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Sparkling green emeralds are the birthstone for the month of May. Coveted and celebrated since the ancient world, this precious gemstone was once more valuable and sought after than diamonds. They have held their allure throughout the centuries, and even today are one of the most highly prized and expensive precious gemstones. If you or someone you love is born in the month of May, read on to learn more about this gorgeous gemstone.
Emerald Birthstone History
The emerald gemstone has been part of the human language since the ancient Greeks. The word emerald comes from the Greek ’smaragdos,’ which means green gem. Emeralds were used in jewelry and trade in many cultures during history, including Greece, Hebrew, Egyptian, French and English civilizations. Emerald became the May birthstone in the early 20th century, and is both the traditional and modern gemstone for May birthdays. Emeralds come from the mineral beryl, and range from a 7.5 to an 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale. This gives them durability, but they are also prone to superfine fissures and cracks that can make them more brittle than other stones that have a 7.5 hardness.
The finest quality emeralds are considered to come from Colombia, although they are today sourced in many different locations including the United States, Russia, Italy, India, France, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa and more. Even though emeralds are found in so many different places, such small amounts are found that the gemstone is still extremely rare.
May Birthstone Jewelry Gifts
Emerald birthstone jewelry makes a stunning choice for a present. We have a lovely selection of emerald jewelry, but recommend these two popular and affordable emerald gemstone gifts:
Emerald and Diamond Stackable Ring
Our emerald and diamond stackable ring is crafted in solid 14K white gold, and features four emeralds and three diamonds. You can buy one as a subtle piece of jewelry, buy one every year for three years to create a gorgeous stacked look, or have different family members each buy one ring to create a stackable look for her birthday.
Emerald Stud Earrings
Stud earrings are a classic gift, but the bright green color of our emerald studs make them more exciting than simple diamond studs. If the birthday girl has hazel or green eyes, emerald stud earrings will help bring out the color in her eyes, too.
Gold is climbing in the markets once again.  Our favorite precious metal was at $1173.40 per ounce earlier this week and, although it has since slid to $1168.10 by mid-week, the trend seems obvious that people are both concerned about the economy, markets and their investment dollar AND feeling they have enough money to actually do some investing. We are definitely “feeling the love.”
Why is this going on now? Because some of the world’s currencies are slipping. The euro, for instance, fell to its lowest point against the U.S. dollar this week. Greece’s economy is teetering on chaos, with the government’s debt surpassing its ability to pay it off. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are stepping in with a loan package for the Mediterranean nation that will help the country return from the crisis, but the damage is done. Greece will be borrowing money for many years to come at a much higher rate than previously paid.
When people get nervous about the economy, the state of the world markets and their own financial security, they turn to gold. The price goes up as demand rises and supply tightens. That’s nothing new. But how much higher will this go?  There’s some good and bad news on that.
Bad news for those of you who are interested in selling and good news for those of you who are considering a Mother’s Day gift, an engagement and wedding set or just a personal reward for having survived the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1920’s.  Gold probably will not go much higher at this time.
The reason for that is because the U.S. economy is recovering and in spite of everything that we learned during this recent economic downshift, we remain the world’s biggest consumers. We buy all kinds of gadgets and electronics. We like new cars. Our houses are large. Our lives are large. And although slowly shrinking, our debt is generally large, too. Â
So why the expected flatline?  The eye is on the United States Federal Reserve Bank.  As the economic recovery gets underway in the U.S., the Fed is expected to increase interest rates, which had been at all-time lows. When the Fed raises the rates, the dollar will likely see a boost and if gold follows history, when the dollar strengthens, the price of gold usually will fall. Â
Good news for the economy. Good news for gold retailers. Good news for gold buyers.  We hope you’re ready to “feel the love” for gold once again.
Gemstone solitaire rings are among the most versatile pieces of jewelry. The beauty is in their simplicity, which gives them the ability to be worn with just about anything. Always on the lookout for great pieces of quality jewelry to offer to our customers, oranges of Gold is proud to introduce our eye-catching line of gemstone solitaire rings.
Not only do our gemstone rings come in an array of different precious and semi-precious gems, they also come in different settings and carats as well. This makes it super easy for the fashion lover – or someone who wants to give a great gift to their favorite fashion lover – to essentially customize their ideal gemstone solitaire ring. White gold lovers who love big, dramatic gemstones can have a white gold band set with a large aquamarine gemstone, and yellow gold afficionados who prefer the understated look can snap up a stunning sapphire solitaire.
The gemstone solitaire rings give off a fun pop of color against a spare setting and simple band to create a modern, vibrant look. Some of our personal favorites include the warm and summery citrine solitaire set in a yellow gold band, and the London blue topaz set in icy white gold. But good looks aside, there are technical reasons why our gemstone solitaire rings are so special and so coveted – namely, all the gemstones used in our rings are all large, quality, AAA rated gems. It’s the gemological equivalent of possessing both brains and beauty – and we’re proud that they’re ours to offer.
