Looking for the perfect August birthday gift for that special someone? Look no further than Service Jewelry & Repair! August’s birthstone is peridot (which you can learn more about here), and we have peridot jewelry for all budgets and tastes. Not in the market for jewelry? We’ve picked out some great watches too!
Peridot Jewelry
Kit Heath Peridot Silver Earrings – $45
Created by UK designer Kit Heath, these adorable sterling silver earrings make a perfect–and affordable–birthstone gift! There’s even a matching necklace!
This stunning Rolex features 18kt gold accents, 10 diamonds on its jet black dial, plus diamonds all around the bezel–truly a show-stopping birthday gift!
Happy birthday, January babies! Your lovely birthstone is garnet. Lets take a look at what makes this precious stone so special.
An Ancient Adornment
The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word granatus, which means “pomegranate.” Though this gem is usually found in its deep red variety (hence the name), it actually comes in orange, yellow, purple and even green too!
Artifacts featuring red garnets have been found across the ancient world. From Egyptian necklaces to Roman signet rings to the favorite adornments of medieval clergy and nobles, it’s easy to see that garnets were a highly valued gem.
Gorgeous garnet and diamond ring in 14kt white gold – available here!
This trend continued into more modern eras too, especially among the Victorians. Lovely red garnets were used as embellishments for everything from hair combs to choker-style necklaces. During this time, most garnets were mined in Bohemia, which was famous for these exquisite gems.
Today, the vast majority are mined in Africa, but believe it or not, Southern California was once know for producing them too! In fact, various deposits are scattered across the globe, all the way from Afghanistan to Brazil.
Care & Keeping
Interestingly, not all garnets have the same hardness rating on the Mohs scale. These beauties can range anywhere between 6.5 to 7.5, making them a stone that requires a bit more care. That’s why you’ll often find garnets set in earrings, pendants or fashion rings rather than engagement rings. That way your garnet is not subjected to the various bumps and scrapes of daily wear.
All that being said, it’s super easy to clean garnets. Warm soapy water and a soft brush will get the job done at home, or you can use an ultrasonic cleaner (so long as you’re sure your garnet is not fractured/fracture filled). However, always be sure to store your garnet jewelry away from other jewelry. Harder stones (like diamonds, rubies, or sapphires) can scratch it, while garnets themselves can scratch softer stones (like pearls or opal).
January Gift Guide
Looking for the perfect birthday gift for that special someone? Here’s a small selection of a few of our favorite garnet pieces.
Sterling Silver Garnet Studs
These dainty earrings are an affordable birthstone gift for that special someone–just $142!
Can you believe it’s already September?! Summer may be on its way out, but we have just the thing to chase your blues away–a sapphire birthstone gift! If you want to learn more about this amazing birthstone, check out our sapphire blog post, then take a look at some of our favorite pieces below!
10kt 5.0ct Created Blue Sapphire & 1.2ctw Created White Sapphire Ring
With a stunning 5.0ct blue sapphire at the center & a price tag of only $600, you simply cannot go wrong with this ring!
14kt Yellow Gold Pink Sapphire & .25ctw Diamond Ring
Are blue sapphires not your style? Don’t worry, they come in almost every color! Check out this stunning oval cut pink sapphire ring, surrounded by two diamond halos!
Ranging from grassy green to yellowish green, peridot is the captivating birthstone of August. For thousands of years, peridot’s unique green hues have been treasured—and often mistaken for other gems! Today, we’ll learn a little bit about where peridot comes from, what makes it special, and how to care for it.
From the Sky to the Earth
Peridot is found across the world in places like China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and here the United States. Arizona is the main source in America, but Hawaii is home to the famous “Peridot Beach,” which awes visitors with its luminous green sands.
Most of these peridot deposits were formed under extreme conditions by the earth itself, but did you know that some came from meteorites? That’s right–some deposits of gem quality peridot actually traveled all the way from outer space!
14kt White Gold Peridot & Diamond Estate Ring
A stunning pear-shaped natural peridot set in white gold and surrounded by diamonds.
No matter its origins, peridot has been a favorite gem for thousands of years, but its various green hues have also caused confusion. Lighter peridot has often been confused for green topaz, while its deeper green shades have been mistaken for emerald. In fact, many famous collections of “emeralds” actually turned out to be collections of peridot!
