Gem Stones A - F
Alexandrite
With a hardness of 8.5, alexandrite is rated “excellent” for everyday wear. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
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More expensive than diamonds, an alexandrite’s color shifts depending on the light around it. It changes between a noble green and a deep red. Color intensity and amount of change also depends on the quality of the stone.
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Alexandrite is the Birthstone for June.
Amethyst
With a hardness of 7, amethyst is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
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Amethyst can range from light purple to deep purple.
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Amethyst is the birthstone for February.
Ametrine
With a hardness of 7, ametrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
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Ametrine is a blend of amethyst and citrine. It is almost exclusively mined from a mine deep in the lowlands of Bolivia.
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Colors range from a light to medium purple mixed with a light to medium golden yellow.
Aquamarine
With a hardness between 7.5 and 8, aquamarine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
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Aquamarine is a close “cousin” to stones such as emerald and morganite. It was believed to promote youthful vitality, health, and mental clarity.
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Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.
Carnelian
Thought to promote bravery, improve public speaking and protect the wearer from envy, this smooth red stone was prized across the ancient world as well as Egypt where they show up as amulets and funeral scarabs.
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With a hardness of 6.5-7 Carnelian is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Chalcedony
With a hardness of 6.5-7, blue and lavender Chalcedony is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
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Chrysoprase is part of the chalcedony family and is the most sought after. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning “gold-green.”
Citrine
With a hardness of 7, citrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
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Citrine takes its name from the French word “citron” or lemon. It is a golden yellow quartz. It is extremely rare in nature, and most are created by heating amethyst. Color ranges from a light, slightly golden color to a medium dark golden yellow.
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Citrine is the birthstone for November.
Coral
With a hardness between 3.5 to 4, Coral is not recommended for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.
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Color ranges from a light to medium salmon, to a medium to dark orange red.
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Ancient Romans and Persians used Coral to cure madness and impart wisdom.
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. The synthesized material is hard and optically flawless. It is usually colorless, but is also made in a variety of colors.
Cubic Zirconia shouldn’t be confused with zircon, which is its own unique stone.
Emerald
With a hardness of 7.5 to 8, Emerald is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
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The light to medium green color of the emerald was often believed to bring luck and health. It is also representative of life and springtime.
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Emerald is the birthstone for May.