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Apples of Gold is known for our selection of beautiful, affordable diamond engagement rings and wedding bands. We love when we can help a couple find their perfect wedding ring, which is why it gives us great joy to offer such a variety of high quality options. With wedding season just around the corner, we thought we’d share some of the top selling diamond engagement rings of 2010:
3/4 Carat Three Stone Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Our three stone princess cut diamond engagement ring is a stunner with an unbelievable price tag. The beautiful vintage-inspired design of the engagement ring is likely responsible for its popularity, as is the high quality center stone diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds that compliment the overall design nicely. For couples who love this design but want to go a little bigger with the bling, this princess cut diamond engagement ring also comes in a one carat diamond version. To go all out, consider the one carat version set in sparkling platinum instead of white gold. Whichever you choose, there really is no way to go wrong with this lovely, classic diamond engagement ring.
Art Deco Half Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Stylish Art Deco design combined with a sparkling half carat diamond center stone make this engagement ring a favorite among our couples. The swirling petal and flower motif is delicately etched onto the band of the ring, creating an intricate backdrop for the simplicity of the diamond center stone. The juxtaposition of the simple diamond solitaire against the ornate Art Deco band is a study in contrast, which is what makes this design so special. Our Art Deco diamond engagement ring also comes in a budget-friendly 1/4 carat size, as well as a stunning 1 carat center stone size. For nontraditional couples who are seeking a gorgeous, unique diamond engagement ring, there is a beautiful black diamond version of our Art Deco ring that is a perfect pick.
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Celtic wedding bands are a tremendously popular choice thanks to their symbolic meanings. Though the interpretation of the Celtic knots and designs has changed over the centuries, there are a few of the symbols that have stood the test of time. The infinity knot is one of these classic Celtic symbols whose meaning is very clear.
The unending pattern of the Celtic knot is looped in an hourglass shape that symbolizes a continuous, forever lasting bond. Because of this, a Celtic infinity knot wedding band is a powerful symbol of the lifelong bond a man and woman create on their wedding day. By committing to each other for eternity, a couple makes the promise that they will spend their forever together; a promise that is symbolized by the never-ending infinity symbol.
Our Celtic blue titanium wedding band features the distinct, simple infinity knot design that stands for the principle of eternity. This popular wedding band is crafted from titanium and decorated with an engraved, blue titanium oxide Celtic infinity knot for a striking appearance. For couples who love the look of a Celtic titanium infinity ring but prefer a more subdued look, the wedding band’s design also comes in a black titanium oxide coating. At Apples of Gold we pride ourselves on our ability to customize our jewelry pieces, which is why we can even create a green titanium oxide engraving in the ring that is perfect for men who want to celebrate their Irish heritage. Whichever color you choose, our Celtic titanium infinity band is a time-tested choice imbued with powerful meaning.
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Lucky April babies can claim the coveted diamond as their birthstone – much to the chagrin of loved ones trying to buy birthday jewelry on a budget. The in-demand diamond gemstone has been sought after for centuries by mankind thanks to its beauty, sparkle and hardness which, interestingly, are the same reasons the gem is so beloved to this day. For April birthday men and women who want to learn a bit more about their birthstone, read on for fun history and mythological details on the illustrious diamond.
History of the Diamond
The formation of a natural diamond occurs when carbon deposits undergo extreme pressure and heat, causing a change to occur in the carbon that crystalizes to form a diamond gemstone. Diamonds were first mined and treasured in India somewhere between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago. Because a diamond is the hardest natural material known, it made a high quality tool for cutting and sharpening, increasing its value and worth. Ancient Indians were also among the first to use the diamond for adornment and jewelry, with other cultures including the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans following suit.
Diamonds were first used in engagement rings during the 15th century, although they didn’t become the predominant engagement ring gemstone until the late 1800s. As diamond mining became a thriving industry, diamonds were more readily available in the jewelry market and soon became synonymous with engagement rings. The diamond became the official birthstone of April in the early 20th century, which has led women born in other months to wish that they too could have the beautiful diamond as their birthstone.
Diamond Myths
In ancient India, many people believed that a diamond should not be cut from its original formation because it would reduce to gemstone’s magical powers. Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods, while Romans thought that diamonds were splinters of stars that fell from the heavens. During the Middle 
Ages a popular myth was that a diamond darkened when a guilty person looked at the stone and brightened when the gem was peered into by a person full of virtue and innocence.
Diamond Birthstone Jewelry
Luckily for today’s April-born diamond lovers, Apples of Gold has a great selection of stunning yet affordable diamond jewelry. Rings with a small embedded diamond are always a classic choice, like our antique style diamond ring, our Art Deco 1/2 carat ring and our unique black diamond and white gold ring. Whichever piece of diamond jewelry you choose, one thing is for sure – you can’t go wrong with the gift of diamonds.
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For many years, when people thought about precious gemstones, four stones would come to mind: diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald. More recently, a fifth gemstone has been added to the list of precious gemstones. Tanzanite, discovered in 1967, is a beautiful gemstone that ranges in color from a light mauve to a deep, bluish-purple, and even deep red, depending on which way you are looking at it, and is now considered to be the fifth precious gem. Unfortunately, as it gets more and more popular, it is becoming more and more difficult to find.
