What Are Earth to Market^™ Gems? 

Stuller’s Earth to Market gemstones are gemstones of known origin, a significant initiative for us. We have undertaken it because it’s good for you, our customers, good for your customers who will increasingly want this information, and good for the industry. 

Benefits of Earth to Market Gems 

• Help tell the story of that individual gemstone from its earthly origin to the wearer’s jewelry. 
• Share the compelling story of small gemstone mines that leave a minimal environmental footprint. 
• Support small-scale mining and jobs for individuals, families, and communities with no other means of livelihood. 
• Available in Stuller Notable Gems™ selection and calibrated stones. 

So Many Hands 

For thousands of years, most gemstones reached major markets after passing through innumerable hands. This made it near impossible to know the original source of a stone. To demonstrate what we mean, let’s think back to the famed Silk Road, an ancient series of trade routes linking China’s extraordinary wealth of goods to Middle Eastern and European markets.  

Risk Takers 

Traders and merchants took significant risks while crossing Asia’s vast, remote regions. They contended with attacks, disease, and even death. Today we might call them thrill-seekers or adventurers — but not entirely. They traveled in large groups and relied on their knowledge and the local contacts they had made on previous trips. And few traveled the whole distance — quite literally, many thousands of miles.  

Moving Forward 

Caravans would go only so far, then trade and sell their wares to other traders to acquire goods they could sell on their way back home. The new caravan would move west with their caravans of donkeys, horses, camels, and yaks burdened with China’s finest silks, jade sculptures, porcelain, paper (invented by the Chinese), gemstones from Asia’s rivers and mountains, and much more. 

En route, the merchants would buy or trade for more prized treasures. In the region we now call Afghanistan, they sought highly desirable lapis lazuli, aquamarine, and more. They looked for exquisite Persian turquoise, Egyptian emeralds, topaz, and peridots in Middle Eastern markets. They were anticipating their arrival in Venice, the most powerful Western trading market in the Middle Ages. Who knows how many hands the gemstones passed through to reach this destination and the people who purchased the gems. It’s impossible to count.  

Even today, gemstones from all over Asia mingle in Bangkok and and other gemstone hubs, making it hard to say anything more than “origin assumed.” Many of these gems are cut and polished in Bangkok then move on to other places around the globe and large wholesalers. Fortunately, we have our own office in Bangkok, and our on-site buyers and graders keep a close eye on what they purchase and its origin story.  

Our gemstone buyers and product directors travel more than 250,000 miles per year sourcing stones and visiting stone sources and operations, ensuring they follow our strict ethical standards. 

Rewards 

By offering your customers our Earth to Market gemstones, you have the opportunity to share an ethically and environmentally friendly story and make them a vital part of it. You can be sure they’ll share the story with friends, and you’ll get more business as a result. 

Learn more at Stuller.com/EarthToMarket.

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See more features from the world of gemstones by viewing our recent Sell With a Story blog posts!

Ultimate Gray + Illuminating: Colors of the Year

Color Pairings That Pop

All Things Green

Moissanite

From the Stars: The History of Moissanite

In 1893, French chemist Henri Moissan was examining rock samples in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. Peering inside a meteor crater, he came across a bevy of sparkling stones and mistakenly identified them as diamonds.

They weren’t.

These crystals were silicon carbide — aka, Moissanite. And Moissan actually wasn’t the first person to encounter Moissanite.

Enter: Edward Acheson

American chemist Edward G. Acheson successfully created silicon carbide in a lab in 1891. He pioneered the Acheson process, a process used to create silicon carbide. Similarly to Henri Moissan, Acheson also had a slight blunder: he was attempting to synthesize diamonds but instead created blue crystals of silicon carbide.

It wouldn’t be until 1904 that Acheson and Moissan would realize they were looking at the same mineral.

And although Acheson was first to the silicon carbide punch, Moissanite was named in honor of Henri Moissan.

Why Choose Lab-Created Moissanite?

In its natural form, Moissanite remains exceptionally rare, coming only from meteorites that strike Earth’s upper mantle. In fact, after Moissan’s discovery, no natural Moissanite was found until 1958 — this time in Wyoming. It’s because of this rarity in nature that humans decided to grow them in a lab, making Moissanite available for everyone — for both industrial uses and for jewelry purposes.

When used in jewelry, lab-created Moissanite has unmatched brilliance that sparkles from across the room. Its attractive price point adds to its dazzling impact, making any jewelry dream a reality.

Here are a few reasons to choose lab-created Moissanite for your engagement ring, body jewelry, or fine fashion jewelry:

• Lab-created Moissanite is affordable
  • Because scientists have perfected the growing process, lab-created Moissanite is incredibly affordable. Carat for carat, your customers can get a larger Moissanite at a significantly lower price than a diamond of the same size. For couples with a limited budget, this lets them get the center stone they want with no sacrifice on size, clarity, cut, or color.

• Lab-created Moissanite lasts a lifetime
  • It’s a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale, which means Moissanite has a high tolerance to being scratched. It’s harder than even sapphire and ruby, which rank at 9. Moissanite is also exceptionally durable — or, in geological terminology, tough. This refers to the fact Moissanite doesn’t chip, break, or fracture easily.

• Lab-created Moissanite has some serious sparkle — more than even diamonds!
  • With its double refraction and radiant rainbow fire, this lively, durable gem offers each customer the exciting opportunity to wear sparks of rainbow fire in earrings, rings, body chains, anklets, and more.

• Nothing gets wasted in the growing process
  • Non-gem-quality Moissanite is used in computer chips and motherboards.

Why Choose Stuller for Lab-Created Moissanite?

When you buy lab-created Moissanite from Stuller, you get a variety of benefits. Here are five reasons why Stuller is your go-to supplier for any Moissanite need:

NEW: 5 fancy color options

In Stuller Lab-Created Moissanite™, you have five affordable, vibrant color options:

• Fancy green
• Fancy blue
• Fancy yellow
• Fancy brown
• Black

Our colored lab-created Moissanite is never coated. The color you see is the color they were grown to be.

In-stock and ready to ship

With our inventory of over one million gemstones held on-site and ready to ship, you can choose a stone on our site today and have it in your hand tomorrow.

Sizes range from 1mm to 12.5mm

If you need a larger size, special cut, or anything else, our Special Order Services team is always ready to find it for you. With more than 10,000 gemstones procured each year, they know what it takes, where to go, and who to call to find exactly what you need.

