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Exploring The World Of ColorColored gemstones are often compared to flowers. Like flowers, colored gemstones come in every conceivable hue, tone and saturation. Scientific terms used to describe color in both flowers and colored gemstones. However, unlike flowers whose beauty is fleeting, the beauty of colored gemstones is everlasting. And like flowers, some gemstones have even been alive. While diamonds are found from only a small number of locations in a few countries of the world, colored gemstones arrive at the jewelry store from the four corners of the globe. Colored gemstones have a rich history in many countries and cultures. Each gemstone is uniquely created by the mystery of nature and fashioned by the skill of man. Most people are somewhat familiar with the gemological properties of diamonds and feel somewhat comfortable purchasing a diamond or diamond jewelry. They have heard about the 4C's and although they may not fully understand them, they use the charts to often make their choice. This is usually because the differences in diamonds are very slight from nearby grades. Using similar charts would be a mistake when choosing a colored gemstone. Although the 4C's are used, one needs to understand the enhancements that are often performed on colored gemstones and how the enhancement processes affect the price. In addition, proper alignment of the rough gemstone for the cutting and polishing processes, the chosen shape, the quality cut and final polish are extremely important in the quality of a colored gemstone. Therefore, buying a colored gemstone is often a very different and difficult experience for most people than buying a diamond. We have designed this section to introduce you to the exciting world of colored gemstones. You may already know all about your birthstone and some old friends as well but you may also discover some fascinating and beautiful colored gemstones which you have never seen. Explore the sections and the links and when you have a question, contact us and have your question answered by the store's geologist and Graduate Gemologist (GIA). Back to topThe Color PaletteRed The Color of LoveThe color red can stimulate the appetite and can actually cause a person's heart to be faster. The latter effect is why red is thought of as the color of love. If you are a person who wishes to communicate a sense of daring and excitement, if you wish to be notice, then wear red colored gemstones.
Pink the quintessential color of feminitityThe color pink will speak to the sensitive and sensual side in each of us. Color psychologists who study the effects of color say that pink has the power to steal the energy of those who observe it. So choose pink if you are painting a jail cell. And if you wish to make someone's knees go weak, then wear pink. Although the color is also associated with love, pink is considered more affectionate and gentle than the racy, passionate red. Hence, to show your softer side, wear the pastel pinks and if you wish to be brave and more passionate wear the intense hot pinks.
Orange Communicates a Sense of Warmth, ENergy and PlayfulnessSpicy and exotic are associated with the darker shades of orange while the lighter shades communicate enthusiasm and organization. The lighter or pastel shades can also be considered retro and feminine. So to send a message you are a warm person, who still likes the spicy side of life, wear the vibrant orange colors however, to present your more gentle side and to send a message that you are comfortable with yourself, then wear the pastel oranges.
Yellow the Cheerful ColorAlthough yellow typically transmit cheerfulness, it can be overpowering if overused. In small doses it has positive effects such as reminders written of "sticky notes" but when you paint signs and emergency vehicles, it can over power your senses. So if you are looking to stand out in a crowd, you can do so with small splashes of yellow gemstones and you'll get noticed.
Green the Color Associated with NatureGreen is considered a calming color but add a little yellow and you add energy. The color is associated with freshness and abundance. As the connection to abundance, think of the color of money and wealth. If your life needs a little balance and refueling from leaving in a hectic world, any shade of green should help out. Add a little yellow to the green to increase the energy level.
Blue and Teals the Most Popular ColorsThe color blue represents loyalty and communicates a sense of trust and balance. Just look at the color of the suits and dresses of our politicians. Today, blue is a good choice to select for you outfit in a job interview.
Purple the Color of RoyaltyPurple has been the color of royalty as long as there have been kings and queens. Purple is a complex color which can be both vibrant and electric and also smooth like jazz. Purple has the ability and power to brighten our modes and invigorate us or it can at the same time soften our rough edges of a difficult day. They say to present a regal nature of ones self then wear a dark purple color. However, to present a message of relaxed confidence then wear a pastel purple.