Tanzanite is a form of Ziosite, and when untreated, it is a dull grey/brown color. Tanzanite is heat-treated to bring out its true beauty, and the only reason the stone was discovered was when members of the Massai tribe found some rough Ziosite that had been “heat-treated” by a bush fire. Tanzanite can only be found in one small area in Africa, Merlani, which sits between the Olduvai Gorge and Mt. Killimanjaro near Tanzania. Because the area that this beautiful gemstone is found is so tiny, the supply is very small, and getting smaller all the time.
A Very Rare And Beautiful Gemstone
There are very few pieces of Tanzanite being mined now, as the area is becoming depleted of this gorgeous gemstone. Because there are fewer Tanzanites available, the price is increasing, and the best quality gemstones can be as high as $1,200 per carat in price. There are still some less expensive pieces of Tanzanite jewelry available, but they do not always have the highest quality gemstones. A good rule of thumb to remember is the darker and more intense the Tanzanite gemstone is, the higher it is in quality. A high carat weight does not necessarily mean that the gemstone is of high quality.
Tanzanite Facts:
Tanzanite is a gemstone that looks lovely in just about any setting, especially white gold and platinum settings. It’s purple and blue hues are lovely and eye-catching, and every woman should have at least one piece of Tanzanite jewelry in their collection.
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With Easter just around the corner, we thought it would be nice to highlight some of our favorite picks for Easter jewelry. Bunny rabbits and colorful easter egg jewelry aside, the cross is the universal symbol of the Easter holiday, which is why our choices include three gorgeous crosses that make stunning presents for family and loved ones. And besides, a lovely cross makes a much more impressive piece of jewelry than do rabbits or Easter egg shapes, right?
Cross jewelry comes in many different styles, shapes, sizes and materials, so we chose a nice variety that represents a broad range of jewelry taste. From simple and modern to classic and ornate, we hope our favorite picks inspire you to choose the perfect piece of Easter jewelry for the one you love.
The Timeless Classic
Our gold polished cross pendant is a timeless classic that anyone can fall in love with. The unisex style makes it equally suitable as an Easter jewelry gift for both men and women.
Ornately Elegant
People who prefer intricate, more elaborately designed jewelry will adore our beautiful 14K gold Easter crucifix pendant. This crucifix pendant features a delicately carved body of Jesus upon the cross with exquisite detail.
Modern and Architectural
Loved ones who appreciate clean lines and possess a modern aesthetic will fawn over our 14K white gold harmony cross pendant. Stunning in its simplicity, the harmony cross pendant features two sweeping arches that form a modern cross with a sparkling diamond in the center.
Whether your loved one prefers modern, ornate or classic cross pendants, we hope our sampling of beautiful Easter jewelry has helped you choose the perfect pick for the holiday. Happy Easter!
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For centuries, diamonds have been one of the most popular and highly sought-after gemstones in the world. Originally only worn by royalty and the aristocracy, diamonds are now popular with men and women from all walks of life world wide.
Why Are Diamonds April’s Birth Stone?
The history of using gemstones to represent the months of the year is thousands of years old. In ancient Greece, amethyst was associated Bacchus, the Greek god of wine. Peridot was worn as protection against nightmares. And, emerald was often worn for fertility.
In the Bible, the priest Aaron is said to have worn a breastplate adorned with 12 gemstones. These gemstones were said to have represented the 12 tribes of Israel. Today, it is still unknown exactly which gemstones were in the breastplate, as at the time, gemstones were not given official names.
Throughout the years, the association of the gemstones with the tribes of Isael led to gemstones representing symbols of the zodiac, and thoughout the centuries, these gemstones have changed many times. With the spread of Christianity came the spurning of anything to do with astrology, and the gemstones became known to represent the 12 apostles instead of astrological symbols.
This led to the idea that children born in a certain month had a specific guardian angel, and each guardian angel was represented by a specific gemstone, which eventally came to be known as birthstones. It is unsure exactly when diamonds officially became the birthstone for April, but we do know that their birthstone history is connected to this lore.
Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend!
They sparkle and shine. They represent one person’s love for another. They represent eternity. Diamonds have long been one of the most popular gemstones in the world, and in olden times, only the very wealthy were able to afford to wear diamond jewelry. In fact, at one time, only the aristocracy and royalty were allowed to wear gemstones of any kind.
Diamonds are beautiful, and loved by millions of people around the world. They are a mysterious gemstones, taking millions of years to grow naturally, under incredibly high temperatures and pressure. They are also one of the hardest substances in the world.
Diamonds have been the gemstone of choice for engagement rings for years, and there isn’t a woman alive who is not thrilled to show off her diamond to anyone who wants to see it. Diamonds represent love, fidelity and commitment, and when a woman receives a diamond from the one she loves, she feels as though she is the most important person in that person’s world.
And of course, no jewelry collection can possibly be complete without at least one piece of diamond jewelry. Every woman loves a pair of diamond earrings, and diamond tennis bracelets are another extremely popular choice. When you are planning on buying your girlfriend or wife a piece of jewelry, show her just how much she means to you by making it a diamond.
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