Two luxurious brands

We offer two brands, both of which are eye clean, loupe clean, and affordable: Stuller Lab-Created Moissanite and Charles & Colvard.

1. Stuller Lab-Created Moissanite™

• Available in two color grades: DEF colorless and GH near-colorless
• Best for customers who want to get maximum sparkle for their budget
• Has a variety of fancy-colored options: blue, green, brown, yellow, and black

2. Charles & Colvard Forever One® Moissanite

• Available in two color grades: DEF colorless and GHI near-colorless
• Best for customers who want the traditional name in lab-created Moissanite
• Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
• Available in Old European cuts

An abundance of shapes and cuts

Our selection has 14 shapes and even more cuts, including on-trend and classic options, such as rose-cut stones.

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Ready to discover all lab-created Moissanite has to offer? Head over to our website today to get started!

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Fascinated by all things gemstones? Check out our recent Sell With a Story blog posts!

All Things Green

Color Pairings That Pop

Aquamarine

Is it really March already? The calendar says so, and that can only mean we Northern Hemisphere dwellers will soon be welcoming in spring and packing up our winter wardrobes. But March means more than just spring — it also means St. Patrick’s Day is on the way!

Wednesday, March 17, marks this year’s celebration, and we’ve got just what you need to invite good fortune AND to wear something green to protect yourself from being unwittingly pinched.

The Luck of the Irish

To kick off your social-distanced St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, we’re highlighting five gemstones that will have you and your customers green with envy. We suggest getting your hands on these gems as soon as possible so that you can enjoy the luck of the Irish all March long.

1. Fancy Green Moissanite

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, our gemstone team is THRILLED to introduce a most fitting gem: fancy green Stuller Lab-Created Moissanite™ (in addition to four other new fancy colors).

Offering both a lush green hue with the intense sparkle that is Moissanite’s claim to fame, our green Lab-Created Moissanite is perfect for any green aficionado. Share these cool facts about Moissanite to let them know you’re their gemstone expert for any need:

• This stone was discovered in an Arizona meteorite crater, but all Moissanite used in jewelry today is created in a lab
• Ranking at 9.25 on the Mohs Scale, Moissanite is harder than ruby and sapphire — and strong enough for daily wear in engagement rings, fashion styles, and body jewelry alike
• Moissanite has more than twice as much sparkle as diamonds due to its unique refractive properties
• Scientifically known as silicon carbide, Moissanite is used in computer motherboards

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Stay tuned for next month’s Sell With a Story, where we’ll do a deep dive into everything about Lab-Created Moissanite: its history, our two brands, Stuller’s five fancy colors, and even a new video showcasing why Moissanite is so marvelous.

In the meantime, you can shop our colored Lab-Created Moissanite here or learn more about the benefits of this wonderful gem.

2. Emerald

Ranging in hue from a warm yellow-green to a cool blue-green, it’s no surprise we embrace emerald for those born in May, the height of spring. As one of the Big Three gemstones, emerald has endured in popularity for centuries, being THE go-to gemstone for all things green.

Of course, there’s a variety of green gems available today, but for customers who want the traditional green gem, emerald is the only choice. Just be sure to treat it with care since these gems can be finicky and fragile to work with.

• The name emerald finds its root in the Sanskrit word marakata, meaning the green of growing things
• Due to its lush, rolling countryside, Ireland is famously known as the Emerald Isle
• Emeralds and emerald jewelry are the gifts for the 35^th wedding anniversary
• The world’s largest emerald is a privately owned 7,052-carat uncut crystal from Colombia

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Take a deep dive into the verdant beauty and history of emerald at Sell With a Story: Emerald Gemstones, or find your perfect stone in our calibrated assortment or Notable Gems®.

3. Demantoid Garnet

Garnet comes in a wide range of richly hued shades that are both reasonably priced and readily available. But as with all stones, there are select types that are superstars. In garnet, that standout superstar stone is the Demantoid variety.

Getting its eye-popping color from trace amounts of chromium and ferric iron, this lime-green gem has one thing that makes it outshine the rest of the garnet family: Demantoid garnet has incredible fire dispersion — more so than diamonds!

• Demantoid, meaning diamond-like, comes from the old German word demant
• The highest quality gems come from Russia’s Ural Mountains, where it was discovered in 1853
• Faceted stones above two carats are rare, and most are under one carat
• Some have beautiful, unique golden horsetail inclusions — which make them even more valuable

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You can find Demantoid garnet in Stuller Notable Gems®.

4. Tsavorite Garnet

Meet the other green giant of the garnet family: Tsavorite. This vivid grass-green gemstone gets its color from the element vanadium, although some Tsavorite garnets contain other elements that give their exceptional color a whisper of blue.

Tsavorite has a long, rich history that starts with its 1961 discovery — which you can read all about in our in-depth analysis at Sell With a Story: Tsavorite Garnet.

• Tsavorite is an excellent, more durable birthstone option for May babies who shy away from their traditional emerald
• Tsavorite’s name comes from Kenya’s Tsavo National Park
• The finest quality Tsavorite hails from a deposit in Kenya’s Kuranze region
• Most Tsavorite is natural and untreated, so the stone you receive looks exactly how it came out of the ground, offering the raw beauty of Mother Nature to customers

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We offer calibrated Tsavorite garnet in a variety of shapes, sizes, and vibrant color qualities as well as in our Notable Gems® collection.

5. Peridot

Also called the Evening Emerald, peridot is a radiant green with a hint of gold. This lush hue embodies true splendor and growth. While best known as the birthstone for August babies, anyone can enjoy peridot’s unique shade — and indeed, people are enjoying it, as peridot has been trending in a huge way recently.

If you have a customer who loves peridot for what it is, let them know that birthstones aren’t limited only to those born in a specific month. Anyone can enjoy this lovely bright green, perfect for both a spring celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and for sweltering summer days spent poolside.

• Peridot is the gift for the 16^th wedding anniversary
• Why pear-a-doe and not pear-a-dot? Peridot was first mined in the town of Peridot, Arizona
• Peridot is one of few gemstones that appears in exactly one color: a perfect pistachio panache
• The oldest peridot gemstones came to Earth in a meteorite, and they’re 4.5 billion years old — a far cry from the meager millions of years of Earth-forged Peridot

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Check out Sell With a Story: Peridot Gemstones to learn more, or stock up in our calibrated collection.