Like many gemstones, ancient people believed peridot would protect them from evil spirits and nightmares. While we may not believe that today, peridot’s allure has remained unchanged. In addition to being August’s birthstone, peridot is also given to celebrate the 16th wedding anniversary.
Care & Keeping
Peridot is around 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means it’s a bit softer than other favorites like sapphires or rubies. While you might not want to choose peridot for an everyday ring, it’s an excellent choice for earrings, pendants, and formal wear rings.
14kt White Gold Peridot Earrings
Perfect for everyday wear, these oval cut peridot earrings are set in classic white gold.
Not only will you want to store peridot away from other gems (it could be scratched by tougher stones like diamonds), you’ll also want to take extra care when cleaning. Never use a steamer or ultrasonic cleaner, as these processes can permanently damage your stone! A gentle combination of warm water and mild soap will do the job just fine, but we can always do a thorough cleaning for you at our showrooms or corporate office!
If you’re in the market for the perfect August birthday gift or simply a peridot lover, why not drop by our showrooms and take a look? Or, if you’d rather shop from the comfort of your own home, take a look at our full collection online here! We hope to serve you soon!
If you were born in July, your birthstone is one of the longest-loved gemstones of all: the ruby. Named for its gorgeous red hues—the latin word for red was ruber—this gem has been treasured for thousands of years. Let’s take a look at why it was deemed so special and why it continues to captivate today!
The King of Precious Stones
Breath-taking ruby pendant crafted from gold and accented by diamonds – available here!
All across the world, references to rubies can be found dating back millennia. In ancient India, rubies were known as “the king of precious stones.” In the Bible, rubies were associated with wisdom and beauty. To others, these fiery stones were believed to bring peace and even rebirth its wearer.
Though these associations may have faded in hearts and minds of people today, the ruby’s allure certainly hasn’t! In fact, rubies can still command the highest per-carat price of ANY colored stone—including colored diamonds!
The Most Valuable Form of Corundum
Absolutely stunning two-tone engagement ring featuring a high-quality ruby at its center – available here!
Did you know that rubies and sapphires are made of the same mineral called corundum? Though their mineral make-up is virtually identical, tiny amounts of trace elements make all the difference! Believe it or not, a little bit of chromium is all it takes to produce those famous red to pinkish hues—turning a would-be sapphire into a ruby!
So, why are those red hues more valuable than all the others? As usual, it’s all about rarity, and high-quality rubies above one carat are extraordinarily rare. That’s why certain treatments to improve the color and appearance of less rare rubies—say, one that’s light pink or one with an abundance of inclusions—have become commonplace.
The most common of these treatment is the application of extreme heat. Amazingly, temperatures of up to 3300°F can turn a pale stone into a vibrant one! Similarly, “lead glass filling” can be used to turn a highly fractured ruby into one that appears quite transparent, allowing more light to pass through the stone to show off its gorgeous facets.
Caring for Your Ruby
Stunning ruby & diamond wedding set – available at our Brentwood showroom!
With a hardness rating of 9.0 on the Mohs scale, rubies are exceptionally durable stones that are well-suited to daily wear. However, it’s important to know if your ruby has received any of the the treatments described above so that you can properly care for it.
For example, if your ruby has undergone the fracture-filling process, you should never use an ultrasonic cleaner, and you’ll want to keep it away from any sort of acid (i.e., lemon juice). That said, soap and warm water is perfectly safe and more than enough to keep your ruby shining. In fact, simply using a damp cloth will work wonders, too! When in doubt about how your stone has been treated, always play it safe!
Why not stop by our stores and check out our collection of ruby jewelry in person or browse right here online!
June babies are lucky enough to get two very unique birthstones to choose from: pearl & alexandrite! You’ve probably seen a pearl before, but you may not have seen an alexandrite up close and personal. Let’s take a look at these gorgeous stones and see which one you would choose (or, why not choose both?)!
Pearl
Unlike most gemstones, pearls actually grow within a living organism! When some type of irritant—like a piece of sand—enters the shell of an oyster, a pearl can begin to form. Layer by layer, the oyster covers this irritant with nacre, which is the iridescent material pearls are famous for. Since this is actually quite rare, pearls are now cultured on farms across the world to encourage this process.
