semi-precious – Artful Gems

Topaz, November’s Birthstone

Posted on November 3, 2018November 4, 2018 by Artful Gems

Topaz is November’s birthstone. Use the blue variety to celebrate the fourth wedding anniversary. It is a colorless gem that has aluminum fluoro-hydroxy silicate. Impurities may vary the intensity of color. Most of the gems are wine, yellow, pale gray, reddish-orange, or blue brown. Blue Topaz does occur in nature, but is rare and almost Read More

Opals for Me

Posted on October 8, 2018October 13, 2018 by Artful Gems

Opal Amy Lowell, 1874 – 1925 You are ice and fire, The touch of you burns my hands like snow. You are cold and flame. You are the crimson of Amaryllis, The silver of moon-touched magnolias. When I am with you, My heart is a frozen pond Gleaming with agitated torches. In the eighth grade, a close classmate, Read More

Sapphires

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Artful Gems

The month of September brings along many things that are important to me. School is back in session and leaves begin to yellow, signaling the beginning of my second favorite season, Fall. Most importantly, my oldest daughter is a September child. And, the Sapphire is the gem for the month. I am very fond of Read More

Peridot Is August

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Artful Gems

Peridot is the birthstone for August and the 15th anniversary gemstone. The ancient Egyptians mined it on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, and called it the gem of the sun. It is one of the few gemstones in only one color. It is the lime green tone that is most recognized. Some believed it Read More

Ruby the Star of July

Posted on July 1, 2018June 18, 2018 by Artful Gems

This month, the Ruby takes center stage. It is the birthstone for the month of July and the gem for the 15th and 40th anniversaries. Ruby Is a Star Ruby is the most valuable variety of the corundum mineral species, which also includes Sapphires and can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone. Read More

The Journey Is Life

Posted on June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 by Artful Gems

When I began my jewelry journey, I was going through a rough period in my life. I had just spent several weeks in the hospital and family life was not going well. It was one of those tests our Creator sends out. It all started as a stress relief; a way to get away from Read More