Cubic Zirconia  is a synthetic gemstone that very closely resembles diamonds.  Because of its startling diamond-like appearance and inexpensive price tag, cubic zirconia is a highly popular gemstone used most frequently in jewelry such as rings, earrings, bracelets and pendants.  Although cubic zirconia is synthetic, it is inspired by its natural counterpart, zirconium oxide (ZrO2), first discovered in 1892 but too rare to be commercially profitable.  Through a series of separate experiments by German and Soviet scientists, zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide were eventually melted together at temperatures reaching 4,982ºF (2,750ºC) to grow cubic zirconia crystals in the laboratory.

Cubic zirconia  is crystalline, flawless, and clear enough to rate a "D" on the diamond scale for clarity.  Though usually colorless, it can also be made in nearly any color, including soft yellow, characteristic of some diamonds.  Cubic zirconia sparkles brighter than crystal and is harder than most gems, making it very durable. It also weighs about 65% more than diamond.  However, if there is an obvious difference between the two to the untrained eye, it is that cubic zirconia has a higher dispersion rate than diamond.

In the case of gemstones, dispersion refers to the ability of a mineral to split light into separate wavelengths, creating prism-like colors or "fire."  Because cubic zirconia has a higher dispersion rate than diamond, when light shines on cubic zirconia, it brilliantly sparkles with many different colors refracted in its crystalline structure. Though very attractive, it "outshines" a diamond in this sense, potentially giving itself away.  Efforts continue to be made by some manufacturers of cubic zirconia to render the gem even more diamond-like.  It is already so close in appearance that, in some instances, a jeweler's loop is necessary to tell it from a high-quality diamond.

While a cubic zirconia wedding band might not have the same "ring" as diamond, it is a great alternative for affordable, yet beautiful jewelry.  Perhaps the best person to buy a cubic zirconia gift for is you.  Splurge on the "diamond" ring you've always wanted, or that beautiful bracelet.  You can wear it out on the town without worrying about its dollar value, but still looking like a million bucks.

Garnetsare a group of minerals that come in an array of colors.  Most people are familiar with the almandine garnet, which is deep red in color.  While almandine is common in jewelry, many do not realize that this is only one of over ten varieties mined throughout the world.  There are also mixtures of varieties, including some color-changing types that are the only known garnets to come in blue tones.

Garnets  are commonly composed of minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium and aluminum.  Presence of other minerals like chromium or titanium can significantly affect color.  Garnets in any color have a hardness of 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs Scale.  Though beautiful, care must be taken with these stones, and wearers should probably remove garnet jewelry before engaging in household chores.

Since garnets are fairly common, they are an excellent choice for those watching their pocket books.  With multiple colors to choose from, a good quality stone can be selected for virtually any jewelry requirement.

Today, red garnets are the birthstone of January.  Since garnets can be found in so many places, folklore concerning them is abundant.  They are associated with healing, and some ancient cultures believed garnets could actually reduce inflammation.  Garnets are thought to elevate mood and give the wearer strength and protection during troubled times.  They also signify affection when exchanged between friends, and promise that those two friends will not be parted for long.

Moonstone  is a type of feldspar, the most abundant mineral group in the crust of the Earth.  Feldspar is primarily composed of silicates of aluminum with traces of other minerals such as sodium and calcium.  When feldspar forms with potassium and attains a translucent, pearly appearance, it is known as a moonstone.  The name of the moonstone comes from the resemblance it has to the moon, and moonstones have been used in jewelry, especially for women, for centuries.

Several parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, have deposits of moonstone.  Moonstone  is classified as an orthoclase, meaning that it forms around volcanic and hydrothermal deposits, and has a translucent appearance, along with a shimmering luster.  Moonstone  is a type of orthoclase known as adularia, after the Adela Mountains of Switzerland, where the stone is abundantly distributed.  Adularia crystallizes at a low temperature, and when it takes the form of an opalescent stone, it is classified as a moonstone.

When found in the rough, a moonstone is not an impressive sight.  A skilled stone cutter must bring out the luminous appearance of the stone, which must be cut with care.  Typically, moonstones are cut in the form of a cabochon, a rounded and polished cut which lacks facets.  The cabochon can take any form, although teardrop, round, and oval cabochons are all common.  If cut properly, the stone will shimmer and flow, exhibiting a property called adularescence, after the family of rock that moonstones come from.

All moonstones possess a bluish to white hue, although the base color of the stone can be clear, white, yellow, orange, or gray.  A moonstone must be handled with care, because moonstones are soft and brittle.  If mishandled, they can scratch or break easily, although small scratches can be repaired with refinishing, which will reduce the overall size of the moonstone.  Most moonstone jewelry is designed to protect the stone while showcasing its adularescent quality, and wearers of moonstones should make sure that they are well seated in their mountings.