A creamy white pearl surrounded by diamonds – available here!
While nacre is stunningly gorgeous, this special material is in need of extra care and protection. Pearls are only a 2.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness (for reference, a diamond is a 10), so they are very vulnerable to bumps and scratches which can permanently damage the nacre. It’s for that very reason that pearls are commonly fashioned into necklaces, bracelets or earrings, because these types of jewelry are less likely to result in wear & tear. Nonetheless, pearls can definitely be fashioned into rings as well—like the beautiful example above—they just need a little extra care!
Though it’s always a good idea to remove your rings when washing your hands or doing manual work, this is especially important for pearls. In fact, when it comes to cleaning your pearl jewelry, you won’t usually need to use water at all! Instead, wiping gently with an extra soft towel is typically sufficient. To learn more about care, cleaning and buying tips for pearls, check out our article here!
Alexandrite
“Emerald by day, ruby by night” – that’s how the finest alexandrite has been described since its discovery in the 1800s. Why? Because alexandrite’s color actually changes based on the light! This awesome quality makes alexandrite quite rare and one of the more expensive colored gemstones available today, making its lab-created variety an attractive alternative. We have a few pieces of lab-created alexandrite at our Hendersonville showroom, but we can always order its natural variety too!
Depending on the light, fine alexandrite like this lab-created stone can range from green to purple to red!
Alexandrite’s color-changing ability isn’t the only thing that makes it desirable, though—this stone is also very durable, coming in at 8.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. That makes it absolutely perfect for daily wear without having to worry too much about accidental damage. Plus, cleaning your alexandrite jewelry is a breeze—warm, soapy water can usually get the job done, but ultrasonic cleaners are safe too!
So, which of these beauties would you choose? Lustrous pearls or color-changing alexandrite? We’d love to show you both in person, so why not stop by our showrooms? Alexandrite is in stock at our Hendersonville store, but we have all kinds of pearls at both stores!
Emerald has long been treasured for its unique and beautiful green hue. Indeed, the name “emerald” comes from the Greek word smaragdus meaning “green gem”. Today, we’ll take a look at this captivating stone and see why it makes the perfect gift for May babies!
Ancient & Royal
A diamond and emerald ring crafted from white gold – available here!
Did you know Cleopatra had an affinity for emeralds? In fact, she’s only one of many royals throughout history who fell in love with this fascinating gem. From the Inca emperors to the monarchs of Spain, emeralds have been the focal point of royal regalia for centuries.
Like many gems, emeralds were long believed to endow their wearer with special protection or even magical powers. For example, in Ancient Rome, emeralds were believed to soothe tired eyes and weary souls. Believe it or not, they may have been onto something—modern science has found the color green to aid in stress relief and has even experimented with its use in treatment for migraine headaches!
Caring for Emerald
A stunning diamond and emerald pendant set in white gold – available here!
Part of what makes each and every emerald so unique is their proclivity for inclusions (minerals, fractures or “imperfections” trapped within the stone). It’s exceedingly rare to find an emerald with little to no inclusions, because emeralds are one of the softer precious gems. With a 7.5 rating on the Mohs scale, emeralds are prone to fractures and scratching, giving each stone its very own signature look.
Because of this quality, most emeralds go through a few treatments before they make their way into a piece of treasured jewelry. For example, fracture filling is very commonly used to improve the apparent clarity of the stone, and paler emeralds are sometimes dyed to bring out that coveted green hue.
With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why emerald jewelry requires a little extra love. For example, you should never use harsh chemicals, high temperatures or ultrasonic cleaners to care for your emerald treasures. Even wearing a filled emerald while washing the dishes could cause damage, so it’s always best to remove your emerald jewelry before doing cooking or cleaning.
Nonetheless, emeralds make timeless treasures and are well-worth the effort. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gemstone, a natural emerald is hard to beat! If you love that green hue but prefer crystal-clear gems, a lab created emerald would be perfect!
We’d love to help you find the perfect emerald gift for that special someone (or for you!). Why not pop into our Hendersonville store and see what we have on display? Or, take a look online from the comfort of your own home! And don’t forget—if you don’t see why you like, we can always custom design the piece you’re dreaming of!
The birthstone for April babies is probably the best known gemstone of all time: diamond. Let’s take a look at what makes this timeless stone such a classic–plus a perfect gift!