More Things Green

Are you feeling the luck of the Irish (or perhaps even envy) yet? If not, check out these previous Sell With a Story blogs about some lesser-known green gemstones:

• Sell With a Story: Jade Gemstones
• Sell With a Story: Chrysoprase Jewelry
• Sell With a Story: Bloodstone

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Many Needs, One Source: Stuller Gemstones™

Whether you need to shop gemstones by color, find a perfect match, or have a team of gemstone experts embark on a worldwide treasure hunt to find a very specific gemstone, Stuller has you covered.

With more than one million gemstones in our inventory and our next-day delivery on all in-stock products, we can get you what you need, when you need it — with the spectacular customer service for which we’re known.

Not sure where to get started?

Check out Stuller Gemstones™ today!

Think back to the stones that have dominated jewelry center pieces for years past. If you’re like many, you probably immediately thought of the big four stones: diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. No one can deny their beauty, but as customers’ tastes evolved, beauty alone isn’t enough.

They want something else. Something with a story. Something no one else has.

One way in which we’ve seen customers exploring this desire for uniqueness is with gemstone combinations that range from bold jewel tones that give the wearer confidence to sunny color unions that invite happiness.

Take it Back to the 1920s

Back in the 1920s, Cartier unveiled a bracelet that utilized an unusual color combination: green, red, blue, and white. Of course, those four colors came from the big four stones themselves — emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and a dash of diamonds — and thus a luxurious line of jewelry was born. Later on, these designs came to be known as Tutti Frutti.

While these shades seem to conflict with one another, Pierre Cartier was clearly onto something: the popularity of this combination has endured in the approximate 100 years that have passed since Tutti Frutti’s introduction. And with the record-breaking $1,300,000 sale of one of these bracelets at Sotheby’s last year, gem-intensive styles have enjoyed a renewed cultural relevance and fanbase.

The 2020 return of Tutti Frutti has opened the door for unique color pairings — and the more they pop, the better.

Blue and Orange

Bright, ornamental designs are trending in a huge way, especially when they combine a matte, opaque stone sitting in contrast beside a translucent faceted gem. Lapis lazuli, malachite, onyx, coral, and turquoise are but a few of the gems that are up for the task.

One of my favorite pairings is in the above image, where the complementary combination of blue and orange lends itself to a striking story of fire and ice.

While you can use a deep blue sapphire for this combination, how about swapping that deep blue gem for the soft blue of turquoise? Mixing textures is a visually interesting way to kick up the fun of any design.

For example, let a faceted orange stone (I suggest the ever-beautiful spessartite garnet) take center stage, and have a halo of turquoise frame it. Accent these designs with a sprinkle of white diamonds, and the result will be a seriously eye-catching design. The contrasting texture of opaque against faceted is one we absolutely adore — and your customers will too!

Pink, Green, and Teal

For younger customers who want to break away from the rubies, emeralds, and sapphires that their grandparents wore, a combination of pink spinel, teal tourmaline, and mint green garnet may strike their fancy.

This tropical combination is a contemporary take on classic red/green/blue designs yet still offers customers an effortless piece they can wear with any outfit. Try experimenting with the balance of colors to see what you like best. The size of the stones, the shapes you use, the metal quality, and so much more give you endless ways to play with this combination.

Of course, you can always try swapping out one of these gemstone colors for another of the same hue or vibrance. For example, what if the pink spinel not working for you? Maybe a yellow sapphire will do the trick.

Explore the Rainbow: Shop Gemstones by Color

This trend toward bright colors is sure to continue and will become the foundation of many custom masterpieces to come. To help you play a part in these future masterpieces, Stuller is here for you.

With more than 105 gemstone types, you’re sure to find what you need — especially because we’ve made it so easy with one key feature on our website. When you need some color inspiration, the Shop by Color feature on Stuller’s website can help you find the perfect shade.

How it works is quick and easy:

1. Choose calibrated faceted, calibrated cabochon, or Notable Gems®.
2. Pick your desired color or color range — select one or many!
3. Browse available shapes and sizes for your selection(s).
4. Toggle any additional specifics: origin, color quality, unique features, and more.

Stuller is Your Gemstone Source

Presenting your customers with relevant color choices positions you as the trend expert. And with Stuller in your back pocket, you can quickly and easily get everything you need to cement their trust in you.

• We keep an on-site, in-stock inventory of more than one million gemstones that are ready for next-day delivery.
• To remain close to operations and stay current with industry trends, we maintain a facility in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Our buyers travel more than 250,000 each year to procure the stones in our vaults and to visit suppliers, cutters, and miners.
• We have trained gemological experts on standby when you would like firsthand information about a specific gemstone in our inventory.

From the calibrated gems you rely upon to completely unique individual stones, we can support you and your customers in finding the perfect center piece or suite of stones for any special project.

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Read more articles about Stuller’s gemstone offering and find exactly what’s right for you.

THE BIG 3: EMERALD, RUBY, AND SAPPHIRE REIGN SUPREME IN THE WORLD OF GEMSTONES

GEMSTONES FOR ALL: FIVE GEMSTONES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

ULTIMATE GRAY + ILLUMINATING: PANTONE 2021 COLOR OF THE YEAR

As a child watching The Wizard of Oz in years, I was too mesmerized by the wonder of Dorothy finding herself in a magical new world to take in all the details. Emerald City? That I understood. Ditto for her Ruby Slippers. But yellow bricks? Only years later, watching the movie for the who-knows-how-many-times, did I realize that the bricks were gold. Ah, looking back, it’s clear the yellow brick road didn’t just lead to the Emerald City. It was priceless in its own right — the ultimate symbol of luxury, the substance of dreams.

Goldrush

Dorothy was far from the only person to follow a golden road. Throughout history, gold discoveries have launched rushes across continents, up towering mountains, or distant streams and rivers. When we look at Renaissance portraits of current fashion magazines, we see gold everywhere — particularly yellow. Most people can tell you they love gold — whether yellow, white, or rose — and why, but few know much about its long, illustrious history.

Walk Back Along the Yellow Brick Road 

We all know the vital role gold plays in the jewelry industry, but did you know our hominid ancestors — perhaps Neanderthals — discovered gold 40,000 years ago? This came to light when anthropologists and archaeologists studied ancient artifacts and paintings in Spanish caves, dating these treasures back 40 millennia. Among them, they discovered small gold nuggets. This rich yellow metal no doubt mesmerized those who first laid eyes on it as it has ever since.