Although appropriate in men’s jewelry, moonstone appears more often in pieces designed for women.  Large moonstone cabochons can be used in necklaces and bracelets, while smaller stones are used in earrings and rings.  Moonstone can be gently wiped with a soft cloth, and oiled if it loses luster, but avoid exposing it to excessive light and harsh chemicals, and remove moonstone jewelry to prevent it from being submerged with you bathe or clean.

Peridots  are yellow-green gems, enjoyed by many.  They may also be called precious olivine.

Peridots  are sometimes confused with emeralds because of their coloring.  The distinction is simple, though. Emeralds range in color from green to dark green, with blue undertones.  Peridots  always have a touch of yellow in their coloring, and are generally lighter in color.  However, peridots  are sometimes referred to as evening emeralds, as their color appears darker at night.

Peridots  can be found in a number of places throughout the world.  They are mined in areas surrounding the Red Sea, Egypt, and Myanmar, but also are common to areas of Mexico.  In the US, some can be found in Arizona.  These gems are usually less valuable than peridots found in the Middle East because they contain more flaws. The highest quality gems are currently being mined in Pakistan.

Peridot   is a combination of two minerals, forsterite and fayalite, and is colored by the presence of iron. It is softer than many other gems, having a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs Scale.  This hardness is still significant and makes peridot  a nice choice in jewelry.

With new findings of peridots  in Pakistan, the gem is enjoying a rise in popularity.  It has always enjoyed certain popularity, being the August birthstone. Many people again confuse emeralds and peridots  when choosing birthstones.  Emeralds are the birthstones of May.  Those who are not particular, however, could wear either green stone as a birthstone, and some find the bluer tendencies of the emerald to be more flattering depending upon skin tone.

Peridots  are certainly attractive and have been thought so by many cultures throughout history.  In Hawaii, where peridots  can also be found, they are sometimes called Pele’s tears.  Ancient Egyptian jewelry contains peridot as well. In gem folklore, those who wear peridots   may be accorded both good luck and peace.  It is also said that these gems can reduce nightmares and repel evil spirits.

Rubies, the birthstone of July, are precious gemstones composed of corundum, chromium bonded with aluminum oxide.  Corundum comes in a variety of colors, but when it is red, it is always a ruby.  Blue or pink varieties of corundum are always referred to as sapphires; though some disputes exist about whether pink sapphire is merely a lighter colored ruby.

Most rubies are mined in Myanmar, formerly Burma, and other parts of Asia and Africa.  Some high quality rubies have recently been found in Kenya.  A few US states, Montana and the Carolinas, have also discovered rubies, but most of the best gems are found in Myanmar.

Next to diamonds, rubies are the hardest gems, with a 9 rating on the Mohs Scale.  Their hardness makes them ideal for jewelry of all kinds, because one does not have to be especially careful when wearing them. Shade of red varies, but the most desirable rubies are deep red, sometimes called pigeon’s blood.  Lighter variations can make for lovely stones and are less expensive.

Various cultures have referred to the value of rubies. In Proverbs 31:10, a virtuous wife’s worth is “far above rubies.” “Rubies” has also been translated as pearls, jewels, and precious stones, depending on the source. Aryuvedic traditions believe these gems strengthen the heart, restore balance in both love and spiritual relationships, and help to prevent miscarriages.

Modern ruby lore suggests that the man who gives a woman an engagement ring with a ruby expresses passionate love.  The blood red color of rubies symbolizes the heart. Hence, rubies are today the stone most associated with love.

Sapphire is a precious stone or gem that is a form of corundum, a hard mineral of aluminum oxide.  Sapphire is prized for its translucent beauty. It is the focal point of many pieces of fine jewelry.  Sapphires can be set in pendants, rings, earrings, brooches and tiaras.

Sapphire is usually thought of as a deep blue gem.  However, sapphire is found in many different shades of blue, as well as many other colors.  Sapphires that are any color other than blue are called fancy sapphires. Fancy sapphires can be orange, yellow, green, pink, or purple.  Red sapphires are called rubies.

A very unusual type of sapphire is called the star sapphire.  Star sapphires produce the appearance of a six point star that is the result of tiny crystal inclusions in the stone.  The symmetry and balance of the star, along with the shade and translucence of the stone, make for a more perfect star sapphire.  Star sapphires are very valuable because of their rarity.

Sapphires are found buried in the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia and South America.  Growing in hard crystal clusters, they are laboriously mined and then turned over to a cutter.  Sapphires are second only to diamonds in their hardness, which makes them easy to care for and virtually indestructible.

