Silver, Sapphires & Such

12/25/2019

Loose gems! Prices vary by type, quality, and size:

12/25/2019

The zircons have arrived.

Zircon is a naturally occuring crystal within the earth, not to be confused with cubic zirconia, which is man-made and has its own charms. But our focus here is naturally occurring gems.

Here is what minerals.net had to say about zircon:

"Zircon is an important gemstone of many colors, and is an historical gemstone used for thousands of years. It is sometimes looked upon as a cheap Diamond simulant, but in actuality it can be a valuable gem. Its color diversity is caused by traces of certain impurities, some of which are radioactive. Zircon gemstones containing radioactive element traces undergo a process called metamiction, in which their inner crystal structure becomes destroyed. These radioactive forms of Zircon must be heated to stabilize them for use as gems."

Zircon has all of the flash and fire of a diamond, but only has the hardness of an emerald. These are truly beautiful stones.

12/15/2019

The low cost rings were all donated to Barrio Dogs rescue. They help the dogs that were cast off and forgotten in the worst parts of Houston. Like all dogs, everywhere, they are perfectly lovely dogs, better than the people that threw them away, yet here they find themselves, living in rubble and trash.

It is my intent to donate to them some higher-end jewelry and loose gemstones in time for their Tenth Anniversary celebration.

Please check these wonderful folks with this amazing rescue out. And of course, if you can spare a few bucks to help feed the dogs, that is always appreciated.

Barrio Dogs is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to creating a better future for the animals and community.

12/07/2019

The paraibas have started arriving. I will be checking these guys for any inclusions, and probably send the two bigger ones to the GIA for certification. I have about 20 more due in.

These gems are so beautiful. It is almost ilke they caught the very essence of the sea in their color.

12/04/2019

Here is another aquamarine ring, set in .925 silver. Very dainty, and more of an every day ring. $75

12/03/2019

I will also be offering loose, genuine gemstones. Right now I have sapphires in hot pink, orange, blue, padparascha (peach), green, brown, yellow, and 1 color change. I also have black, and blue star sapphires. I have several color change alexandrite, and a few that don't change, turkish color change diaspore, and a few that don't change, garnets, color change garnets, emeralds, I have ruby and sapphire trapiches, and rough stones - which shows you the natural formation of the gem itself.

I have about 15 - 20 tourmalines coming in, in the next few weeks. There will be sea foam green ones from Brazil, and neon blue ones from Mozambique.

Later today, I will start getting pictures of stones I have, one at a time, so you get better look at them. All gems are big stones, as I don't believe in a ring that you have to squint at.

12/02/2019

This is a very nice amethyst ring, and casual enough for every day wear. Size 7. $125.