In Days Long Past

In 5000 BCE, the Egyptians used electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver ore, to make jewelry for both men and women. By 3000 BCE, gold jewelry appeared among the ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia. In 2600 BCE, this same region produced the earliest example of lost wax casting, a funerary decoration for a long-ago queen. By 2500 BCE, gold chains emerged in the Sumerian city of Ur. And at this same time, the Egyptians discovered a wealth of techniques: filigree, granulation embossing, chasing, inlaying, molding, and engraving. South America’s Chavin culture used these techniques by 1200 BCE.

A Death Mask

Gold “death masks” originated in Ancient Egypt, where they believed the mask would help the deceased find their body in the afterlife. The most famous of these is King Tutankhamun. In the 18th century, a gold death mask was discovered in a mining shaft in southwestern Greece, known as Mycenae. Even though the mask pre-dated the Trojan War by 400 years, it was named the Mask of Agamemnon.

Did He Exist?

Agamemnon, the King of Ancient Mycenae, may or may not have lived outside Greek mythology, tragedies, and Homer’s Illiad. In mythology, he led the Greek army to the Trojan Wars, accompanying his brother Menelaus, Helen of Troy’s husband. But we have yet to make a specific match to a historical figure. The lesson learned? Mycenae was believed to be rich in gold. The mask and numerous decorative gold items discovered there indicate this was true.

Castaway

The Nazca civilization near the Peruvian coast perfected lost-wax casting around 500 BCE. This should come as no surprise because South America was rich in gold and silver, and a number of its ancient societies were highly sophisticated. 

Does the Sun Cry?

South America’s great Inca civilization believed it did. They considered gold as the “tears of the sun.” Can you imagine a more beautiful description? If so, please share it below. For me, this gorgeous image does justice to the precious metals, almost unearthly beauty.

Dorothy Got It Right

Between the Emerald City and the Ruby slippers, Dorothy knew how to pick the perfect gems to pair with gold. Centuries ago, when miners in Burma’s Mogok Valley discovered Pigeon Blood Ruby, the king had it set in 24K gold starting a tradition. Pigeon Blood — the finest shade of Ruby — has blue/purple undertones and the brilliant yellow of 24K cancels them out. This creates a peerless, vivid red, one of the most challenging shades to achieve.

Similarly with Emerald, high karat yellow gold enlivens Emerald’s brilliant green displaying it in its full glory. 

Yellow gold also works magically with Alexandrite, Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst, and Sapphire.

Forever and Ever

I’m skipping over a long period from the Middle Ages through to the present. I’ll have to write another blog focusing on those lustrous years. Today we use gold for everyday jewelry, custom designs, sophisticated showstoppers, cocktail rings, and so much more. 

Perhaps the biggest gold category is bridal — engagements, anniversary and eternity bands, and wedding bands. It makes perfect sense. Because gold doesn’t corrode, ancient cultures considered it “immortal” — like the love a couple vows to live. We say, “till death do us part,” but love lives on in the hearts of all those whose lives the couple touches — forever and ever.

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To learn more about Stuller’s precious metal offerings, visit our website!

If you enjoyed this historical look at gold, view some more of our Sell With A Story blog posts.

Sell With A Story: Aquamarine

Sell With A Story: Diamond History

Sell With A Story: How Are Pearls Formed?

Gemstones are all beautiful in their own special and unique ways, but there are some that just have a way of catching the eye. Bicolor and color change gemstones are scientific marvels that intrigue you with their color diversity. Want to impress your customers with these fascinating gems? Let’s dive into these gems, how they got their color, and what kinds of stones to look for.

Bicolor Gemstones

Bicolor gemstones exhibit two or more distinct colors. This multi-color effect is created depending on how the stone formed. As gems grow, they can be exposed to different gasses and heat levels at various times in their creation period. The chemical changes that occur cause different colors to show on different parts of the same gemstone.

Sometimes a bicolor gemstone shows two separate colors with an almost distinct line where the colors shift into one another. Such is the case with ametrine, which showcases stunning purple and yellow/orange colors characteristic of amethyst and citrine that tend to meet in a defined line. However, not all bicolor gemstones have two colors that meet in a singular line. These colorful gems can also display multiple colors that blend more gradually in an ombre effect or show up spotty throughout the stone. Imperial topaz and bicolor sapphire, such as Montana Sapphire, boast these fascinating and unique color blends.

Stuller Bicolor Gemstone Offerings

Stuller’s collection of gemstones features a selection of striking bicolor, tricolor, and particolor gemstones in both our calibrated and Notable Gems™ collections. These gems come in a variety of color combinations that are sure to provide you with a one-of-a-kind find.

Tourmaline has the most options available for bicolor. There are infinite possibilities for how they are combined into a single stone with color options in blue, teal, green, yellow, pink, orange, purple, and red with many shades of each color. Enjoy these stones featured only in our Notable Gems™ collection.

Tanzanite, derived from the mineral zoisite, comes in a variety of color combos – such as blue/green, blue/purple, blue/green/purple, and green/purple. These bicolor stones can only be found in our Notable Gems™ collection.

Ametrine, a quartz gemstone previously mentioned, comes in a purple/yellow bicolor combination and can be found in our calibrated collection.

Sapphire, a member of the corundum family, comes in almost every color imaginable with a variety of color combinations. These versatile stones can be found in both our Notable Gems™ and calibrated collections.

Imperial Topaz, also previously mentioned, exhibits the warmest yellow/orange/pink/red hues and can be found only in our Notable Gems™ collection.

Color Change Gemstones

Another interesting color phenomenon in gemstones are the color change gemstones. These gemstones have a talent for appearing in different colors under different light sources. The physics behind this is fascinating. Each light source has a different wavelength and causes colors to absorb differently on the same material. Natural light sources (sunlight) will make certain gemstones appear as one color and that color will change if illuminated by artificial light sources (candle light, incandescent light, fluorescent light).

Stuller Color Change Gemstone Offerings

Alexandrite is the most iconic stone that comes to mind when you think of color change gemstones. A member of the chrysoberyl family, alexandrite changes from green/teal to red/purple when exposed to each different light source. This stone can be found in both our Notable Gems™ and calibrated collections.

Sapphire has various colors, but purple sapphire is particularly known for its color changing properties. This specific form of sapphire can change from purple to violet blue and is found in both our Notable Gems™ and calibrated collections.

Garnet, which is a form of almandine-pyrope, is able to change from purple/red to orange/brown in certain lighting. While this form of garnet is not available in our regular collections, we offer access to this gemstone through our special orders service.

