Product Features
- Gemstones may have been treated to improve their appearance or durability and may require special care.
- The natural properties and composition of mined gemstones define the unique beauty of each piece. The image may show slight differences to the actual stone in color and texture
- Each pair of earrings is packaged in an individual black box.
Product Description
Add sparkle and variety to your wardrobe with this set of five individually boxed sterling silver stud earrings, showcasing five different colored gemstones. Now you can wear a different pair of earrings for each day of the work week, or more closely match the colors of your couture. The set includes one pair each of generously sized peridot, blue topaz, garnet, citrine, and amethyst studs. The total combined weight of all ten gemstones is 8.25 carats.
- The 6.67mm round peridot studs have a striking lime green color and a total weight of 1.6 carats. These "evening emeralds" as the Romans called them, are gorgeous in both natural and artificial light.
- The 6.97mm by 5.20mm faceted ovals of blue topaz are a beautiful sky blue and have a total weight of 1.9 carats. December's birthstone is perfectly complemented by the cool gleam of polished silver.
- The pear-shaped garnets are a deep brownish-red. They measure 7.13mm by 5.97mm and have a total weight of 1.6 carats. The birthstone for those born in January, garnet boasts a notable brilliance due to its high refraction of light.
- The rectangular grapefruit-yellow citrines measure 7.95mm high by 5.63mm wide and have a total weight of 1.9 carats. Named for the French word for lemon (citron), this gemstone was revered as a gift from the sun in ancient times and is one of two birthstones for November.
- The trillion-shaped amethysts measure 6.40mm high by 7.09mm wide and have a total weight of 1.25 carats. They display a captivating light purple color. Amethyst has long been prized by royalty because of its regal hue. It is the birthstone for those born in February.
The five pairs of gems are cradled in sterling silver wire baskets with decorative scroll-like curves and a beautiful polished finish. They are featured on posts with butterfly friction backs.
About Gemstones
Color
Jewelers describe the color of a gemstone in terms of three characteristics: hue, saturation, and tone. A gemstone's basic color is its hue, and those with purer hues (for emeralds, green; for sapphires, blue; and for rubies, red) are generally considered more valuable. Often, however, a hint of another color can be detected. Saturation is a measure of the intensity or purity of a gem's hue and is determined by the degree to which gray or brown hues mute its defining color. Value tends to increase with saturation, so a fully saturated purplish blue sapphire may well be more expensive than a muted pure blue one. The tone of a gemstone, a measurement of its lightness or darkness, is usually given as light, medium-light, medium, medium-dark, or dark.
Clarity
A flawless gemstone is rare and expensive. As with diamonds, most gemstones have inclusions, or tiny mineral flaws, that can be seen under magnification or by the careful eye. Make sure that any inclusions in the stone do not penetrate deeply into the gem, as this may cause it to break or crack. Clarity grades range from VVS (very, very slightly included) to I3, in which inclusions are prominent and severely affect the gemstone's beauty.
Cut
A gemstone's cut refers to its proportions and symmetry. In making a gemstone look appealing--the stone should be symmetrical in all dimensions so that it will appear balanced, and that its facets will reflect light evenly. Color should also be taken into account when cutting for optical efficiency. If a stone's color is highly saturated, a shallow cut will allow it to pass more light, while a deeper cut may increase the vividness of a less saturated gem. There is no generally accepted grading system for gemstone cut.
Size
Though a gemstone's weight is usually given in carats, this may not give an accurate idea of its size, because different types of stone have different densities. Therefore, a 1-carat sapphire or ruby will be smaller than a 1-carat emerald, though they have the same weight, because sapphires and rubies (both a form of the mineral corundum) are more dense than emeralds.
Gemstones can also be measured in dimensions (diameter, length, and width). It is important to know the dimensions to ensure that the gemstone weight will be visible and well-proportioned in the setting.
Gemstone Treatment
Gemstones are often treated to enhance color and fill cracks. Please note: if a gemstone has been treated, this information will be provided in the specifications on the stone's product detail page.
There are various accepted techniques, depending on the type of stone:
Oils and resins are frequently used to fill surface-reaching fissures in emeralds and rubies. This process is not permanent, however; if a treated ruby or emerald is subjected to high heat, the filler may leak out of the stone.
Sapphires and rubies are often heated in a kiln or furnace to enhance their color. Such heat treatment, which is considered permanent, has been used for centuries.
Lightly colored sapphires may also undergo diffusion treatment. This is done by heating a stone in the presence of coloring elements such as titanium or iron, which causes a thin layer of color to be diffused into the stone's surface. Because this color layer is so thin, a diffusion-treated sapphire should not be re-polished.
Gemstone Care
To clean gemstone jewelry, first wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any dirt. Emeralds require only the use of a soft cloth, as cleaners may damage these soft gems. Sapphires and rubies can be cleaned with either an ultrasonic cleaner or a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water, with a soft brush. Store your gemstone jewelry in a soft cloth pouch or jewelry case so it does not touch other pieces in your collection. As with all jewelry, normal wear and tear can loosen prongs and settings, so it is a good idea to have it checked by a professional jeweler who can make repairs as needed.
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