Gem Facts

Gemstones like flowers come in every hue, tone and saturation. Both evolve from the earth.

They are warm.

They are beautiful.

Sadly the beauty of flowers fade with time… but we can still enrich our lives with the beauty of colored gemstones they are everlasting.


RHJ Gold designed the gemstone gallery to introduce you to the exciting world of colored gemstones.

Gemstones are collected from every corner of the world: every colored gemstone is a unique creation that brings a rich history that blends the mystery of Nature with the skill of man.

Shapes
Gemstones are cut in a variety of different shapes which are usually determined by the shape of their rough crystals. Many are also "calibrated" or cut to a consistent dimension so they are able to fit in a number of different jewelry mountings. Here are some of the more popular gemstones shapes.



Always pick a gemstone because it gives you the most pleasure to wear and a color that fits your beauty. There are a number of things to learn when selecting a gemstone. First most gemstones are judged by their beauty and rarity.

Another interesting fact is that the same "four C's" that establish quality in Diamond are used to grade colored gemstones.

Gemstones are graded for their Cut, Carat weight, Clarity and most importantly, Color.

Color: The more pure and vivid the color, the more valuable the gemstone.

Cut: Gemstones must be cut well to attain their maximum potential for beauty. Quality cutting is what produces the brilliance and scintillation that captures the eye of the beholder.

Clarity: All Gemstones have what is known as characteristics or inclusions that provide clues to prove the gemstones true natural origin. These inclusions should not be so visible that they detract from the beauty of the gemstone.

Carat Weight: Carat weight: Obviously, the larger gemstones are going to be rarer. However, some gemstones, such as Amethyst and tourmaline, routinely occur in very large sizes while others, such as Ruby and Sapphire, rarely occur in sizes above 2 carats.


Years ago, most people considered Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire as the "precious" gemstones and all others as "semiprecious." In truth, all natural colored gemstone are rare and precious.

Women of today have opportunities open to them that the great beauties of time would have envied! Such as Catherine the Greats Wealth or Cleopatra's power couldn't bring them the selection of colored gemstones available today. And the best part is, you don't have to be a queen nor and empress to afford them.

Colored gemstone jewelry is elegant, affordable and available in an infinite array of colors and combinations. Armed with a little knowledge and a minimal investment, you can create a colored gemstone wardrobe that reflects your personality and makes an unforgettable statement about you.


Emerald mined by the Egyptians nearly 4,000 years ago, Cleopatra was an avid collector. The mines have long since played out in Egypt.

South America's rich bounty of Emeralds was discovered by 16th Century Spanish explorers who found large Emeralds in the possession of the Aztecs and Incas.

Today, most of the world's Emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia, and are cut in a variety of different shapes, ranging from the traditional rectangular step-cut, know as the "emerald cut," to rounds, ovals squares and even cabochons.

Most natural Emeralds have inclusions, often called "jardin," or gardens, which are regarded as Emerald's natural birthmarks.

Ruby have been the prized possession of emperors and kings throughout the ages. Ruby's inner fire has been the inspiration from legends and myths, and to this day, no red gemstone can compare to its fiery, rich hues.

Ruby is mined throughout Southeast Asia. While Thailand and Burma produce the lion's share. Sri Lanka and Africa also produce exquisite examples of this gemstone.

Sapphire most people consider Sapphire as the preeminent blue gemstone, the magnificently versatile Sapphire can be found in a rainbow of colors, spectacular yellows and oranges , pinks and even lavenders, and soothing greens.

These diverse colors are referred to as "fancy" color Sapphires. Its one of Nature's most durable gemstones, Sapphire shares this quality with its sister, the Ruby. Red corundum is Ruby; all other members of corundum species are called Sapphire.

Sapphire is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Sapphires are from Burma, Kashmir and SriLanka.

Amethyst the traditional birthstone for the month of February is available in small and large sizes, although as with all gemstones, very large sizes in rich deep colors have always been rare. Amethyst is quartz which is mostly colorless, but most prized for its purple and golden varieties.

Citrine, derived from the French word for lemon, known for its golden and yellow colors, is the most affordable of all of the earth-toned gemstones and is the alternate birthstone for November. Occasionally, Mother Nature combines the colors of Amethyst and Citrine into a single, exciting gemstone we call Ametrine.

Brazil is the primary source of these three gemstones. Amethyst and Citrine are found in Zambia also known for significant amount of Amethyst.

Garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, from the deep red Garnet to the vibrant greens. Garnet is the traditional birthstone for the month of January, however, red need not be your only color of choice if you are born in this month, there are the rich orange and golden hues, striking greens, petal soft colors of violet and lavender, all await your selection.

Aquamarine captures the beauty of the sea. It is said that the mermaids gave this gemstone as a gift to men and Aquamarine will bring love to all who own it.

Aquamarines are found in a range of blue shades, from the pastel to greenish-blue to a deep blue. The deeper blue gems are rare.

Aquamarines are mined in a number of places including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, but most of the gemstones available today come from Brazil.

Iolite was used by the Vikings as a filter from the haze and glare of the sun which aided these fearless warriors in navigation of the vast oceans upon which they sailed. Iolite, mined in India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Brazil, can be obtained in sizes up to 3 to 4 carats. While it is not as well known as its blue counterparts Sapphire and Tanzanite, this blue gemstone is gaining popularity for its beauty and its attractive affordability.

Opal has ignited man's imagination for more than 2,000 years with the flashes of fire that magically burn within its depths.

Opals symbolized hope, innocence and purity to the Greeks and Romans. The main supplies of Opal come primarily from Australia, Mexico and the United States. Most Opals are cut into rounded or free-form cabochons that enhance their play of color.

Tanzanite has a vivid blue and purple hue. It comes from Eastern Africa and was discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Part of the Zoisite mineral species, Tanzanite is named after the country where it is mined and to date has been found nowhere else on earth. Tanzanite, one of the most popular blue gemstones available today, occurs in a variety of shapes and sizes. Tanzanite almost always displays its signature overtones of purple.

Topaz is found in Brazil, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Africa and China. Topaz is the birthstone for November, and is the sign of Sagittarius it is the gift for your 23rd anniversary. Topaz occurs in colors from red, orange, peach, pink and yellow but the brilliant blue Topaz is the shade found rarely in Nature.

Tourmaline occurs in spectacular colors, but it also combines those colors in a single gemstone called bi-color. One color combination has a pink center and a green outer rim called watermelon. They are mined in many parts of the world, Brazil East Africa, Afghanistan, and the United States.

Zircon was believed to bring wisdom, and honor even wealth to those who possess it. Zircon is the December Birthstone and is associated with the signs of both Taurus and Scorpio. Zircon is mined in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia. Zircon has fire and brilliance comes in vibrant colors of greens, blues and earth tones.

Pearl is unique in the world of colored gemstones. It is the only gemstone formed within a living creature of the sea. Natural Pearls from the sea have long since become exhausted. Today, cultured Pearls are grown and harvested in many parts of the world including the fresh water pearls. The majority of cultured Pearls come from the waters of Japan, and the South Pacific.

Pearls come in many colors, from crème and white to lilac, green, gray and the famous black Tahitian Pearls. Pearls come in graduated or uniform strands. They can be bought as single to make up pendants, earrings and rings.

Our Gemstone Gallery touches only the surface of the vast and rich colors of colored gemstones. Whatever the fashion we hope you will find that selecting a piece of gemstone jewelry will become your unique signature.

We hope you will find the opportunity to select or design jewelry that truly reflects who you are. Mother Nature shares with us precious gemstones, but is requires the artistry of the jeweler to frame them into jewelry.