishops and other high-ranking clergy members wore the gemstone in jewelry as a sign of devotion. The ruling classes of Europe and Asia prized it highly and used it to make ornate jewelry and other decorative items. According to Greek mythology, amethyst was created by Bacchus, the Greek god of intoxication, wine, and grapes. He was pursuing a woman, Amethyste, who refused his affections and prayed to the gods to remain chaste. The goddess Diana responded, transforming Amethyste into a white stone. In shame, Bacchus poured a goblet of wine over the stone as an offering, dyeing its crystals purple. Famous Amethysts One of the most famous amethysts is the Heron-Allen amethyst, which has a curious and tragic history. The purple gemstone was discovered in the late 19th century and was believed to be cursed due to its association with a series of mysterious deaths and misfortune. The amethyst was eventually sold to a collector, who hid it to avoid further tragedy. Whether it’s a birthstone or a curiosity, amethyst is a fantastic gemstone that will bring pleasure and delight to anyone wearing it. Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange has a great selection of gemstone jewelry, including amethyst, ready to add to your collection. Visit any of our locations to shop.

December babies, you have the distinct privilege of multiple birthstones to choose from! From the swimmable blues of turquoise to the rich violet-blue tones of tanzanite, your birthstone jewelry can satisfy any style. Read on to learn more about the three beautiful December birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. The OG December Birthstone: Turquoise   Turquoise may lack the sparkle of your rubies, diamonds, and sapphires, but it’s a unique stone that draws in admirers with its fascinating history, color, and texture. According to GIA, this December birthstone is only found in a few places: “dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.”  “Robin’s egg blue” is the most desirable color among jewelers and consumers alike. It varies in color from sky blue to green, depending on the amount of iron and copper it contains. According to the Smithsonian, “beads made from turquoise dating back to c.5000BCE have been found in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), making it one of the first gems to be mined and cut. It is relatively soft and easy to work and can be polished, made into beads, carved, and used for cameos.” Turquoise is porous, which means its color may deteriorate if frequently worn close to the skin. The Newcomer: Tanzanite A relatively new discovery, this December birthstone is a blue-violet variety of zoisite. Masai tribesman Ali Juuyawatu is credited with finding the first tanzanite crystal in 1967. Mistaking it as sapphire, he alerted a local fortune hunter named Manuel d’Souza, who quickly registered four mining claims. As its name hints, Tanzanite is mined commercially exclusively in northern Tanzania. While not quite as well-known as the “big 3” (emeralds, sapphires, and rubies), it has rivaled them in popularity. Therefore, powerhouse Tiffany & Co. recognized its potential and made a deal to become its main distributor in the 1960s. To Tiffany & Co., its rise in popularity was a sure thing. After all, a Tiffany vice president told The New York Times in 1969, “Tanzanite is the first transparent deep blue gemstone to be discovered in more than 2,000 years.” The color of this stone sets it apart. The rich, saturated violet-blue of tanzanite is unparalleled. Its high clarity and potential for large cut stones, along with the help of Tiffany & Co., lead to a boom in popularity during the 1960s and 70s. Although Tanzanites make great choices for everyday jewelry, they don’t rank as high on the Mohs hardness scale as diamonds or rubies. Consequently, this makes them more delicate. Jewelry designers protect the stones using various methods, such as invisible bezel prongs. The Wild Card: Zircon Zircon replaced lapis lazuli as an official December birthstone in 1952. According to GIA, Zircon occurs in an array of colors. The Zircon rainbow includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, and colorless. Colorless zircon contains brilliance and flashes of multicolored light called “fire.” Zircon is common in the earth’s crust and is fairly hard, with a Mohs hardness of 7.5. Scientists have determined it is the oldest mineral on earth, dating back 4.4 billion years! Blue zircon was popular during the Victorian ages and frequently featured in English estate jewelry during the 1880s. While zircon is a popular gemstone among consumers for its range of colors, blue is still a popular choice today! Looking for the perfect December birthstone piece for the December baby in your life? Shop any of our locations for fabulous gemstone jewelry!

Those born in September are lucky enough to call the sapphire their birthstone. Sapphire is also the gemstone for the 5th and 45th anniversaries. Read on to learn more fun facts about the September birthstone! About The September Birthstone The sapphire comes from the corundum family, which includes rubies. Blue sapphires have adorned crowns and regal robes for centuries. Its stunning blue hue is iconic — it’s the standard against which other blue gems are measured. According to GIA, the name “sapphire” can also apply to any corundum that’s not ruby red — those are categorized as rubies. We call any sapphire that’s not blue or red a “fancy” sapphire, which comes in various colors. Both blue and fancy sapphires come from Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Australia. Beyond (Sapphire) Blue While we typically think of sapphires as blue, fancy sapphires range in every color except ruby red. This includes pink, green, orange, and other hues. How do they get to be each color? First, trace elements of iron and titanium turn corundum blue. While chromium can cause the red shade of ruby or pink of pink sapphire. Colorless corundum also makes an excellent replacement for diamonds; however, it is a rare phenomenon and difficult to find. As if you didn’t already have enough options for sapphires, they also come in color-changing varieties. The stones change color under different lighting! History of The Sapphire The lore of sapphires has fascinated humans for centuries and has been associated with royalty and mystique. According to GIA, kings and queens believed blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm in ancient Greece and Rome. I doubt it protected their owners from envy — I’d undoubtedly be envious of a gorgeous sapphire piece! The royal history of the sapphire includes some more modern history. Princess Diana’s engagement ring, now Kate Middleton’s, is well-known as one of the most famous engagement rings ever.