Lapis lazuli is an aluminum silicate with a deep blue color. It usually has inclusions of pyrite and/or calcite. The name means ‘blue stone’ in Latin.

It has been used extensively for thousands of year. Not just as a gemstone or stone of power, but also to be used as paint or even makeup when ground up.

Lapis lazuli is a powerful stone that brings out the best in people. Some people refer to it as a stone of royalty.

Lapis lazuli metaphysical properties

Lapis lazuli is connected to the third eye chakra (6^th chakra). Though some sources also connect it to the throat chakra (5^th chakra).

Because of its connection to the third eye chakra lapis lazuli can boost your self-awareness and psychic abilities.

In ancient times it was used by royalty and even today lapis lazuli can bring out royal qualities in all of us. This is especially true when your lapis lazuli stone has pyrite inclusions.

When it has calcite inclusions, which are white, it can aid you in clearing your mind and help you better focus and perhaps receive the ancient wisdom the stone contains.

Lapis lazuli legends and myths

Because of its sky blue color most of the myths and legends revolve around the evening or night sky. The connection becomes even stronger when you add the pyrite inclusions that look like stars.

Many Egyptian gods were connected to lapis lazuli. For example Ra, the sun god, had lapis lazuli hair. Because of the connection to gods it was often worn in protective amulets.

Lapis lazuli healing properties

Lapis lazuli has been used in treatments for thousands of years. Today it is still used in gemstone and crystal therapy. Some prescribe it in case of eye strain, but most of the time it is used to relieve stress. It can be used to improve sleep and helps with insomnia.

Disclaimer: Lapis lazuli should not be used instead of regular medical treatment, but in addition to these treatments. Always seek professional help when dealing with health related problems.

For more articles on lapis lazuli please visit this page: Lapis Lazuli: Starlit Sky Gemstone

Turquoise is a copper phosphate that is almost exclusively found as a light-blue stone.

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones and has been used for thousands of years. Which is why there are so many legends and myths surrounding this gemstone.

The power of turquoise is focused on communication and a connection to the spirit world. It is a powerful stone that has prized for its powers by many civilizations all over the world.

Turquoise metaphysical properties

Turquoise is connected to the throat chakra (5th chakra). Because of this connection, owning or wearing turquoise can boost your communicative skills.

Not just by stimulating the throat which will make it easier to articulate. But also by boosting confidence, which lets those who are naturally shy share their knowledge with others.

Turquoise is well known for a stone that can help you find the truth. Either by finding it in yourself, through communication with others or even through an enhanced connection to the spirit world.

This enhanced connection to the spirit world can also help by giving renewed energy when it is needed the most.

Turquoise legends and myths

As mentioned at the start turquoise is surrounded by many myths and legends. Native American tribes in particular attributed great powers to turquoise. Though it is hard to translate Native American languages to modern English, turquoise is often described as “Blue Sky Stone”.

The Apache wore turquoise jewelry to enhance their accuracy and protect them in battle. Even today the belief in the power of turquoise is strong. If you wear a turquoise ring or necklace and you see a crack in the stone, to a Native American this would mean that the stone protected you from something that would otherwise have harmed you.

Turquoise healing properties

The healing power of turquoise is mostly focused on clearing the mind. Relieving stress and aiding with the clearing of headaches. However it can also hold other powers, such as enhancing the circulation of the blood.

Disclaimer: Turquoise should not be used instead of regular medical treatment, but in addition to these treatments. Always seek professional help when dealing with health related problems.

For more articles on turquoise gemstones please visit this page: Turquoise: Gemstone of the Peoples

The modern birthstone for March is the light-blue aquamarine. So the choice in buying a birthstone is fairly limited when just looking at the modern birthstones.

However if you take a look at the traditional birthstones some excellent options are added. Because the traditional birthstones for March are bloodstone and jasper. Jasper in particular can be found in a wide range of colors.

Aquamarine: The most popular birthstone of March

The soft blue-green color and excellent gemstone properties have made aquamarines is the most popular birthstone of March.

If you were born in December and are looking for a birthstone you are in luck. Because there is not one December birthstone, but a total of four modern birthstones as well as two traditional birthstones!

Their names are turquoise, zircon, blue topaz and tanzanite. They range from cheap (turquoise and blue topaz) and affordable (zircon) to expensive (tanzanite). So there is a December birthstone for every budget.