White and Beige the Color of Purity, Peace and TranquilityEverybody knows that white represents purity, however, it also represents peace and tranquility as well and is considered a crisp powerful gem color. The white color, which is actually a blending of all the colors, is the most important and most powerful of all colors in the rainbow. Just think of diamonds and where they belong in the ladder of power.
Black the Color of Power and the Opposite of WhiteWhite symbolizes power and authority and is the partner of it's counter point color white. Black goes with anything, for women just think of the "little black dress". So if you wish to communicate confidence and timeless style then a black gemstone is a classic option for you. Black gemstones are a chic and sophisticated choice which can complement other gemstones in a jewelry design or stand on their own as a bold statement.
Brown Another Color of Associated with NatureBrown is also considered a calming color but add a little yellow and you also some add energy and warmth. The color brown is sometimes associated with a warmer black but it has it's own properties different from black. Warm is the key term used with the color and it is usually the color that follows green as Nature's color. So to present a confident, natural and a laid back casual side of your personality choose a brown colored gemstone.
Gemstone InformationWhen does a ROCK become a GEMSTONE? The answer to that question is; when the rock meets three criteria, RARE, BEAUTIFFUL and DURABLE the rock becomes a gemstone. There are many rare and beautiful rocks and minerals, usually in a unique crystalline display, which because of the durable requirement never become a gemstone. They remain just a beautiful rock or mineral specimen for a collector or a museum. To explore the individual properties of a particular gemstone of interest, click on the below link which will take you to the AGTA or the American Gem Trade Association, the jewelry trade's authoritative source on natural gemstones. Schuck Jewelers have been proud to have been offering the finest lab created gemstones since the mid 1960's. Chatham created gemstones has been our source and its history goes back to the 1930's. To learn more about their beautiful lab created Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, Alexandrites, Opals and Diamonds click on the below link. Chatham Created Gemstones 
Natural, Synthetic, and Simulated ... What's the Difference?A NATURAL or genuine gemstone is a material made entirely by Mother Nature without the help of man. However, even with the long list of colored gemstones, only a few colored gemstones have not undergone some form of enhancement or a combination of enhancements or treatments. The jewelry trade accepts the enhancement as a normal process to a finished gemstone as long as the enhancement is stable. These enhanced colored gemstones are still considered genuine but enhanced, and you should be informed by the seller that the gemstone has been enhanced and by what method or methods. To learn more about colored gemstone enhancements click the following link:
http://www.agta.org/gemstones/agta-gim.pdf
Caution: the above link is a PDF file and is very detailed A SYNTHETIC or lab created colored gemstone is a material made entirely by Mother Nature with the help of man. In a lab the growing environment of the desired gemstone is created by controlling the raw ingredients, the heat and pressure required by Mother Nature and after a period of time gemstone crystals grow. Afterwards the crystals are graded and those which meet the gem parameters are sent to the cutting and polishing departments. By law, every synthetic gemstone must have all the same physical, chemical and optical properties as its natural counterpart. Only with a very careful examination, usually requiring sophisticated laboratory equipment and experience can a gemologist make the separation of synthetic vs. natural. To learn more about the premier created gemstone growing company, Chatham, click the following link: A SIMULATED material used for jewelry is neither a natural nor a synthetic gemstone and it could be said, it is not even a "gem" in any sense. It is a material usually glass, plastic or synthetic material made to look like a particular gemstone. An example is cementing with green colored cement, two halves of a cut stone made of colorless glass. The result is called a triplet which then "looks like an emerald". Another example is producing a stone using a synthetic produced sapphire in a purple color to look like an amethyst. Although it is a synthetic sapphire, it is used to simulate an amethyst which is a color of quartz. These are inexpensive stones produced by a flame fusion process developed in the late 1890's and used in great qualities in class rings. Back to topBirthstone List
Anniversary Gemstone List
A Tutorial: Tips for Buying and Additional Information
The Gemological Institute of America or GIA was established in 1931. Today, they have earned the respect as world's most trusted authority on diamonds, colored gem stones and pearls. A non profit institute, GIA's mission is to maintain that public trust in gems and jewelry. Therefore, as a part of their mission they have developed many tutorials to help make public education of colored gems interesting and easy to understand. If you wish to take a simply and fun tutorial to learn the following...
... then click on the following link. Back to top |
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