Gemstones

Guarantees that what you buy is exactly what’s advertised are only as good as the integrity of sellers who take your money, but knowing some of the warning signs can put you in enough of a questioning frame of mind to discover the truth about gemstones before you put down the cas

The Mohs Scale classifies minerals by their hardness. Find out how your favorite gemstone compares to diamond, the hardest mineral in the scale.

Misleading names are often used to market "gemstone" jewelry to unsuspecting buyers. These translations help you understand the material behind the name.

Birthstone jewelry is always popular, and it's one of the most-searched for items on the About Jewelry Web site. You'll find a little bit of everything here, from pendants to rings to birthstone necklaces, all grouped to make it easy for you to compare features and prices.

Most gemstones used in jewelry have been treated to improve their appearance. Treated gemstones are usually a less expensive alternative to natural, high quality stones, but be sure you understand the treatments before you buy.

Some of the words used in jewelry ads can be confusing, because gemstones are labeled as natural, genuine, synthetic, simulated, treated -- or a combination of those terms. Do you know the differences?

Call them what you like: fake gemstones, imitations, or simulated gems -- they all have one thing in common, they can look just like the real thing, but they do not have any of the physical characteristics of a real gemstone.

Shop for a gemstone by color and you'll discover there are lots of affordable choices. Red doesn't always mean ruby and blue doesn't always mean sapphire. Here's a list of colorful gemstones to consider the next time you want to shop by color.

Certain gemstones have been linked to dates of birth for centuries. The specific gems and the folklore about them differed from one group of people to another, but they all believed that wearing your birthstone brought good luck. This article offers a snapshot look at modern birthstones, with links to more reading.

It's fun to participate in online auctions, but buying jewelry sight unseen from a total stranger can be risky. Here are some tips to help you determine which items and sellers you would like to learn more about and which ones you want to avoid.