Unfortunately all the modern birthstones of December are blue. However there’s a solution to this as well. You can take a look at one of the traditional December birthstones: ruby or bloodstone.

Turquoise

“If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate’er you do.”

Turquoise is the original modern birthstone for December. This green-blue to sky-blue  gemstone has been used as a gemstone for thousands of years. Today its popularity is increasing again, even as new gemstones are discovered.

Its unique color and low price have made it a favorite of fashion designers all over the world. Unfortunately it is relatively soft so you should handle it with care.

Zircon

Zircon can be found in many colors one of which is blue. Zircons are amazing looking stones, with high brilliance and fire. It has a higher hardness than turquoise, but they are fairly brittle.

Which means you should be careful about setting them in a normal ring. It’s best to either get them in a protective setting or only buy a zircon necklace, pendant or earrings.

Tanzanite

Only discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, tanzanite has found a place among the most treasured gemstones. The striking purple-blue color, high hardness and durability makes it an excellent gemstone for daily wear.

Tanzanite is still only found in Tanzania and there’s a good possibility that it will be completely mined out over the next two decades. Together this has made tanzanite the most expensive of the december birthstones.

Keep in mind that virtually all tanzanite on the market has been heat treated to gain its permanent blue color. So if you are looking for an all-natural gemstone I’d suggest taking a look at turquoise. As both blue topaz and blue zircon are almost always heat treated as well.

Blue Topaz

Blue topaz is another great gemstone that can be worn every day. The high hardness and durability has made it a very popular and expensive in history. Because while natural blue topaz can be found, it is very rare.

More recently however large amounts of ‘regular’ white topaz is being irradiated to permanently gain a striking blue color.

It has quickly become one of the most popular blue gemstones as its price plummeted. Blue topaz is the cheapest option if you want a clear blue faceted birthstone.

December birthstone alternatives

Ruby

The ruby is one of the traditional birthstones of December. It is known as the ‘king of gemstones’, because it is rare, beautiful, extremely durable and expensive.

Its red color will contrast nicely with the cool blue colors of the other December birthstones. Making it an excellent gemstone to add to december birthstone jewelry.

Unfortunately rubies are very expensive, a good quality 1 carat ruby will easily sell for $1,000-$5,000! Which makes it more suitable for a unique engagement ring rather than birthstone jewelry.

Bloodstone

Another traditional December birthstone is the bloodstone. A green gemstone with red spots resembling blood on it. Which is where the name bloodstone comes from. Bloodstone is an opaque gemstone (not clear) and is often cut or polished into a cabochon. Though faceted bloodstones are available in almost any shape you desire.

Bloodstones are very cheap often selling for as little as a few dollars per carat. I advise getting a polished cabochon as faceting an opaque gemstone is little more than a marketing trick. It doesn’t add to the beauty of the stone at all.

Other alternatives for a december birthstone are usually based on the color blue. They include, but are not limited to, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, blue sapphire, azurite, kyanite, iolite and benitoite.

Keep in mind that these are not official birthstones. They are just an alternative if none of the options above are to your liking.

For more articles on birthstones feel free to take a look at: Birthstones Overview

Diamond clarity is based on how included the gemstone is. Inclusions in a diamond can be another mineral or small fractures inside the diamond. This will hinder the light passing through the diamond and lower its brilliance.

Blemishes are small imperfections on the surface. They usually dull the sparkle of a diamond.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has developed an internationally accepted diamond clarity grading system that can be seen below:

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• Flawless (FL) No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification.

• Internally Flawless (IF)
  No inclusions and only minor blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification.

• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
  Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification.

• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
  Inclusions are clearly visible under 10× magnification but are considered minor.

• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
  Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10× magnification.

• Imperfect (I1, I2, and I3)
  Inclusions are visible to the naked eye and may affect transparency and brilliance. I3 diamonds are often so included that their brilliance and durability is reduced.

Other grading systems do exist (many based on the GIA grading system). However most are being used less and less. Almost all diamonds on the market are graded with the GIA diamond clarity grading system.

Virtually all diamonds sold on the market today have an SI to VVS grade clarity. Meaning that they will appear flawless unless you are a skilled gemologist using magnification. Though some SI1 and SI2 diamonds may have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.

