Famous Gems

RUBY

Cut: Should be placed symmetrically and be smooth without lines or pits. All facets should meet without any waviness.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Love

Tips: The brightest and most valuable red, called blood-red, is more expensive than other rubies of similar quality.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

PEARL

Best crafted in: White gold or on its own.

Represents: Wealth and health.

Tips: Do not use any harsh chemicals on your pearls. Lay them down flat and out of contact with all other pieces of jewelry.

Cleaning: Clean pearls jewelry gently with soft wet cotton. Never use a brush, as pearls can scratch easily.

BLUE SAPPHIRE

Cut: Should reflect light off of its facets, creating a brilliant sparkle.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Integrity.

Tips: It is best to closely match the color of sapphire in all of your accessories.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

DIAMOND

Cut: A diamond has three cut components: Cut Grade, Polish, and Cut Depth.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Eternity.

Tips: Should always be stored separately, as they can damage other jewelry.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

AMETHYST

Cut: Often graded using terms: Siberian, Uruguayan or Bahain; which represents high, medium and low grade respectively.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Sincerity

Tips: The brightest and most valuable red, called blood-red, is more expensive than other rubies of similar quality.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

YELLOW SAPPHIRE

Cut: A well-cut yellow sapphire will reflect light off of its facets, creating a brilliant sparkle.

Best crafted in: White gold or platinum

Represents: Integrity

Tips: Can break or scratch other gemstones, so it is best not to store them with other jewelry. Additionally, rapid temperature changes can cause the gemstone to crack.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

EMERALD

Cut: Usually cut in square or octagon shapes. Oval and round cuts are also widely available.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Happiness

Tips: Do not wear it near anything that will attract grease. These substances can accumulate on the stone, making it lose its brilliance.

Cleaning: Use water that is room temperature and a soft brush with a mild soap. Rinse in warm water and then pat dry.

GARNET

Cut: Comes in an array of shapes and sizes and can be cut in most ways.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Confidence

Tips: It should not come in contact with extreme temperatures or chemicals. Remove while gardening, washing dishes or swimming to keep it from getting scratched or damaged.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

OPAL

Best crafted in: White gold, yellow gold or platinum.

Represents: Hope and innocence.

Tips: Opals that contain red or black hues are very rare, while white, green, and blue tones are most common.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

PERIDOT

Cut: Can be cut into nearly any gem shape, including round, oval, square, pear, emerald and marquise.

Best crafted in: White gold, gold or platinum.

Represents: Harmony

Tips: Must be kept away from sudden large temperature changes and excessive heat, which can fade the color.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

TOPAZ

Cut: Two types of cuts, the perfect cut and the fancy cut. Fancy cuts rely on long, straight lines, while perfect cuts are more like diamonds with flat planes and unique angles.

Best crafted in: Complements all metals

Represents: Friendship

Tips: Can be easily split. Thus, it should be protected from hard knocks.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.

AQUAMARINE

Cut: Can be cut in numerous ways.

Best crafted in: Complements every metal

Represents: Bravery.

Tips: It is best to closely match the color of the aquamarine in all of your accessories.

Cleaning: Clean with mild detergent. Use a soft brush behind the stone where dirt and residue can collect.