A Tough Treasure
There’s no denying that diamonds are uniquely beautiful. No matter a diamond’s hue–ranging from fancy color to nearly colorless—no other gem sparkles quite like a diamond.
While that fact alone makes diamonds an obvious choice for jewelry-making, it’s far from all this wonderful stone has to offer! In fact, probably the best known quality of a diamond is its unsurpassed hardness, reigning at the very top of the Mohs scale (a perfect 10). For this reason, diamonds not only make excellent tools in industrial settings, but also extremely durable treasures, able to be enjoyed by generations to come.
On a day-to-day basis, a diamond’s hardness brings peace of mind, too. Though you always want to be careful with your jewelry, diamonds simply aren’t as fragile as other gemstones, which makes care and cleaning a breeze. Warm soap and water or ultrasonic cleaners are great, easy choices that will bring out that famous sparkle!
Get the Look for Less
Though diamonds come in nearly every color of the rainbow, it’s the classic white variety that is associated with April. If you’re looking for a more affordable option or simply prefer other gemstones, cubic zirconia (CZ), white sapphire, and even moissanite make stunning diamond alternatives!
Cubic zirconia & silver heart-shaped pendant – available here!
Cubic zirconia is the most affordable of the bunch, offering its own unique sparkle as well as a hardness grade of 8 on the Mohs scale. White sapphire—particularly the lab-created variety—would be your next most affordable option. Sapphire boasts a hardness grade of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it great for daily wear! Then there’s moissanite, a synthetic stone that’s growing in popularity due to its fiery sparkle and impressive hardness, coming it at 9.5 on the Mohs scale.
Whichever you choose, a piece of birthstone jewelry is always a great gift–or a great way to treat yourself! Though our store locations are temporarily closed, why not browse our collection online?!
When it comes to birthstones, March babies have two distinct choices: aquamarine and bloodstone! Let’s dive into what makes these stones unique.
Aquamarine
When you look into aquamarine, it’s like gazing into crystal clear waters–and that’s precisely how it got its name! With hues ranging from deep green-blue to light aqua, it’s easy to see why “aquamarine” was named for the Latin word for seawater.
This aquamarine ring by EFFY is a stunning example of that coveted crystal-clear hue – available here!
For this reason, ancient sailors came to believe that it could keep them safe at sea, and aquamarine’s reputation for protection has followed it all the way into the modern era. Not only is it known as a calming charm, it has also come to symbolize purity of spirit and soul.
The two largest sources of aquamarine are Brazil and Pakistan, but this lovely stone is also found throughout Africa, Asia and even in parts of the United States!
Another stunning example of crystal-clear aquamarine – available here!
When it comes to durability, aquamarine is tough enough for daily wear–coming in at 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs scale–which makes it perfect for gifts meant to last a lifetime and beyond.
Aquamarine is also super easy to clean–just a bit of mild dish soap and warm water will usually do the trick, but ultrasonic cleaners are typically safe too.
Bloodstone
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is the lesser known birthstone of March, but it has a long and fascinating history of its own. A type of chalcedony, bloodstone is typically dark green with red inclusions of iron, giving it the appearance of being speckled with blood.
Believe it or not, ancient Christians believed this stone held religious significance, as the blood red spots were seen to represent the blood of Christ.
Outside of Christianity, bloodstone was thought to give the wearer strength and youthfulness and is still sometimes used as a lucky charm for modern athletes.
Though bloodstones have been found all across the earth, almost all that is sold today comes from India. Often times it can be found as pebbles in riverbeds!
Unlike aquamarine, bloodstone is quite soft–with a rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale–but this makes it perfect for carving or other unique uses. It can also be cleaned with warm water and bit of mild soap, but extra care should be taken to ensure bloodstone is not exposed to extreme temperatures or scratched.
Though we don’t have bloodstone jewelry on display, we can always order or custom-design a bloodstone piece just for you!
Stop by either of our store locations to see our aquamarine collection or to find the perfect bloodstone piece! We hope to serve you soon!
For December birthdays, there are three amazing gemstones to choose from. Traditionally, the blue variety of tanzanite, turquoise and zircon have been chosen for December, but there are actually many different hues and shades available for each. Let’s take a look at these three stones and see which one is right for you or that special someone!