Stuller’s Special Order Gemstone Service

You have a vision in mind and we want to make it happen. Even if it is difficult to find the perfect gemstone you are looking for online, we are able to assist. Our Special Order Gemstone Service allows us to help you find that special gemstone, ship it to our headquarters, and give you expert information about any unique optical properties. Every year, we fill more than 10,000 requests for special order gemstones. Let our team of experts and vast network of global sources find just what you need. For more information or to make a request, visit our website at Stuller.com/SpecialOrder or call us at 800-877-7777 (choose option 6 for gemstones).

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Did you love learning about bicolor and color change gemstones? Fall in love with all things gemstones by checking out some of our recent gemstone-related blogs for colorful and beautiful inspiration.

The Big 3: Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire Reign Supreme in the World of Gemstones

Gemstones for All: Five Gemstones for Men and Women

Sell With a Story: Aquamarine

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Content by Samantha Larson

Words by Taylor Dizor

Year-round, Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds are the most sought-after gemstones. Treasured for their rich, brilliant hues, they have fascinated and bewitched all who lay eyes on them. Is it any wonder we designate them as the Big Three?

And during the holiday season, the demand for these breathtaking stones grows as we highlight in our Holiday 2020 brochure. We no longer refer to precious and semi-precious stones, yet Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald remain precious in our hearts precisely because the finest stones are rare and costly.

I’ve often wondered if their holiday popularity is somehow related to the color of Christmas lights. But I think the opposite is true: our festive lights’ color captures the beguiling power of these jewel tones. We offer all three in Notable Gems™ and calibrated stones so you can meet all budgets. Here are some fascinating facts and tales that will nurture wonderful conversations with customers. 

Sapphire

Ancient lore tells us that blue Sapphire brought spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. Sapphire also bestows wisdom, insight, and discernment to choose rightly when faced with obstacles and difficult situations. This jewel extended to the belief that Sapphire had the power to make peace between warring parties. Today, natural healers believe Sapphire has a positive effect on health issues, from hearing problems and inflammations to burns and cancer. It also has a calming effect, soothing a mind fighting depression and bringing joy to the wearer.

A Storied Sapphire

The Star of India — at 563,35 carats, one of the largest and certainly the most famous blue star sapphire — was discovered in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) two to three centuries ago. Moorish traders purchased the rough stone, taking it to India, then under British rule. They considered Ceylon a part of the Indian colony, and by rights, the Moors should have sold the Sapphire to them. Instead, they sold it to a European dealer. Eventually, it was mistakenly named the Star of India instead of the Star of Ceylon. The stone is famous not just for its size and flawlessness but because its sharp six-rayed star appears on both sides.

The Blue Belle of Asia

In 2014, this magnificent 392.52-carat antique cushion stone set a record for the most expensive Sapphire ever sold at public auction claiming $17 million. The peerless blue beauty was originally intended as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation. But it never made it to her jewel collection, disappearing for a good number of years. In recent years, a Saudi investor purchased it for an unknown price.

Ruby

Who can resist ruby’s luscious red? Throughout history, ruby has embodied all of life’s intensity: power, passion, and love. Kings, princes, and the wealthy sought rubies for their exquisite beauty, rarity, and prestige. Many rubies were not set in jewelry in medieval times but admired for their intoxicating shade. 

Not Just for Women 

Ruby was considered the essence of wifely devotion: a fire burning within, enduring challenges and temptation. And ancient warriors implanted ruby beneath their skin, believing it imparted both courage and invincibility. Not a bad combination to have on the battlefield. Others thought it bestowed perfect safety, cured diseases of the blood, and denoted integrity and generosity. It also had the power to warn its owner against danger — perhaps someone was trying to steal the ruby. Wow! That was a lot of responsibility, even for the “King of Precious Gems.”

Peak Hue

The ancient Burmese people first mined Ruby about 3000 BCE in the region around Mogok. They described the finest ruby as having the color of “pigeon’s blood,” a vibrant medium red with secondary purple hues. The Burmese set ruby in pure gold with its intense yellow color. The yellow canceled out the blue in the purple undertones, producing that rarest occurrence: a visually pure red. To this day, “pigeon’s blood” remains the most valuable ruby color. So much so that a large transparent ruby commands higher prices per carat than diamonds of the same weight.

Sunrise Ruby

This remarkable untreated pigeon blood Burmese Ruby is a rare 25.596-carat gem of the finest purity taking its name from a poem by Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet. In May 2015, it set a remarkable record for a colored gemstone selling for $30 million to an anonymous buyer. This price was three times the previous record for a ruby. Cartier set it in a platinum ring with shield-shaped diamonds on either side — a magnificent creation.

Savvy Marketing?

Ruby and Sapphire are both corundum. Color separates them with ruby’s hue from trace elements of chromium: the more chromium, the deeper the shade. Throughout history, ruby included all shades of red from light rose — a pink — to blood red. Historically, the lighter hues were considered “female rubies” while, the darker hues were “male rubies.”

Today in Asia, these lighter “reds” are still considered rubies. In North America and Europe, we call them pink Sapphire. The change happened in the late 19^th/early 20^th century. Why? A vibrant, medium red ruby is the preferred and most valuable color. This made the lighter rubies less valuable. But their beauty deserves its share of value. By creating pink Sapphire, jewelers didn’t need to compare it to ruby. Pink Sapphire has a separate category and standards getting its popularity from its much-loved vivid hue. That sounds like savvy marketing to me.

Emerald

Let’s go back to the Emerald City of Oz and forget about clicking the heels of our ruby slippers. Let’s click our emerald slippers instead and enter a realm of captivating beauty that has long exerted a powerful attraction from the rulers of ancient India to today’s A-Listers.

The Ultimate Emerald Devotee 

Cleopatra’s passion for Emeralds knew no bounds making her the gem’s most famous devotee. Her love led her far beyond jewelry. She wore emerald encrusted robes — a luxury by any standard. And she gave loose emeralds as gifts to visiting dignitaries — all of them men. Between 1000 and 3000 BCE, the earliest emerald source was discovered in Upper Egypt near the Red Sea. This later became known as “Cleopatra’s Mine.” Was this the origin of her many emeralds?

“The Green of Growing Things”

The name “emerald” comes to us from the Greek word, “smaragdos,” which may originate from either the Hebrew word “izmargad” or the Sanskrit word “marakata,” meaning “the green of growing things” — fresh, vivid, radiant. I like the Sanskrit version, which communicates the lush range of emerald hues. Think of the first leaves of spring and follow this verdant trail to the richer shades of spruce green. Along the way, you embrace a world of growth that reflects emerald’s mesmerizing power.

