jewel

Birthstone for July 23rd: Watermelon Tourmaline Description of Watermelon Tourmaline Watermelon Tourmaline is one of the most captivating and colorful varieties of tourmaline, renowned for its striking pink and green coloration that resembles the vibrant hues of a watermelon. This gemstone typically features a rich pink center with a green outer layer, forming a beautiful and harmonious contrast that makes it highly sought after by gem collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike....

Birthstone for July 22nd: Flower Obsidian Description of Flower Obsidian Flower Obsidian is a unique variety of obsidian, a natural volcanic glass that forms when molten lava cools rapidly. What sets Flower Obsidian apart is its distinctive floral-like patterns, which are created by spherulites—tiny crystalline inclusions that grow within the glassy matrix. These patterns often appear as light or cream-colored blooms against a dark black or brown background, giving the stone a striking and artistic appearance....

Birthstone for July 21st: Blue Jasper Description of Blue Jasper Blue Jasper is a striking gemstone that belongs to the larger family of jasper, a variety of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline form of quartz. This stone is particularly valued for its calming shades of blue, which range from light, almost pastel hues to deeper, more vibrant tones. Known for its smooth texture and rich colors, Blue Jasper can feature unique patterns and inclusions that enhance its aesthetic appeal....

Birthstone for July 20th: Aquamarine Cat’s-eye Description of Aquamarine Cat’s-eye Aquamarine Cat’s-eye is a mesmerizing gemstone known for its captivating optical effect, often referred to as the “chatoyancy” effect. The term “Cat’s-eye” describes a phenomenon in which a narrow, bright, and moving line appears on the surface of the gem, resembling the slit-pupil of a cat’s eye. This effect is created by the alignment of fibrous inclusions within the stone that reflect light in a way that gives it a luminous, glowing line across its surface....

Birthstone for July 19th: Hydrothermal Rhodochrosite Description of Hydrothermal Rhodochrosite Hydrothermal rhodochrosite is a striking gemstone known for its vibrant pink to red hues, which are often marked by beautiful banding patterns that resemble the swirling colors of a sunset. This gem belongs to the carbonate mineral group, primarily composed of manganese carbonate (MnCO3). While rhodochrosite occurs naturally in many forms, hydrothermal rhodochrosite is produced through a specific process that allows for its unique and highly attractive banding....

Birthstone for July 18th: Labradorite Feldspar Description of Labradorite Feldspar Labradorite, a captivating member of the feldspar family, is renowned for its stunning play of color known as labradorescence. This optical phenomenon causes flashes of blue, green, yellow, and even red to appear as light reflects off the stone’s surface. The phenomenon is the result of light diffraction within the stone’s complex internal structure, where layers of feldspar minerals with varying refractive indices create a mesmerizing array of colors....

Birthstone for July 17th: Aventurine Description of Aventurine Aventurine is a striking, translucent variety of quartz that is known for its shimmering, sparkling appearance. This “adventurous” gemstone gets its name from the Italian word avventurina, meaning “by chance,” which refers to the accidental discovery of the stone’s sparkling effect while making glass. The shimmering effect is known as aventurescence, a unique optical phenomenon caused by the inclusion of tiny mineral inclusions, such as mica or hematite, within the crystal structure....

Birthstone for July 16th: Azurite Description of Azurite Azurite is a striking and vibrant blue mineral, known for its deep, rich hue that ranges from a vibrant azure blue to a darker, almost navy shade. A copper carbonate mineral, Azurite forms from the weathering of copper ore deposits, often in combination with malachite, another copper-based mineral. The mineral itself is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of about 3.5 to 4, making it easy to carve but also susceptible to scratching and wear....

Birthstone for July 15th: Black Calcite Description of Black Calcite Black Calcite is a mesmerizing variety of the calcite family, known for its deep, opaque black color. This stone, like other calcites, has a smooth, slightly waxy texture and often displays subtle striations along its surface. Black Calcite is often found in massive or granular forms, though it can also appear as crystalline aggregates in some regions. As with all calcite, Black Calcite is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of around 3, making it easy to carve and polish....

Birthstone for July 14th: Three Color Fluorite Description of Three Color Fluorite Three Color Fluorite is a truly stunning gemstone known for its striking multicolored bands that can display three distinct colors in one stone. These vibrant bands often include shades of purple, green, and blue, though variations can include yellow, clear, and even pink hues. Fluorite, in general, is a relatively soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4, making it perfect for carving and creating intricate designs....