Laurie’s Blog
Emerald is the green to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl, a mineral species that also includes aquamarine, morganite and heliodor. Beryl has the hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. However, most emeralds are highly included so their toughness, or resistance to breakage, is considered generally poor. Purchasing a fine gem of an emerald can be a rewarding investment as long as you buy a certified gem from a trusted source, and build a sturdy, beautiful piece of jewelry around it.
Stacking Rings in white, yellow, and rose gold with cognac and white diamonds. Diamond, being the hardest mineral on earth, symbolizes your everlasting promise.
Our jewelry is manufactured in our workshop in the Berkshires. We also have the largest collection of fine gemstones gallery in the Berkshires.
Diamond is extremely durable and suitable for all jewelry including rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. As a result, diamond is the most frequently used gemstone in engagement rings and wedding jewelry. These items may even be passed on through generations. Call us for a free consultation if you have inherited a beautiful gemstone. Let us create a piece to your taste which you can appreciate.
Diamond is April’s Birthstone and the gem that marks the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. It is 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, the hardest mineral on earth, making it the best gemstone for jewelry, especially rings. It’s no wonder Diamond has been promoted as being “forever”.
Diamond forms under high temperature and presure conditions that exist only within a specific depth range (about 100 miles) beneath the earth’s surface. Diamond’s crystal structure is isometric, which means the carbon atoms are bonded in essentially the same way in all directions. Another mineral, graphite, also contains only carbon, but its formation process and crystal structure are very different. The result is that graphite is so soft that you can write with it, while diamond is so hard that you can only scratch it with another diamond.
Aquamarine. March Birthstone, 19th Wedding Anniversary, Folklore Galore for this gem crystal!
Affordable finely cut loose gemstones are available for purchase and for custom designed jewelry. See the largest collection of colored gemstones in the Berkshires on display in our Lenox Gallery.
Aquamarine is 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs Hardness scale making it extremely durable and suitable for all jewelry including rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets.
Shown here is a cushion-cut aquamarine with a black Tahitian pearl drop pendant.
Loose Aquamarine Gemstones available for purchase by collectors or for special orders.
Aquamarine, famous for its sea blue colors, comes from the mineral Beryl, the same family as Emerald. The name “aquamarine” is derived from two Latin words; aqua, meaning “water”, and marine, meaning “of the sea.” Major sources of aquamarine include Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Pakistan, and the US.
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. Aquamarine stones are beautiful crystals that heighten courage when you are handling grief, aid clear communication, and are a powerful assistance to self-healing. It has been said that the mineral beryl gives the wearer protection against foes in battle or litigation. It makes the wearer unconquerable and amiable, and also quickens the intellect.
Amethyst; royal purple, February Birthstone, 6th Wedding Anniversary, and interesting folk lore. Affordable finely cut loose gemstones are available for purchase and for custom designed jewelry. The largest collection of colored gemstones in the Berkshires on display in our Lenox Gallery.
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz. It is the birthstone for February and for the 6th wedding anniversary. It is relatively inexpensive, yet durable enough for use in many types of jewelry. It is 7 on the Mohs Hardness scale.
Did you know that amethyst is a meditative and calming stone? It works in the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes to promote calm, balance, and peace.
Did you know that amethyst is used in crystal healing to help heal personal losses and grief?
Did you know that amethyst is known as the sobriety stone and used by the ancient Greeks to prevent drunkenness? As such it assists in getting rid of addictions to alcohol, drugs, smoking, and other destructive compulsive behaviors.
Given all these attributes it’s understandable why amethyst is so popular. We have two more; it’s beautiful and it’s affordable.