A skilled cutter gives sapphires their individual shapes and meticulously works to bring out their optimum reflective potential through the cut.  Before a sapphire reaches the hands of a cutter, it hardly resembles the end product that we see and prize.  A sapphire in the raw appears cloudy or solid, dull and common.

Sapphires   are a favorite choice for engagement rings because of the emotions associated with them. Sapphire is symbolic of love, permanence, loyalty and trust.  Sapphire is also the birthstone for those born in September, which provides even more sentiment to an already beautiful piece of jewelry.

Sapphires   are also thought to have healing properties.  They are used to heal or relieve arthritis, swelling and painful conditions that affect the joints and muscles.  Sapphires are also thought to ease mental illnesses and abdominal discomforts.

Throughout history, sapphires have been used to enhance physic powers, and to assist in clairvoyance and the ability to move objects with the mind.  They were also believed to promote telepathic powers, the ability to communicate through thought.  This might explain why sapphire is a favorite among lovers!

Topaz is a precious gemstone that is most often amber in color.  Topaz that is pure is colorless, but additions of minerals create the typical yellow hue.  Degree of yellows can vary, some leaning toward brown while others are more greenish.  The most desirable of the topaz stones, however, is the Imperial Topaz, which is brown with peach undertones.

Several treatments can significantly affect the color of the topaz. When exposed to heat, the color becomes either pink to red.  Blue topaz is the result of irradiation of the stone, and these gems have become quite popular in recent years.  A recently patented form of the stone, called the Mystic Fire Topaz, involves first irradiating the stone to achieve the blue color, and then coating the stone with chemicals to cause a multi-colored affect.

Though now primarily mined in South America and Mexico, topaz was prized by ancient civilizations as well, and was available throughout Europe and Africa.  However, most yellow stones, whether they were citrine or topaz, were called topaz by the Ancient Greeks.  This tradition continued until about 100 years ago, when the stones were more properly classified.

Egyptians believed the color of topaz in its natural form came directly from the Sun God Ra.  The wearer of topaz was said to have keen sight, and also to be protected from evil spirits.  The gem was also heralded as promoting good health and a serene mind.

Today, topaz is the birthstone of November, and also connects to the astrological sign of Sagittarius.  The Imperial Topaz, peachy brown in color and highly prized, is associated with royalty.  It is the traditional gift of jewelry for celebrating 23rd wedding anniversaries as well.

Even when treated, topaz retains a hardness of approximately 8 on the Mohs scale.  This makes the stone excellent for everyday wear, though wearers should remove topaz jewelry when doing any hard physical labor. Because of the way the stone in rough form crystallizes, it is most often available in emerald and pear cuts. Other cuts may not be available in larger sizes.

Topaz  will not make you invisible as the Ancient Greeks believed, but will in fact accomplish the opposite.  A large topaz stone seeming to hold the sun within itself cannot fail to be noticed by others.  Blue topaz, as well, like blue ocean water caught in a gem, creates a beautiful look that will surely be enjoyed.

Tourmaline  is a striking gemstone, available in a plethora of colors.  Many are familiar with pink tourmaline, but the stones can also be blue, bi-color, colorless, chrome, or green.  One prized formation is the watermelon tourmaline, which is generally round and has green, white, and red layers, resembling a cut watermelon.  Some stones are cut to display their multi-colors.  Emerald cuts of tourmaline displaying chrome, clear and green tones together are particularly desirable.

Deposits of tourmaline are mined in Africa and Brazil.  Tourmaline is a chemical combination of primarily silicate, boron, and aluminum.  Color variations may be partly the response of additional chemical bonds that may exist with sodium, iron, or magnesium.  The crystal formation of tourmaline is one of the most complicated.

Depending on the molecular structure, tourmaline has a hardness on the Mohs Scale of 6.5 to 7.  The harder stones are good for everyday wear, but rings with tourmaline should probably be removed if one is doing any heavy work with the hands, as stones can crack.  Resin may coat the stones, and some pink stones may be heated to produce the colorless variety.  However, the colorless variety is the least valued, so pink is preferable.

Because of the play of colors in tourmaline stones, jewelers enjoy designing unique settings for them.  No two tourmalines are alike.  They vary in quality as well, and are evaluated based on inclusions, or flaws.  The stones with the least flaws are most expensive, but tourmaline is not generally an expensive stone.

First described in the 16th century, tourmaline lore suggests that the stones promote healing.  They are also supposed to foster greater joy in recreation and in work, giving the wearer the ability to play well and work constructively.  While these properties may not be well proved, the sight of these beautiful gems is certain to give the wearer great satisfaction.