Clarity can have a large effect on the price of a diamond. For example a VVS1 diamond can be as much as two times more expensive than a SI2 diamond. Even though both are called ‘eye clean’. The reason being that even though the inclusions and blemishes are not visible to the naked eye they still have a negative effect on the brilliance of the diamond.

What Clarity Grade Should I Buy?

If you are looking to buy a diamond you are probably wondering what clarity grade you should be buying. This of course largely depends on your budget. However you should know that the difference between a flawless diamond and an SI2 diamond is quite small.

Both grades are eye clean and the brilliance of an SI2 diamond is hardly affected by the inclusions in the diamond. Though exceptions to this rule do exist.

For the best mix between price and quality you should buy either a VS or VVS clarity diamond. While if you are on a smaller budget, or simply don’t want to spend a fortune, you should have a look at SI1 or SI2 clarity diamond.

Be sure to look around though, diamonds are a natural product and not every SI diamond is the same. It is possible to have an SI diamond with an inclusion that is visible to the naked eye. Especially when dealing with SI2 diamonds.

I would advise against buying an I grade diamond. Many people won’t notice the flaws at first sight, but if they take a closer look flaws are often very noticeable. If you insist on buying an I grade diamond at least stay away from the I3 grade. Not only will almost everyone see the flaws, they are also so included they become more fragile.

Most dealers won’t sell any diamonds below I1 grade and for good reason. If you are on a budget and are looking for an I clarity diamond for that reason I’d buy a slightly smaller diamond with SI2 or better clarity.

Diamond Clarity Enhancement

Clarity can be enhanced through several methods. One method is to fill fractures with another substance to enhance the clarity. Another method is drilling a hole with a laser to an inclusion. After that acid is used to either remove the inclusion or to change its color so it is less noticeable.

Legitimate companies will always disclose clarity enhancements. This disclosure is important because prices for clarity enhanced diamonds are far lower than those of completely natural diamonds.

If you don’t mind buying an enhanced diamond be sure to mention that when you bring your diamond ring in for repair. Because most clarity enhancement can be damaged by the heat of a jewelers torch.

Diamond Clarity Chart

Click for a larger version

For more information on diamonds take a look at these articles: Diamond Overview and Diamond Buying Guide.

Basically a glass filled ruby is a low quality ruby, often with so many fractures that it appears opaque and brown instead of red, that is filled with lead glass.

The advantages are clear, because of the addition of lead glass the clarity and color are dramatically improved. Creating a valuable looking ruby that in its natural form could not even be cut.

Unfortunately there are disadvantages as well. The main one being that it is far more fragile than a real ruby. Taking care of a glass filled ruby is far harder because a simple household cleaning product can already damage it, let alone a professional cleaning agent.

However this would not be a problem if the glass filling treatment would be properly disclosed. This is not the case, many people see an expensive looking piece of ruby jewelry and think they are getting a bargain.

When in reality they are buying a product that is not durable and certainly won’t last you a lifetime like a natural ruby.

Glass filled rubies can be found under several names on the market including, but not limited to: composite ruby, ruby with glass and hybrid ruby.

Glass filled rubies are now considered a manufactured product

Recently the GIA has classified them as a manufactured product. Because this treatment turns something that is almost worthless as a gemstone into a great looking product. This result simply cannot be called a natural product anymore.

Especially when some of these rubies have glass contents so high that if you’d remove the glass the ruby would simply fall apart.

A recent video by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) gives a great overview of why glass filled rubies are considered a large problem and how they can be identified.

The video is aimed at people in the gemstone trade, however it provides some great information that is of use to everyone interested.

In short, be aware of the existence of glass filled rubies when you’re looking to buy a real ruby or ruby jewelry. There is certainly nothing wrong with buying glass filled rubies as they often look great and are quite cheap. You just need to know that they are not very durable and the price should not be even remotely near the price of a natural ruby.

Corundum uses are based on its exceptional hardness. Its hardness is 9 on Mohs hardness scale. Which means that there are only several harder materials known to man (diamonds and moissanite for example).

Abrasives

The corundum mineral is commonly used as an abrasive. It is crushed to a powder of varying size depending on how rough the grinding stone, cutting tools or sanding paper needs to be.

A type of rock that is naturally rich in corundum is called Emery. It is the main source of corundum that is used for abrasives.

Gemstones: Rubies and Sapphires

Corundum is not something most people think of when they hear gemstones or jewelry. However it is in fact one of the most beautiful and expensive gemstones in the world.

