Gemstone Glossary

If you'd like to incorporate a gemstone into one of our designs, please send an email to sales@danawaldenbridal.com with your request.  We will promptly follow up with a price quote and availability.

 

Amethyst

                 

Amethyst has historically been the most prized gemstone in the quartz family and is the traditional birthstone for February.  It appears in a variety of hues, ranging from pink-ish violet to deep purple.  This semi-precious stone is becoming increasingly popular for engagement rings as more couples decide to follow a less traditional, but equally beautiful path.

 

 Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethyst has the power to protect against evil thoughts and to sharpen the intelligence. Tibetan Buddhists use amethyst rosaries to enhance the peace and tranquility of meditation.  Many eastern cultures believe that amethyst has healing powers that can ease stress and calm negative emotions.

Aquamarine

 

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.  It is in the beryl family of gemstones.  From the light blue of the sky to the deep blue of the sea, aquamarines shine over an extraordinary range of light blue colours.  Women love aquamarines for their neutral blue shades which can complement any skin tone or eye color.  

 

Legends say that aquamarine is the treasure of mermaids, with the power to keep sailors safe at sea. In addition to calming the waves, aquamarine is also said to have a soothing influence on relationships.  

Blue Topaz

 

Blue topaz is the birthstone for December.  It's name is derived from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning fire.  This is because Blue Topaz was considered by ancient civilizations to have cooling properties.  It was even believed to cool fiery tempers and keep relationships serene and calm.

 

Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals.  While pure Topaz is colorless, minor changes of elements within the stone result in a variety of other colors, such as blue, pale green, red, yellow and pink.  The beautiful blue hue is created when the stone is heated or irradiated.  The three shades of Blue Topaz are Sky, Swiss and London Blue.

Citrine

 

Citrine is in the quartz family of gemstones and ranges in color from lemony yellow to dark amber.   Its name comes from the French for lemon, citron.  Since quartz is an abundant mineral, the gem-quality specimens typically have very good luster and excellent clarity. 

 

Citrine's sunny color is said to radiate positive energy.  It is known as the "success stone" because it is thought to promote prosperity and abundance.  Physically, citrine is beneficial for digestion, general health and eliminating nightmares and other sleep disturbances.  This radiant stone is said to carry the power of the sun and is excellent for overcoming depression, fears and phobias.

Diamond

 

Diamond is not only the hardest gemstone, it is in fact the hardest mineral on Earth.  It's brilliant fire and exceptional luster has made the diamond one of the most prized possessions in the world.  Diamond is the most popular choice for engagement rings and is the birthstone for April. 

 

Diamonds are judged according to the 4Cs: color, clarity, cut and carat.  For color and clarity, less is more.  Gems with the least amount of color and the fewest imperfections are the most rare and valuable.  The bigger the diamond, the higher its carat weight and the more it costs per carat.  Cut is arguably the most important value factor because the quality of a diamond's cut gives it its life and sparkle.

 

Dana Walden diamonds are exceptionally fine.  Each diamond is hand selected by a designer before being set into one of our creations.  Our diamonds are a minimum of G-H color, at least SI2 in clarity and feature an exceptional cut and polish.  All of our diamonds are certified conflict-free via Kimberley Process certification.

Garnet

 

Garnet is the birthstone for January, the zodiac gem for Aquarius, and the gem for the second anniversary.  Garnets symbolize loyalty and kindness.  To the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, garnet was a glossy red gem, bursting with fire.  Beautiful garnet jewelry have been retrieved during archeological digs, proving to be more than 5,000 years old.

 

Sapphire

Sapphire is the September birthstone, the gem of the fifth wedding anniversary, and the zodiac gem for Virgo.  Sapphire symbolizes fidelity and the soul.  In ancient times, a gift of a sapphire was a pledge of trust and loyalty.  This tradition makes sapphire a popular choice for engagement rings.

It's rare beauty and enduring strength made sapphire quite popular as a talisman among royalty.  A medieval historian wrote that kings wore the crystal to protect them from harm and to prevent jealousy among their court.  A sapphire worn to the signing of a treaty was believed would ensure a true reconciliation and prevent further bloodshed.

 

Dana Walden sapphires are of the finest quality and are offered in blue, yellow and pink hues.  Before their final polish, most sapphires are heated to almost 2,000 degrees in order to improve the color and clarity.  Heat enhancement is stable, does not require special care, and does not reduce the stone's value.

Iolite

 

When Leif Eriksson and the other legendary Viking explorers ventured far into the Atlantic, they relied on iolite.  Looking through a naturally polarizing iolite lens, they could determine the exact position of the sun to navigate safely to the new world and back. 

 

The property that made iolite so valuable to the Vikings is extreme pleochroism.  Iolite has different colors in different directions in the crystal.  A cube cut from iolite will be blue from one side, clear as water from the other, and a honey yellow from the top.  This unique attribute adds to the character and beauty of iolite, making it a wonderful choice for engagement rings.