If we decided to poll the population of jewelry buyers to find
out their favorite gemstones, which would win? The most loved
gemstone would likely be diamond. Why? Any number of reasons.
Diamonds are hard, sparkly as a disco ball and worn on more fingers than any other gem.
But most of the reason is an effective marketing campaign by the De Beers diamond cartel. Read more about popularity and jewelry designs using diamonds.
Colored Gemstones in Jewelry
Ruby is often imitated and often matched in good quality synthetics.
Unfortunately, Ruby suffers from much of the same political impact
as "blood diamonds". That's because many really good rubies come
from Burma (Myanmar) where the government is just a brutal and
oppressive as most Africa's worst. Read more about rubies in jewelry designs.
Sapphire is extremely popular due to it's variety
of colors, the gemstone's durability (hardness), and the fact
that it has an appealing name. Sapphire can set any number of
moods. It can be cool and aloof in cornflower, mysterious in
midnight blue, yet innocent in pink. Sapphire is a cousin to
Ruby, both being in the family corundum. In may ways,
Sapphire may be more versatile and popular than ruby. If you are fortunate enough to own a good Kashmir sapphire, you can make conisseurs stare. Read more about sapphire jewelry.
Emerald may be the perfect green gemstone. This
Latin beauty makes a perfect companion to gold, yet seems
equally at home in platinum. Beautiful, intense and radiant are
only a few of the superlatives that describe emerald. Cuts en
cabachon as well as emerald cut showcases the color of emerald
jewelry.
Pearls have a special place in jewelery collections.
They are simply different. Black pearls especially have a mystique
rife with undertones and overtones that few other gems can match.
.. pearl jewelry
Tourmaline is so often ignored and that
really is a shame. What other gemstone comes from the earth
in such a myriad of colors .. even in the same gemstone? No other
natural gemstone is found in so many different hues .. tourmaline
jewelry.
Spinel suffers the misfortune of having a poor
name. And besides that, it has been mistaken for ruby for centuries.
One of the more famous gemstones is the "Black
Prince's Ruby" in the English crown. Yes, the famous "ruby"
is actually gem spinel. Spinel has often been obscured by designer
names such as Balas Ruby. But do yourself a favor and get acquainted with spinel jewelry. 
More semi-precious
gemstones More beautiful gems can give scope, range
and style to your jewelry collections. Discover gems that are
beautiful, versatile and affordable and should fit your wardrobe
of .. semi-precious
gemstone jewelry
Gold and Platinum in their various alloys make up most of the settings for precious and semi-precious gemstone. These precious metals and their subtlety of variations showcase, enhance and protect the beauty of gemstones.
We also need to recognize some of the special effects .. metals in jewelry design.