Welcome to the world of beautiful open heart jewelry.

Emerald Heart Pendant with Diamonds in 10K White Gold with Chain - Retail Value: $249.00 Sale Price: $129.00

Jewelry can come in various forms and shapes and types. Beautiful open heart jewelry is no exception to this rule. It is very popular these days to incorporate gemstones into jewelry. Do you know of all the various types of gemstones that are often used? Do you know which are the most popular and which are the most valuable? In this short article we will be focusing on the various gemstones that are often used in the creation of pretty jewelry.

Amber is not made from minerals, but from compressed tree resin. This tree resin has to harden for over 1 million years before it can officially be called "amber". Many of the Baltic States, such as Lithuania, are leading producers of the world's finest resin. Some amber can be over 120 million years old.

Heart Shape Diamond Earrings in 10K Yellow Gold: Retail Value: $275.00, Sale Price: $129.00

The most prized gemstone in the quartz family has been amethyst for many years. Prized for its purple hue, it can range in tone from light to dark.

Emeralds are a very ancient gemstone. It is believed that the Ancient Egyptians mined these fine gemstones as far back as 3500 B.C. They are known for their fine green to bluish green color.

The most popular color for the gemstone Jade is "green", but it can come in other colors as well. It has a nickname: "The Stone of Heaven", and it has been closely linked to Asian tradition, culture, and history.

Jasper comes in a variety of colors. It is a gemstone of the chalcedony family, and often has very interesting and beautiful patterns. Picture jasper, a popular form of jasper, is known for it's beige's and browns and elaborate swirls.

Garnet Earrings with Diamonds 3/5 Carat (ctw) in 14K Yellow Gold - Retail Value: $210.00, Sale Price: $99.00

Do you know which gemstone is called the "king of precious stones" in the Sanskrit language (i.e.: "ratnaraj")? The answer is ruby. Known for its intense red color, it is amongst the most highly valued of precious gemstones.

One of the most popular gemstones in the United States is the sapphire. One reason could be that it is much more affordable than an emerald or ruby. Sapphires can come in various types, but "blue sapphire" tops the list. It is known for its medium to deep blue color. If you love the color blue, this is the gem for you!

Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth. Here's a question for you. Which region of the world is the world's largest producer of turquoise? The answer is the southwest United States. This gemstone is prized for its attractive medium blue to greenish blue color.

Heart Diamond Pendant 12 Carat (ctw) in 10K White Gold with Chain - Retail Value: $500.00, Sale Price: $249.00

Do you know what an organic gemstone is? It is a gemstone that is produced by living organisms. Examples of these gemstones are pearls, corals, and amber. Inorganic gemstones are those gemstones that are composed of minerals.  Examples of these gemstones are diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.

Did you enjoy this little journey into the world of the various gemstones that can be utilized in jewelry production? We hope so. Gemstones can add beauty and value to jewelry designs, and heart jewelry is no exception. Colorful and beautiful, gemstones such as these can add considerable value to a jewelry item.

14K White Gold Open Heart Three Stone Diamond Pendant Retail Value: 175.00 Our Price: $99.00

The diamond, also known as the "King of Gems", has been coveted and desired by man since the early ages. Uncut diamonds were worn by knights on their armor. Cut versions of the same gemstone were situated on the crowns of kings and queens. Internationally recognized as the symbol of love, they have become the center of attention because of their unique investment potential.

There was a time when the diamond was thought to be endowed with magical powers. It was thought that by merely possessing a diamond, the holder would be endowed with bravery, courage, and superior strength. Hence the reason that knights wore them on their suits of armor. As a side benefit, it was thought that the diamond could ward off the devil and other evil creatures of the night.

The diamond has been attributed to many different things over the years. For example: (1) Sexual Prowess, (3) Sleepwalking, (2) Spiritual Ecstasy, and (4) Invincibility. In order for the holder of the diamond to benefit from these attributes, they would have had to have found the diamond in the wild, its natural location. If the diamond was purchased from another person, then this "contract" would be void. One exception was if the diamond was offered in an exchange of love or friendship (for example, an engagement ring). In this particular case, the magical powers that were associated to the diamond may return.

The Hindus classified diamonds into four separate castes. They were: (1) The Brahmin diamond, a colorless diamond that provided riches, power, friends, and good luck. (2) The Kshatiya, a brown/champagne colored diamond that prevented old age. (3) The Vasiya, a diamond the color of the "kodali flower" which brought success. (4) The Sudra, a diamond that was gray or black and glistened like a polished piece of metal, which brought about good fortune. In addition we have the red and yellow diamonds, which were gems exclusively for kings.

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From a chemical perspective, the diamond is the simplest gemstone around. It's just plain ole' crystallized carbon. This is the same substance that makes our lead pencils. A lead pencil is much cheaper to purchase than a diamond, so it's this crystallized pattern of the diamond that makes it special…and is the reason that it is so prized by collectors.

What is the hardest known substance? Any idea? It's the diamond of course. Even though it's hard, it can be chipped (if it is struck at just the right angle). This ability to be "chipped" is what allows a gemologist to shape the diamond into the thing of beauty that we buy in our jewelry stores.

Did you know that diamonds come in every color of the rainbow? This is true, but the white diamond is definitely the most popular version of the gem. Irregardless, diamonds of any color make a perfect addition to any fine piece of jewelry.