Colored Stones
Ruby
Rubies are found in a variety of reds and can have shades of blue, purple, pink or brown. The most desirable color is pure red with a hint of blue. Origin is also a large factor in value, Rubies mined in Burma or Siam command drastically higher prices. Inclusions are common. Ruby belongs to the mineral group Corundum, which includes Sapphire. Corundum is the hardest mineral after diamond.
Ruby is the July birthstone.
Sapphire
Various shades of blue is the most common color of Sapphire set in jewelry. Sapphires are found in various colors including pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, black and colorless. The most desirable shade of blue is a soft, silky cornflower blue. Origin is a large factor in value, Sapphires mined in Kashmir or Ceylon command drastically higher prices. Part of the mineral group Corundum along with Ruby, Corundum is the hardest mineral next to diamond.
Sapphire is the September birthstone.
Emerald
The most desirable color of Emerald is a dark green but personal taste plays a large role. Medium green with slight blue is also considered desirable. Only the very finest emeralds are transparent, most are clouded with inclusions. Because of their structure, Emeralds are brittle and must be worn with care. Emerald is part of the mineral group Beryl, which includes Aquamarine.
Emerald is the May birthstone.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is found in colors ranging from light to dark blue and blue-green. Dark blue is the most desirable color. Like Emerald, Aquamarine is brittle and must be worn with care. Aquamarine is a part of the mineral group Beryl, which includes Emerald.
Aquamarine is the March birthstone.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is green or brownish green in sunlight and light red in artificial light (such as fluorescent light). Fine Alexandrite is among the most expensive of all precious stones. Alexandrite is the only part of the mineral group Chrysoberyl commonly used in jewelry.
Alexandrite is the June birthstone.
Amethyst
Amethyst is found in colors ranging from deep violet to pale red-violet. Amethyst is the most precious member of the Quartz mineral group which includes Citrine.
Amethyst is the February birthstone.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is found in colors ranging from light to dark blue and blue-green. Dark blue is the most desirable color. Like Emerald, Aquamarine is brittle and must be worn with care. Aquamarine is a part of the mineral group Beryl, which includes Emerald.
Aquamarine is the March birthstone.
Citrine
Citrine is a light to dark yellow or golden brown stone. Natural Citrines are very rare and are usually pale yellow. Most Citrines are Amethyst or Smoky Quartz treated with a heat process to give them a dark yellow or red-brown color. Part of the Quartz mineral group which includes Amethyst.
Garnet
The most common colors of Garnet used in jewelry are deep red with a brownish tint (sometimes called Bohemian Garnet) or rose-red with a blue tint (called Rhodolite Garnet). Garnet is also found in colors ranging from green to orange to brown and black. Garnet is a mineral group.
Garnet is the January birthstone.
Opal
Four varieties of Opal are commonly used in jewelry. White Opal has a creamy white base with a rainbow-like play of color. Boulder Opal has a dark base surface, usually brown, with deep blue and blue-green the most common colors. Boulder
Opals are rarer than white opals. Black Opal has a dark gray or black base with dark blue, dark green and red broad strokes of color. Black Opals are the rarest variety of Opal. Fire Opal is the only type of Opal that is translucent. Fire Opals are found in various hues of orange. All types of Opal are fragile and must be worn with care. Opal is a mineral group.
Opal is the October birthstone.
Peridot
Peridot is found in various shades of green including yellow-green to brownish-green and olive. Peridot is the only part of the Olivine mineral group commonly used in jewelry.
Peridot is the August birthstone.
Tanzanite
Higher quality Tanzanite has a blue to violet color and appears more violet in artificial light. Tanzanite is named after the country of Tanzania, the only source of the stone. Tanzanite is brittle and must be worn with care. Tanzanite is the only member of the Ziosite mineral group commonly used in jewelry.
Topaz
The most precious type of Topaz is Imperial Topaz, a reddish-orange sherry color. Other colors used in jewelry include various shades of yellow to gold, which are known as Golden Topaz. The color of Blue Topaz, available in various shades from light sky-blue to blue-green, is the result of a heat and radiation process. Topaz is a mineral group.
Golden Topaz is the November birthstone.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is found in a variety of colors including green, blue-green, pink, red, yellow, brown, blue, violet, black, colorless and multicolored. The two colors commonly used in jewelry are green and pink. Among the various pinks, a ruby color is the most valuable. Among the varieties of green, chrome green is most valuable. Tourmaline is a mineral group.
Zircon
Zircon is found in colors ranging from yellow, brown, orange, red, violet, green and colorless. Blue is the color commonly used in jewelry. The color of Blue Zircon is created by a heat process in which other colored Zircon, primarily brown, changes to blue. Zircon is a mineral group.
Blue Zircon is the December birthstone.