Catherine the Great’s Necklace

The Empress of Russia was famed for many treasured. Add this 75.61-carat Columbian emerald necklace to her riches. She received it in the18th century and ultimately it passed through many collectors’ hand to reach Pierre Cartier. In 2019, it was auctioned for $4.5 million.

Kermit Was Wrong — Way Wrong!

Kermit the Frog famously sang, “It’s not easy being green,” but when you’re admiring an emerald, you realize he got it all wrong. In addition to its famous beauty, extraordinary powers have been attributed to emerald through the ages. Read these, and you’ll realize that all of your customers need to have emerald jewelry — the more, the better.

• In the 4^th century BCE, Aristotle wrote that emerald increases its owner’s importance in presence and speech during business transactions. 
• Throughout history, many cultures believed emerald enhanced fertility and fidelity: not a bad combination.

By the Middle Ages, emeralds had the power —  

• To keep a woman chaste — but not a man! 
• Reveal truth and falsehood. 
• Provided an antidote to spells, enchantments, and demons.
• Foretold the future if worn on the left side — but not the right.
• To make people more intelligent and honest.
• To change hues alerting its wearer of danger.

Whichever of these jewels your customers want, you’ll discover a stunning array in our Notable Gems^™ and our calibrated stones, which include lab-created sapphires, rubies, and emeralds to meet all your needs.

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For more interesting facts about gemstones and more information about the Big 3, check out some of our previous blog posts!

Gemstones for All: Five Gemstones for Men and Women

Cursed Diamonds and Gemstones: All That Glitters Isn’t Gold

Sell With A Story: Fancy Colored Sapphires

Sell With A Story: Blue Sapphire Gemstones

Sell With A Story: Rubies

Sell With A Story: Emerald Gemstones

Brooches, Chains. Pendants. Rings. Gentlemen have a number of accessory options available and adding gemstones to fashion choices only allows for additional self-expression. Conventional wisdom would lead you to believe that gemstones are only features of women’s accessories and jewelry. But, times are changing, and developing trends would suggest otherwise. Gemstones do not belong to just women – or just men for that matter. Gemstones are for everyone.

New Fashion or Timeless Trend?

If you follow celebrities, influencers, and trendsetters, you’ll begin to notice what seems like a new fashion trend: gemstones! Gemstones are starting to make more of a statement for men as well – young and old – accenting rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, and more. But this androgynous trend is far from new. In fact, men from all backgrounds and from all over the world have been using gemstones in fashion throughout history dating back to the discovery of the earliest pieces of jewelry.

Gemstones have a rich history in fashion, each with their own story to tell. Let’s dive into five gemstones that make for excellent, powerful additions to men’s jewelry.

Ruby: Power and Boldness

The color red symbolizes humanity’s strongest emotions of passion and fury. It is the color of our greatest desires, the blood that gives us life, and a symbol of battle. Such emotions and ideals are reflected in the energetic ruby. Ruby has been thought to provide all manner of virtues, such as vitality and invincibility in battle.

Often a favorite among gemstones historically, ruby is just as in demand today, with its value as prominent as ever. Ruby, a power move in fashion and bold choice in life, fits in well among unforgettable gold jewels. People are drawn to its color and the feeling of success and influence it brings.

Amethyst: Every Day is Regal

A bold and popular gemstone, amethyst has quite the history as a gemstone carrying great meaning. Due to its color, amethyst has been associated with the Greek god Dionysus (also known as Bacchus by the Romans), the god of wine. According to legend, amethyst was once connected to sobriety, sound mindedness, and protection. Because of this belief, warriors would make small cuts in their skin and place pieces of amethyst in the wound. The stones would inadvertently enter the bloodstream and as they blocked veins the warriors would seem vexed or drunk due to restricted blood flow. When the stones would dislodge, they were magically cured and attributed the “curing” to the power of the amethysts.

Throughout history, amethyst has been used to adorn royalty and religious figures. To this day you can still find amethyst as the chosen gemstone of bishops and even British royalty during the coronation. Amethyst is a noble symbol. Its color inspires power, boldness, and confidence.

Sapphire: Wear Your Style

Although they come in many shades and colors, the classic blue found in sapphires is one of the most distinguishable among gemstones in the world. From light and serene to dark and inky, there is a shade of blue for everyone. Truth, sincerity, and allegiance inspire those that choose to don sapphire. Sapphires can be found throughout history all over the world aiding in their steadfast following.

While most think of the iconic blue sapphire, these gemstones come in many colors and the options are endless. Each kind of sapphire is unique and worthy of appreciation, as are the people who wear them. Sapphire is noble and vibrant making it an excellent choice to accent stylings for all.

Emerald: Green with Envy

Ambitious and lively, emerald’s notable green color is associated with opportunity and growth. Emerald is often connected to thriving landscapes, which ties in the virtues of relief and truth.

From Egypt and the Incan Empire to parts of Europe and Asia, the authority has a history of valuing the emerald. Emerald is a very calming, but powerful gemstone that makes for a great addition to anyone’s fashion statement.

Opal: Make a Statement

The magic of mystery strikes with the colors reflected in opal. Looking at opal, it is clearly not a traditional stone, but that does not detract from its intrigue. Historically, many have marveled at opal and found its colors inspiring. Others have associated it with the supernatural and the gift of prophecy.

Certainly unorthodox, opal’s rich kaleidoscope of colors is for those that wish to stand out and make an impression. Opal symbolizes hope and encouragement. Making a statement is the true magic this gemstone brings to the wearer.

Gemstones for All

Gemstones carry history and meaning. It is in this history you can see that they have a place with everyone. Man. Woman. Young. Old. Fashion and accessories are an expression of self and as time goes on jewelers will begin seeing more variety in those who are looking for ways to express those personal styles.

The gemstones mentioned only scratch the surface of stones used in modern fashion around the world. Other gemstones, such as tourmaline, garnet, and chrysoberyl, also make excellent gemstones for men and women. While Stuller may not carry every gemstone you might need, we are here to help you find exactly what you are looking for. You can special order gemstones through our network of sources.

Visit Stuller.com/specialorder to make a request.

Aquamarine has long been considered a divisive stone; you either love them or love to hate them. With its unique color — non-replicable in nature — Aquamarine could be the enigma we all seek.

Historical Background

Adopted as March’s birthstone in 1912, Aquamarine has had varied uses throughout the centuries. Two thousand years ago, Emperor Nero used thin slices of Aquamarine to aide in his poor vision. Fast forward to the 1450s. The Germans, famous for precision gemstone cutting, used thin slices to create the optics they needed to cut gems and developed the earliest eyeglasses. The Germans called ‘eyeglass/glasses’ die brille, and many thought this name came from the mineral beryl.

