Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstones

The ruby is one of the four precious gemstones that is found in many different shades of red. Tin Latin, ruby means “red.” In the past, the glowing red color prompted the belief that a fire burned within its heart. A book written during the 1300s said “Fine ruby is the lord of all stones. It is the gem of gems and surpasses all precious stones in virtue.” Medieval Europeans believed the ruby could guarantee a successful love life, wealth, and wisdom. The ruby is extremely hard, and second only to the diamond in hardness. The ruby is one of the four precious stones, along with sapphire, emerald, and diamond. Mohs scale of hardness: 9

An emerald can range in color from light to dark green. It is said that Cleopatra loved her emerald jewelry the best and it is easy to see why. During medieval times, people believed that you could put an emerald under your tongue and the gemstone would give you the ability to see the future. Emerald’s lush green color is said to symbolize fertility and life. In ancient Rome and Greece, the emerald was said to represent the goddess of hope and love, Venus. Emeralds from Columbia are generally considered the most valuable. Mohs scale of hardness: 7.5 - 8

Not just for bridal jewelry, the diamond is the hardest and considered the most brilliant of all gemstones. This gemstone’s name comes from the Greek word “adamas” meaning unconquerable and indestructible. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that diamonds were the tears that were cried by the gods. The diamond has evolved from representing faithfulness and purity to its modern representation as the stone of marriage and commitment. Diamonds are credited with the power to grant their owners enduring love, strength, and success. In addition, many ancient cultures believed that diamonds held such power of protection that some kings wore diamonds with their armor as they entered battle. Mohs scale of hardness: 10

Prized for its durability, the sapphire is one of the four precious gemstones. Considered a stone of truth, the sapphire is connected to royalty throughout history. Kings and queens used to wear sapphires to provide protection from treachery. Sapphire is from the Greek word sapphires, meaning blue stone. Although blue is the most well-known color for sapphires, sapphires are made up of any color of corundum except for red, which are rubies. Mohs scale of hardness: 9

Aquamarine, from Latin “aqua marina” or “water of the sea” and was used by sailors as a defense against ocean dangers. Apart from just protection, this stone was said to provide safe travel by boat and aid in good luck for catching fish. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin word for seawater. Also said to reduce stress and give peace of mind, in some stories the aquamarine gemstone was a treasure protected by mermaids. In the U.S., Aquamarine can be found in central Colorado and Wyoming. Mohs scale of hardness: 7.5 - 8

Said to encourage calmness, the amethyst ranges in hues from light to dark purple. Its color has long been associated with royalty and amethyst gemstones appear in crown jewels ranging from ancient to modern times. Because of its purple color, the ancient Greeks associated this gemstone with Dionysus, the God of wine. It was believed that amethyst could prevent drunkenness. The word amethysts meant “not drunk” in ancient Greek and it is credited for giving amethyst gemstones their name. Diverse cultures associate the amethyst gemstone with courage, royalty, and peace. Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, and ranges in color from light to deep purple. Mohs scale of hardness: 7

The Four Precious Gemstones: Diamond, Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire

Listed here are a few of the more common semi-precious gems we showcase at Ingrid's Jewelers

Topaz comes in a multitude of colors. Blue topaz is portrayed as a gemstone with an abundance of peacefulness, calming to the emotions, and ideal for meditation and connecting with spiritual beings. It flaunts a light blue shade reminiscent of a refreshing December sky. This December birthstone represents eternal love, faithfulness, and loyalty. It is a natural magnifier of psychic abilities, assisting those who wish to attune to inner guidance, as well as those who serve others through readings or spiritual healing. Mohs scale of hardness: 8

According to ancient Chinese legend, the citrine gemstone was reserved for generous people only and it was named “The Stone of Success.” The stone’s yellow/orange color is associated with cheerfulness and lightheartedness. During the Middle Ages, this birthstone was known as “the merchant’s stone” and was believed to bring prosperity and wealth to those who wore it. For hundreds of years, citrine has been credited with the ability to remove negative energy. Carrying the power of the sun, it is warm and comforting, energizing and life giving. It stimulates the chakras like the sunlight of spring, clearing the mind and stirring the soul to action. Mohs scale of hardness: 7

Signifying trust, lifelong friendship, loyalty, and passion, the garnet is most commonly seen in a dark red but is also available in a variety of hues including pink, green, orange, and yellow. The garnet is so resistant that it is seen throughout history. The Egyptians referred to this gem as the symbol of life. Some ancient cultures used to place the garnet directly into wounds to activate its alleged healing powers. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word Garanatus which means “seedlike.” This is a reference to the garnet’s likeness to the pomegranate. Garnet is mostly mined in Southeast Asia, Brazil, and Africa. Occurring in every color except blue, the garnet is a versatile stone, appropriate for a multitude of applications and occasions. Mohs scale of hardness: 6.5 - 7.5

Nearly all of the world's opal is from Australia. Opals are truly loved because each stone features such a variety of colors. They are considered otherworldly because they have also been found on Mars. According to Middle Eastern folklore, the array of colors present in the stone are said to be born from lightning. The ancient Greeks believed that opals provided them the gift of prophecy. Strangely enough, this gem was also thought to preserve the color and life of blonde hair. Opals fluctuate in color and are often multi-colored. The most valuable is black. Mohs scale of hardness: 5.5 - 6.5

A pearl is form when a mollusk, such as an oyster or mussel, secretes layers of nacre, or mother-of-pearl, around an irritant that enters its shell. This process is a natural defense mechanism to protect the mollusk from the irritant. Pearl is a gem that requires no cutting or polishing. It's one of the few gemstones classified as organic, meaning it's created by a living thing. Pearls occur in a variety of colors, and color is an important factor in pearl grading. Pearl color is described as the combination of bodycolor and overtone. Bodycolor is the pearl's primary color, which are primarily white and cream. Overtones are translucent, overlying colors that are visible when light reflects off the pearl's surface. Overtones alter the bodycolor and add depth and glow to the pearl. A pearl's overtones are usually pink, green, purple or blue. Mohs scale of hardness: 2.5 - 4.5

Tanzanite is one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. This precious trichroic gemstone, which showcases vivid violet-blue-reddish colors, belongs to the zoisite family and is found exclusively at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Northern Tanzania, where it gets its name. The supply of tanzanite is limited, and hence, owning a piece makes every customer a custodian of this rare gem. The name reflects the gem’s limited geographic origin. Mohs scale of hardness: 6.5 - 7

At Ingrid's Jewelers, we showcase many more popular gemstones, to include Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl, Citrine, Jadeite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Morganite, Onyx, Peridot, Rhodolite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Spinel, Star Sapphire, Tanzanite, Tiger’s Eye, Tourmaline, Tsavorite Garnet, Turquoise, and Zircon.

Stop in an see us today, and the widest selection in the area.