Corundum itself is fairly common, however gemstone quality corundum is very rare. It also has amazing properties for a gemstone. Which are: high hardness, excellent clarity and it occurs in many different colors.

Red corundum has a tiny amount of chromium in it and is known as a ruby. While blue corundum has a small amount of titanium or iron present in the corundum structure and is known as a sapphire.

Other colors are usually just named ‘color’ sapphire, for example white sapphire or pink sapphire. To avoid confusion you should know that when sapphires are mentioned without a color adjective it always refers to a blue sapphire.

Recently white sapphires have gained in popularity, because it is seen as a cheap diamond substitute. Particularly suited for people who don’t want to buy a man-made gemstone like cubic zirconia or moissanite. White sapphire is simply pure corundum and occurs naturally. However a large amount of white sapphire on the market today is treated to become more clear or it is synthetic corundum created in a laboratory.

Corundum can be found in many other colors, though these are not nearly as popular as the blue, red and white corundum variants.

Aquamarines are found all over the world in good quantities, large sizes and good quality. Which makes them a very affordable gemstone.

Their excellent gemstone properties make them very suitable for jewelry and their unique color makes it even more attractive.

Many things are important when buying aquamarine, this aquamarine buying guide should help clear up what you should be looking for and what you should be wary of.

Enhancements, imitations and synthetics

Almost every aquamarine that can be found on the market today has been heat treated to improve or change its color. Because this treatment is permanent it is generally accepted in the gemstone trade. It increases the supply of high quality aquamarines, which in turn lowers the price you’ll be paying.

Be wary however when a seller claims to be selling untreated aquamarines, when their prices are the same as those of treated stones you can be sure he is either lying or simply not aware they are treated. In either case I’d leave and buy my gemstone or jewelry elsewhere.

Make sure that you are not buying a treated blue topaz or another blue gemstone. To the untrained eye it can look quite like an aquamarine but close inspection should reveal that it is a far cheaper stone.

So either bring a friend with more knowledge if you’re not sure yourself when shopping in person. Or even better, only shop at a store with a high reputation. Reputable sellers will disclose that you’re not dealing with a (natural) aquamarine, for example it will state ‘simulated aquamarine’.

True synthetic aquamarines are not found on the market, because creating them is more expensive than simply buying a real aquamarine.

The 4 C’s of aquamarines

Color: The most important aquamarine property. Faint blue aquamarines are the cheapest, blue-green is more expensive though still quite affordable. However a striking light blue color (often called sky blue) is the most prized color, not only because it looks amazing but also because it is very rare.

What color you should buy depends on your taste and budget, but the light blue variants, while cheap, are often fairly lackluster when viewed in natural light. When you are out in the sun some of them can appear nearly colorless. So in general one should go for a deeper blue-green aquamarine or a sky blue stone.

Cut: One of the most important things to look for in an aquamarine is its cut. Cut is often confused with shape, but in this case cut refers to the quality of the cutting process. A poor cut can leave the aquamarine looking dull instead of sparkly. Don’t settle for less than a good or excellent cut, if the quality of the cut is not disclosed ask the dealer about it.

Clarity: Luckily aquamarine clarity is usually very high, so you should be able to buy one with eye-clean or better clarity without breaking the bank. The only time I would buy aquamarines with less than eye-clean clarity would be when buying beads for a necklace or armband.

Carat: For most gemstones size or carat is the most important factor for its value. However, because aquamarines can be found in larger sizes this is not the case here. The price per carat for an aquamarine of 30 carats is perhaps a third higher than the price per carat of a 1 carat aquamarine.

Price of aquamarine gemstones

The price of an unheated very light blue aquamarine is around $90/carat. A light blue-green or green-blue aquamarine sells for $180-$240/carat. The prized medium to strong sky blue aquamarines sell for $550-$600/carat making it quite expensive.

The heated aquamarines that are found on the market today are light to strong greenish-blue and sell for around $180/carat. Not exactly cheap, but still far cheaper than for example rubies and diamonds.

Where should I buy aquamarine jewelry or gemstones?

Aquamarines are sold in a large number of places, often in a breathtaking amount of variations. A good place to shop for aquamarines is Amazon.com they offer more than 17,000! pieces of aquamarine jewelry for every budget. Your local jeweler should have a nice selection as well, but be sure to shop around as prices can vary wildly.