By 1550, the Spanish believed that Aquamarine directly related to the fountain of youth based on stories passed from the Egyptians on down to Ponce de Leon who happened to be a great storyteller. Perhaps it was because this gemstone has long been thought of as a stone of the sea, protecting sailors under Neptune’s watchful eye. No matter which fabled tale engages you, Aquamarine conjures great appreciation from many.

As a Beryl family member, which includes gorgeous green emeralds and pink morganites, Aquamarine comes in soft blue and greenish-blue shades. Categorized as a type 1 stone, most Aquamarine are eye-clean which is important because its tonality and saturation reveal even the smallest inclusions, lowering its value.

Heat-Treated vs. Non-Heat-Treated Aquamarine

Historically, the jewelry industry has two camps regarding the value of heat-treated Aquamarine — those believing the treatment lessens the stone’s value, and those who think it increases a stone’s value. Let’s explore both. 

First, it’s important to point out that most Aquamarine are heat-treated. It’s considerably more challenging to find un-treated stones, although a prolific hoard coming from Brazil will make it easier. These new stones have colors and clarities that need no help. 

Those who prefer a greenish aquamarine will generally find it in the “treated has less value” camp. Heating Aquamarine does not tend to change the color, but it minimizes impurities that cause the greenish hue, leaving behind a pure, crystal clear pastel blue. Those preferring this easy to identify blue believe that heating increases value. Neither camp is wrong; it merely reflects a difference of opinion. But identifying your camp will help you sell these subtle gemstones.

Selling Aquamarine

Letting a customer know that a stone is heated right up front, that it is an industry-wide practice and is irreversible, can help you gain credibility – not all jewelers disclose this treatment.  It also allows you to look and feel like the expert as you explain that removing stone impurities reduces the underlying greenish colors making the stone the much desired sky-blue.

The same holds true for letting a customer know that the Aquamarine they prefer is an unheated natural gem with its color just as the Earth produced it. It would not hurt to add that due to the rarity of un-heated stones (remember, heating is standard practice), a beautiful natural aquamarine’s value can go up. Also, explain what impurities exist in Aquamarine. Vanadium, one such impurity, has an intense teal color that not only increases the value but also can give the Aquamarine the passing look of a Paraiba, a color well suited to current trends.

The Value of Aquamarine

No matter the camp you reside in, understanding the why behind a gemstone’s value can help you sell in the way that makes the most sense for you and your associates.

If you need help understanding more about the stones we offer within Stuller Gemstones™, please reach out to our experts. We are happiest when helping you succeed.

Happy Selling.

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Want to know how you can implement striking and colorful gemstones to your jewelry case? Check out one of our previous blogs for inspiration!

Explore These 6 Gemstone Selections for Colorful Engagement Rings

Last year, we covered gemstone superstitions — and that blog post has been trending online ever since. This year, just in time for the scariest day of the year, we’re going to dive into the fearsome folklore surrounding some (in)famous and cursed diamonds and gemstones.

Sinister Beauty: The Hope Diamond

No list of spooky stones is complete without the Hope Diamond. Known for its exceptional size, color, and history, the Hope Diamond is a hugely impressive stone.

Oh, and it’s cursed. Allegedly.

When Harry Winston donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Museum, many thought the country was doomed. Some individuals even urged President Eisenhower to reject the gift. How could such a remarkable diamond have such dark energy?

Well, it’s what Marie Antoinette was wearing when she was beheaded. And it was reportedly stolen from a statue of the Hindu goddess Sita. The origins of the curse vary, but people agree on one thing: that it is one cursed diamond. Take these examples of the rumored peril that has come to people who have been in possession of the Hope Diamond:

• After stealing the diamond from Sita’s statue, the thief is said to have been killed by wild dogs.
• Sultan Abdul Hamid of Turkey lost his throne.
• Collector Philip Henry Hope’s family went broke, requiring the stone be sold to recoup losses, and his grandson died completely broke.
• Evalyn Walsh McLean lost two of her children, and her husband was later committed to an asylum.

That’s just a sampling of tales, and while most are flat-out lies and the curse is exaggerated, who wants to take a chance? Best to leave it at the Smithsonian.

#OTD 1958, the Hope Diamond is presented to the @smithsonian http://t.co/CgXlWX9Doy pic.twitter.com/rmbtl47pOI

— Smithsonian Archives (@SmithsonianArch) November 10, 2014

Men, Beware: The Koh-i-Noor

If you’re going to wear the 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor Diamond, you better not be a man.

As the curse goes, “He who owns this diamond will own the world but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God or woman can wear it with impunity.” But those threatening words haven’t swayed people from wearing the Koh-i-Noor.

Believed to have been mined in India’s Kollur Mine in the twelfth century, the Koh-i-Noor has a long, bloody history. Here is but a sample of the misfortunes that have befallen the Koh-i-Noor’s owners:

• Mughal emperor Babur lost his son to exile.
• A later ruler, Shah Jahan, famous for building the Taj Mahal, spent the end of his days in prison — imprisoned by his own son, Aurangzeb.
• Nadir Shah was assassinated.
• Each of Nadir Shah’s successors were dethroned.

After centuries of poisonings, assassinations, civil wars, and invasions, the Koh-i-Noor eventually ended up with the British monarchy, where it sits today among the British Crown Jewels. However, this is not without controversy — the Indian government would like its diamond returned.

India still wants the Koh-i-noor diamond back despite the Supreme Court being told otherwise https://t.co/Bzk5yP4ZUe pic.twitter.com/PowGFIaJVy

— BBC News India (@BBCIndia) April 20, 2016

The Regent Diamond

The 140.64-carat Regent Diamond has a cruel, bloody history. Most known for decorating Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword, the Regent Diamond was stolen from India’s now-defunct Kollur Mine.

A slave hid the diamond in an open wound in his leg, then boarded a ship bound for Europe. The ship’s captain learned of the diamond and its whereabouts, so he murdered the slave. Afterward, the captain sold the diamond to an Indian merchant, and thus the curse began.

When the Crown Jewels of France were stolen in 1792, the Regent Diamond was among them. Napoleon got the stone in 1801, and Marie Antoinette had it later. And we all know what happened to her and Louis XVI.

Today, the Regent Diamond is displayed at the Louvre.

