Gemstone Learning Center Blogs

Australian and Ethiopian natural opals displaying different body tones, transparency and colorful play-of-color.

Australian vs Ethiopian Opal: What's the Differ...

Australian vs Ethiopian Opal: What's the Difference? Australian vs Ethiopian opal is one of the most useful comparisons to understand when learning about precious opal. Both origins can produce beautiful...

Australian vs Ethiopian Opal: What's the Differ...

Australian vs Ethiopian Opal: What's the Difference? Australian vs Ethiopian opal is one of the most useful comparisons to understand when learning about precious opal. Both origins can produce beautiful...

Natural precious opal displaying shifting blue, green, orange and red play-of-color as light interacts with the gemstone.

Why Does Opal Change Color? Understanding Play-...

Why Does Opal Change Color? The Science Behind Play-of-Color Why does opal change color? The shifting flashes seen in precious opal are caused by play-of-color, an optical phenomenon created when...

Why Does Opal Change Color? Understanding Play-...

Why Does Opal Change Color? The Science Behind Play-of-Color Why does opal change color? The shifting flashes seen in precious opal are caused by play-of-color, an optical phenomenon created when...

Natural red ruby compared with laboratory-grown, treated, and imitation ruby gemstones during gemological examination.

How to Tell if Ruby Is Real: Natural, Lab-Grown...

How to Tell if Ruby Is Real How to tell if ruby is real is not as simple as checking whether a red gemstone looks natural. Ruby can be natural,...

How to Tell if Ruby Is Real: Natural, Lab-Grown...

How to Tell if Ruby Is Real How to tell if ruby is real is not as simple as checking whether a red gemstone looks natural. Ruby can be natural,...

Different types of natural ruby showing vivid red, pinkish-red and purplish-red colors alongside a cabochon star ruby.

Types of Ruby: Colors, Origins, Star Ruby & Qua...

Types of Ruby: Understanding Color, Origin and Ruby Varieties Types of ruby can look remarkably different even though they all belong to the same mineral family. One natural ruby may...

Types of Ruby: Colors, Origins, Star Ruby & Qua...

Types of Ruby: Understanding Color, Origin and Ruby Varieties Types of ruby can look remarkably different even though they all belong to the same mineral family. One natural ruby may...

Natural red ruby corundum gemstones showing variations in red color, transparency, and natural inclusions.

What Is Ruby? Formation, Color, Hardness & Gems...

What Is Ruby? A Complete Guide to the Red Variety of Corundum What is ruby? Ruby is the red gem variety of corundum, the same mineral species that produces sapphire....

What Is Ruby? Formation, Color, Hardness & Gems...

What Is Ruby? A Complete Guide to the Red Variety of Corundum What is ruby? Ruby is the red gem variety of corundum, the same mineral species that produces sapphire....

Natural blue sapphire compared with laboratory-grown and treated sapphire gemstones for gemological identification.

How to Tell if Sapphire Is Real: Natural, Lab-G...

How to Tell if Sapphire Is Real How to tell if sapphire is real is more complicated than simply deciding whether a blue gemstone is genuine or fake. Sapphire can...

How to Tell if Sapphire Is Real: Natural, Lab-G...

How to Tell if Sapphire Is Real How to tell if sapphire is real is more complicated than simply deciding whether a blue gemstone is genuine or fake. Sapphire can...