Please make sure you are buying what you think you are buying. Be aware that things like ‘aquamarine CZ’, ‘simulated aquamarine’, ‘aquamarine cubic zirconia’ and ‘Swarovski aquamarine’ are not real aquamarines. There is nothing wrong with buying them. As they often look amazing and are cheap. However you should aware of it so you don’t have any nasty surprises later on.

As always, when in doubt contact the dealer or someone knowledgeable with your questions. If you don’t like the answers (or they don’t answer at all) look elsewhere. There are plenty of other places where you can find aquamarine jewelry and gemstones.

For more articles on aquamarine gemstones please visit this page: Aquamarine Gemstones: Jewels of the Sea

Aquamarines are a gem quality variant of Beryl. Known and prized for its striking blue-green colours it’s no wonder it was once believed they were a treasure of mermaids.

Even the word itself links back to the sea: aqua marina in Latin means “water of the sea”.

Aquamarine stones are currently in the favor of designers all over the world, because the blue gemstone complements almost any type of skin and outfit. They can be found in large quantities and in all sizes making it easy to find the right stone to make their next masterpiece.

Aquamarine is a fairly common variant of beryl, almost all mines that produce normal colorless beryl also produce at least small quantities of aquamarine stones.

There are mining operations in the US, Brazil and Sri Lanka. Many other gem producing countries such as Madagascar and Tanzania also produce small amounts of aquamarine crystals.

The biggest aquamarine that was ever found weighed an astonishing 110kg and had a diameter of 42cm and was over 48cm long! It was found in Brazil in 1910. The largest cut aquamarine is known as Dom Pedro and weighs in at almost 25kg and is displayed in museums all over the world.

Aquamarine is the modern birthstone of March.

Aquamarine properties

Iron (Fe²⁺) is the cause of the blue aquamarine color, which can be surprising as iron is usually associated with brown or yellow tones. When both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ iron ions are present in the crystal the color changes to dark blue. This type of aquamarine is called maxixe, not to be confused with the Brazilian dance.

Because aquamarine is a variant of beryl it is an excellent gemstone. It has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on Mohs hardness scale. Due to its (virtual) lack of cleavage it is very hard to chip which together with its hardness makes it possible to wear it every day.

Aquamarine history

Because this precious gemstone was associated with water legend has it that sailors wore pieces of an aquamarine stone to keep them safe. Later during the Middle Ages it was widely known as a healing stone that could help against poisoning and when worn by a woman it promised a good marriage. Even today there are cultures where aquamarines are symbols of health and youth.

Aquamarine uses

Aquamarines are used in gemstone therapy and prized for its healing properties in some circles. But other than its use as a gemstone there are no other known industrial uses.

For more articles on aquamarine gemstones please visit this page: Aquamarine Gemstones: Jewels of the Sea

Jasper is an opaque chalcedony that is mostly found in red to brown colors, though yellow, blue and green can be found as well.

It has been used as a stone of protection for thousands of years. It has many benefits, but is most known for its ability to instill confidence, courage and its use as a worry stone.

Red Jasper Metaphysical Properties

Because red jasper stones instilled confidence and courage it was known as a warrior’s stone. Today it’s mostly used as a worry stone, the ability to give confidence and courage especially helps those with fear of embarrassing themselves when speaking in public.

A simple small stone or pebble should work, though you could get it set in a necklace to be able to wear it on your skin at all times.It can also be useful for those who worry too much when starting something new, such as a new job.

You should simply touch it when you need that bit of extra confidence. Because jasper works better when touched.

Jasper is usually associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus. It’s chakra is the root chakra. Jasper is the traditional birthstone of March (along with the bloodstone) because it was one of the stones in the breastplate of Aaron.

Red Jasper Legends and Myths

In ancient times it was believed that jasper stones would protect you from evil and bites from poisonous animals like spiders and snakes.

Red Jasper Healing Properties

Because jasper stones are usually red their healing properties are focused on the blood and related organs, such as the heart and liver. Jasper works best when touched, so you should place the stone of the part of the body that is troubled.

In gemstone therapy it is used to stimulate sexual energy and fertility, though usually a mix of different jasper colors is used (such as blue jasper, yellow jasper and green jasper) not just red stones.

Disclaimer: Red jasper should not be used instead of regular medical treatment, but in addition to these treatments. Always seek professional help when dealing with health related problems.