The Regent Diamond, considered the most beautiful & purest in the world. An Indian found it then an English captain killed him & took it. Later sold to Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. It was placed in Napoleon's sword, then Louis XVIII's crown. It is currently in @MuseeLouvre pic.twitter.com/t871ToSG82

— The French History Podcast (@FrenchHist) August 9, 2020

There are more cursed diamonds out there: the Sancy Diamond, the Taylor-Burton Diamond, and many more. But if you thought gemstones were safe, think again.

The Great Impostor: The Black Prince’s Ruby

Why impostor? Well, the Black Prince’s Ruby isn’t a ruby. Weighing in at a whopping 170 carats, it’s an irregularly cut cabochon spinel — and despite its impostor status, the Black Prince’s Ruby holds a position of high regard. Today, it’s set in the center of the Imperial State Crown of England.

Believed to have been mined in Badakhshan (today known as Tajikistan), the Black Prince’s Ruby first appears on record in the fourteenth century. Don Pedro the Cruel, ruler of Seville, Spain, plundered the gem from the Moors.

Then the Black Prince himself, Edward of Woodstock, had the stone, where it acquired its name. King Henry V had the gem next, having it set in his battle helmet beside real rubies, truly making this red spinel an impostor.

When King Charles I committed treason, he lost more than the stone, and the Black Prince’s Ruby passed from the British royal line to an unknown buyer. Charles II regained the stone later, but Colonel Thomas Blood nearly succeeded in stealing it during a 1671 heist.

Portrait of King Charles with crown in the background. The 'Black Prince's ruby' is visible, set into the crown, just as Henry VIII's inventory of 1521 describes.
The crown was melted down after the civil war but the spinel survived and was set into Queen Victoria's state crown. pic.twitter.com/FlwVQHZwhh

— Mark Turnbull Author (@1642Author) October 16, 2020

The Delhi Purple Sapphire

The purported powers of sapphire include enlightenment, peace, and healing, yet devastation and despair have awaited all who’ve dared cross the Delhi Purple Sapphire.

Perhaps, that’s because there’s another impostor among us. But rather than a spinel masquerading as a ruby, this time, it’s an amethyst. No wonder the owners of the Delhi Purple Sapphire didn’t get to enjoy any of sapphire’s magical powers — they never had one to begin with!

Looted from the Temple of Indra during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the Delhi Purple Sapphire is a gem allegedly cursed through thievery, by the Hindu god of war and weather. When the amethyst was taken from the temple, the ancient deity cast a curse upon the stone.

Afterward, the Delhi Purple Sapphire ended up in England, where it spelled trouble for all who owned it, from financial ruin to health problems galore, bad luck, and more.

Author Edward Heron-Allen sealed the gemstone inside a box and had it locked in a bank vault. Later, he gifted the stone to the Natural History Museum, with one stipulation: the box not be opened until three years after his death.

The Delhi purple sapphire is believed to cast misfortune, despair, and devastation on its owner. But the curse may be conjured up not by occult forces, but by the person who owns the infamous gem.https://t.co/bOro6afim5 pic.twitter.com/mO4mYq0LZ5

— Ancient Origins (@ancientorigins) September 20, 2020

The Perilous Pearl: La Peregrina

La Peregrina, Spanish for “The Wanderer,” is a 50.56-carat pearl that originated from the Panama coastline in the sixteenth century. The then-administrator of the Panama colony gifted the pearl to Philip II, who subsequently gifted it to Queen Mary I of England.

Is Queen Mary I’s name familiar? If so, you may know her for her reign of terror that earned her the moniker Bloody Mary. She was rarely seen without La Peregrina — especially at executions. No doubt this pear-shaped pearl absorbed vile, violent energy.

The curse of La Peregrina is purported to be that of ruining the love lives of all who wear it:

• King Philip II lived abroad for most of his marriage to Queen Mary I.
• After Mary’s death, Philip proposed to her sister, who refused him.
• Centuries later, Richard Burton purchased the stone for Elizabeth Taylor—who had seven marriages throughout her life. Richard was two of those.

As of 2011, La Peregrina belongs to an anonymous collector, who paid a whopping $11 million for the stone.

#DidYouKnow? The 50.56 ct La Peregrina #pearl was owned by eight Spanish kings and Hollywood queen, Elizabeth Taylor. pic.twitter.com/JXR5v4Go86

— GIA (@GIAnews) June 13, 2017

The Stolen Sapphire: The Star of India

As the world’s largest gem-quality blue star sapphire, the 563-carat Star of India is quite the coveted gemstone. So coveted, in fact, that on October 29, 1964, three thieves broke into the American Museum of Natural History in New York. They raided the gem hall, making off with millions of dollars’ worth of stolen gemstones — including the Star of India.

As the story goes, the display’s alarm batteries were dead. And the ill fortune went even further:

• There was no security guard.
• The windows were open.
• The stone wasn’t even insured.

The thieves climbed in through the window and made off like the bandits they were.

Luckily, the Star of India was recovered not long after in the most unusual of places: a bus station locker in Miami, Florida. Not all the gemstones stolen with it were nearly as fortunate, however. Today, the Star of India is back at the American Museum of Natural History.

Hopefully, they’ve hired someone to regularly check the alarm system.

January 8, 1965, the "Star of India" – a 563.35-carat (112.67 g) star sapphire, one of the largest such gems in the world – returned to American Museum of Natural History after it was stolen the previous year 💎 pic.twitter.com/7Xt5rWtfLc

— History_of_Geology (@Geology_History) January 8, 2020

What’s the Verdict?

Are these stones truly cursed? We reached out to countless clairvoyants for confirmation, but they refuse to go on the record with a definitive answer.

But these tales do have some things in common: the stones were acquired through less-than-honorable means or have a bloody history. Perhaps, then, the curse is nothing more than a cautionary tale: don’t take what isn’t yours, and treat everyone with the kindness with which you want to be treated.

Certified Curse-Free Stones

We’re not daring enough to own any sinister stones — but we are daring enough to stock one of the industry’s largest diamond and gemstone selections. We offer more than 70 types of gemstones and diamonds in every size, shape, and color imaginable.

And don’t worry — we certify that all Stuller Diamonds™ and Stuller Gemstones™ were legitimately acquired and are thus curse free.

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Enjoyed learning about the world’s most cursed diamonds and gemstones? Read our previous Halloween-themed posts regarding gemstone and jewelry superstitions.

5 Gemstone Superstitions and How to Use Them to Sell More Stones

6 Jewelry Superstitions and How to Use them to Your Advantage