Turquoise
This amazing stone—ranging from true blue to grassy green—has been treasured for thousands of years, everywhere from Ancient Egypt to Native America. Carved, polished and worn as adornments, this gem was considered to bring good health and good fortune to those who possessed it.
Unlike many popular gemstones, turquoise is often totally opaque and can feature black or brown veining (called matrix). Matrix designs show mother nature’s hand at work, giving these pieces of turquoise a one-of-a-kind look.
Some turquoise, like the polished one in this EFFY ring, feature a consistent blue color with no matrix – available here!
Turquoise has been mined all over the world—from the hills of Iran to the mountains of China to the American Southwest—and is rated between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It’s relative softness is precisely what made this stone so perfect for intricate carving, but a little extra care is in order to maintain its beauty.
Like most fine jewelry, you’d want to remove turquoise before doing housework or gardening, but you want to be careful when you clean the stone too. For example, you should never clean turquoise jewelry with an ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. High heat can damage and discolor the stone, so it’s best to stick with warm soapy water. Luckily, that’s easy to do at home!
Tanzanite
Most gemstones have been objects of fascination for thousands of years—but did you know that tanzanite was discovered in the 20th century? Found in the 1960s, this stunning gem was named after its place of origin: Tanzania, where it continues to be mined exclusively.
With velvety hues ranging from rich blue to pale violet, tanzanite ranks between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. That means some extra care is needed when handling and cleaning this precious gem. Like turquoise, ultrasonic cleaners and steamers should not be used on tanzanite, as high heat and damage or even crack the stone.
This white gold ring features a deep purple tanzanite set within a protective bezel – available here!
Earrings and pendants are very popular settings because they can shield tanzanite from abrasion. However, if you’d love to have a tanzanite ring, try to find one with a protective setting—like the bezel-style ring above. These settings will give you extra peace of mind and help keep the stone in stunning condition.
Zircon
Zircon has long been associated with good health and was even thought to promote deep sleep. This stone can be found in a rainbow of hues or even be completely colorless. In fact, colorless zircon is so stunning that it’s often been mistaken for a diamond! However, zircon should not be confused with cubic zirconia (a synthetic stone sometimes used as a diamond simulant).
Unlike cubic zirconia, zircon occurs naturally and can be found in Sri Lanka and Australia. In fact, zircon is earth’s oldest mineral! It ranks between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and like December’s other birthstones, you should handle it with a bit of extra care. If set into earrings or a pendant, zircon should be quite safe for daily wear, but you’d want to take a zircon ring off before working with your hands.
Check out these imitation blue zircon earrings – available here!
When it comes to cleaning the stone, you shouldn’t use ultrasonic cleaners or steamers. Not only can high heat damage zircon, but it can also change its color! As always, warm soapy water is an easy, safe way to keep this gem sparkling.
So, there you have it—December’s three amazing birthstones! Why not browse our collection of jewelry featuring these gems online or in our stores? We hope to see you soon!
Of all the birthstones, November babies have the most variety to choose from! Not only is citrine an option—a warm, yellow to orange colored gem—but all of topaz’s colors as well! Let’s dive into the similarities and differences between these two stunning stones—and maybe help you decide which one is the right choice for you or that special someone!
Citrine
Citrine may have gotten its name from the French word citron, which means “lemon,” but history isn’t very clear on this. In fact, citrine’s past is sometimes hard to trace because it was often misidentified as orange or yellow topaz! Indeed, all yellow gemstones were simply assumed to be topaz for a long time, but citrine is actually quite distinct.
Stunning 14kt white gold ring featuring 5.50ct oval cut citrine with diamond accents – available here!
Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, which is mined in places like Bolivia, Spain and Mexico, but much of the citrine that is available for purchase today is not naturally occurring. Instead, amethyst (another variety of quartz) is subjected to heat, which will change its purple hue to a sunny yellow-orange! This helps keep citrine abundant, making it an affordable option even at larger carat sizes. Plus, since this gem ranks in at 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness with good toughness, it’s safe for daily wear!
Topaz
For centuries, topaz—specifically the yellow variety—was thought to calm its wearer, dispelling anger and helping to bring about a long life. Indeed, as mentioned above, all yellow gems were once thought to be topaz, and topaz’s other hues were mistaken for other gems too! When modern science came on the scene, gems began to be identified by their chemical makeup, bringing newfound appreciation for this particular stone.
