Diamonds 
When you consider how diamonds originate, it’s amazing that any of them are even available to us. They form between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface under great pressure and very high temperatures. Explosions, similar to volcanoes but containing gases and steam, transport diamonds to the surface where we are able to mine them. Diamond “pipes” contain most of the diamonds we mine today.The high cost of locating a diamond pipe, investigating its possible productivity, and then constructing the actual mine site, are 3 of the contributing factors to the diamond’s high cost. We then take the four C’s into consideration: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The price and value of a diamond are directly related to the four C’s as well as the high cost of producing them. They are a “10” on the “mohs” scale of hardness which makes them exceptionally durable. Diamonds are the most highly prized stones on the market today.

Ruby
Today, the highest quality, best colored, and most transparent rubies come from Burma. However, rubies are also found in Sri Lanka, Thailand,. They often have areas of inclusions in the form of minute needles (or straws) which produce a silky sheen. If the silk is not heavy, the stones are more clear and even more valuable. Rubies are generally given an oval or round cut. Stones that weigh from 3 to 5 carats are rare and can fetch very high prices.

Aquamarine
Most aquamarines come from Brazil and are among the most valuable of the secondary gems. The stone can be pale blue, light blue green, or a rich sky blue. Many are free of inclusions. The most common cut is the emerald cut although oval or pear shaped aquamarines are not uncommon.

Sapphire
Today, the most important sources of sapphires are Australia, Kashmir, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Thailand. The finest stones, weighing at least several carats, are almost as valuable as diamond and rubies. They can be very highly priced and have striking luster. Their color is also very distinctive – being a strong but not too bright blue. Sapphires are usually given oval cuts but rectangular or square cuts are also possible.

Emerald
The biggest and most beautiful emeralds come from Colombia while smaller quantities come from Brazil and East Africa. All stones contain inclusions, although in the best quality emeralds, they are very faint and not visible to the naked eye. The most common cut is the emerald or step cut although they are sometimes given an oval, pear , or cabochon cut. Stones of fine color that weigh over 2 carats are highly valued gemstones.

Blue Topaz
This is the most common variety of topaz on the market today. It’s found in various parts of Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and various other parts of the world. Often a pale blue, the color can also be a bright blue or a deep London blue. The availability of this stone makes stones of more than several carats readily affordable. The most common cut is the oval but all the mixed cuts as well as the step cut are also used.