Hidden Gems: Uncovering Nature's Underappreciated Treasures

While sapphires, emeralds, and rubies hold celebrity status in the world of gemstones, we're here to dive deeper into the hidden gems we touched on in our last blog that deserve equal appreciation. As a custom jeweler, we pride ourselves on educating our customers throughout the entire custom process. Still, we want to take it a step further to help bring a broader understanding of these precious stones. Join us as we shine a light on nature's unsung treasures.

The mystical sheen of moonstone originates from its unique structural composition. It contains layers of feldspar (a rock-forming mineral) that refract light to produce an ethereal, billowy schiller effect. These gems form when molten lava cools rapidly, trapping alkali feldspars in alternating orientations. Found across the world, from Sri Lanka to Mexico, moonstones exhibit a dreamy quality unlike any other gem.

Alexandrite owes its color-changing ability to trace chromium impurities within its chrysoberyl composition. These green gems form when chromium chemically replaces aluminum in beryl's crystal lattice structure. Discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, alexandrite shifts from green to raspberry red under different lighting due to chromium's selective absorption. This chameleon effect dazzled early gem aficionados.

Vibrant Spinel

Think you've seen rubies in every vivid shade? Look closer—it may be spinel! Spinel crystallizes in the cubic system, allowing a more vivid transmission of light compared to ruby's hexagonal structure. Spinel forms in high-temperature metamorphic rock, where trace elements transmit spectacular hues ranging from flaming reds to shocking pinks. Although it often gets confused with ruby, its refractive brilliance deserves appreciation.

There are a plethora of stunning gemstones that we simply can't end the learning here. Stay tuned to learn more about how opals captivate with their play of rainbow colors, how amethyst dazzles in various hues of purple, and how garnet demands attention with its depth in color. In the meantime, make sure to take a peek at what we have to offer online, visit us in person to browse our selection, or set up an appointment to start your custom jewelry journey!