Gorgeous 10k white gold ring featuring three emerald cut blue topaz – available here!
Believe it or not, pure topaz is totally colorless, but it can be tinted by any number of impurities—in the lab or in nature—to yield a rainbow of different colors. One of the most popular shades of topaz today is light blue or aqua, which very rarely occurs in nature. Instead, colorless topaz is subjected to irradiation to produce that particular hue, making it available at an affordable price.
Topaz actually ranks higher on the Mohs scale than citrine—graded as an 8 vs. a 7—but it’s not quite as tough. Some additional care is needed to prevent chipping and cracking of topaz, because intense heat or ultrasonic cleaners can damage the stone and even fade its color. Nonetheless, warm soapy water is safe and easy to use on this beautiful stone.
Take a look at our stunning line of citrine and topaz jewelry or visit one of our stores to see it in person!
October babies are lucky enough to get two birthstones to choose from: opal & pink tourmaline! Opal got its name from the Greek word opallios, which means “to see a change in color,” and it’s easy to see why! Thanks to its composition of microscopic silica spheres, a rainbow of colors appears when this gemstone is exposed to light.
There are many different types of opals that range from black to white and even red (known as a fire opal), each believed to bring good luck and protection to the wearer.
Gorgeous created white opal set in sterling silver with diamond accents – available here!
The mysteriously beautiful opal is considered a delicate stone, coming in at 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and can crack under high heat, so a little extra care is in order when it comes to wearing and cleaning this stone.
Though most would agree that opals are worth the extra effort, October’s other birthstone—pink tourmaline—is more forgiving with a Mohs scale ranking of 7 to 7.5.
Associated by the ancients with artistic pursuits, tourmaline derives its name from the Sinhalese words “tura mali,” meaning “stone of mixed colors.” Indeed, the pink variety associated with October is only one of the many colors tourmaline can be! Different traces of minerals and elements lend this unique gemstone its hues, and the pink version comes from manganese.
Tourmaline is mined in many areas of the world like Brazil, Mozambique, Afghanistan and even the United States in Maine and California, while about 95% of opal is mined in the Outback of Australia—though Nevada and Idaho have some too!
Stunning natural pink tourmaline (sometimes called rubellite) ring with diamond accents – available here!
As always, modern technology gives us the option of creating both opal and tourmaline in the lab, which is a great option for the eco-conscious shopper or those looking for a flawless stone at a fraction of the price. Not to be confused with imitation stones, lab-created gemstones are chemically, optically and physically identical to their naturally formed counterparts.
Take a look at our collection of opal and tourmaline jewelry right here on our website or visit one of our stores to see it all in person! We hope to see you soon!
For over a century, sapphire has been recognized as September’s official birthstone. The name “sapphire” comes from the Latin sapphirus and the Greek sappheiros, which both mean “blue stone,” though the gem comes in many other colors, too.
Sapphires have been treasured and used in jewelry making for thousands of years, and it’s no mystery why! Not only is this gem stunningly beautiful, but it also scores a 9 on the Mohs scale—only one rank below the diamond—making it tough enough to wear daily without having to worry about chipping or scratching the stone. But it wasn’t just superb durability that attracted the ancients to sapphires—it was also something more mystical.
To the ancient Greeks and Romans, blue sapphires were believed to provide protection to those who wore them. Similarly, in Medieval Europe, they were thought to be cures for various illnesses and ailments, but some cultures went even further. According to the ancient Persians, the earth itself rested upon a giant blue sapphire which gave the sky its signature hue.
Blue sapphire & diamond ring in 10k white gold – available here!
Though such beliefs may have fallen out of fashion, this gorgeous stone never has. From royal robes to stunning engagement rings, the blue sapphire is an enduring favorite found around the world. Major mines are found in Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, but smaller sources have been discovered in Australia, Madagascar and even the USA, hidden deep within the mountains of Montana.
Of course, thanks to modern technology, sapphires don’t always have to come from the ground; they can be grown in the lab! Lab-created sapphires are chemically, physically and optically identical to those that were formed within the earth. These are a great option for eco-conscious shoppers or for those looking for a flawless stone at a fraction of the price.
