750+ specialty mothers rings and mothers jewelry items!

Mother's Jewelry Stone Information

IMPORTANT: Most images provided in this online store are enlarged to show detail.  We often try to provide an image that is close to actual size on a 16" diagonal monitor. However always refer to stone sizes and ring/pendant width or other measurements provided to help determine the actual size of the item you are considering. An inches to millimeters conversion chart is provided below.  Most rings pictured are a finger size 6 1/2 in real life and most are pictured with simulated stones unless otherwise indicated. 

* Millimeter measurements are rounded off to the nearest 10th.

   IF IN DOUBT, ORDER A SAMPLE TO VIEW PRIOR TO PURCHASE.  

Genuine Stones- Each manufacturer offers their own selection of genuine stones and the quality offered and pricing varies between manufacturers. Some manufacturers offer traditional birthstones while others offer their own selection of genuine stones so it's very important that you read the Production Information Page for each item you are considering. Each collection is different and has it's own product information section.

Stone Information- Information about genuine, man-made and simulated stones.
 

1. What is the TRADITIONAL birthstone for each month?

2. Alexandrite- A scarce color-change birthstone...

3. Opals, Cultured Pearls, Moonstone, etc.

4. "Commercial Grade" stones... what does it mean?

5. What's the difference between genuine stones, synthetic stones, and simulated stones?

6. Descriptions of different stones. Online color charts may not be accurate on all computer monitors.

   • SIMULATED STONES- What color is this stone?

   • LAB CREATED STONES- What color is this stone?

   • GENUINE STONES- What color is this stone?

7. How do I properly care for specific gemstones?

8. How big is a millimeter?

9. STONE ADDITIONS- What happens if we have a new addition to our family and we would like to add stones in the future?

What is the TRADITIONAL birthstone for each month?

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* Other stones may also be available.
 

Alexandrite- A Scarce Color-Change Birthstone

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One of the most often asked questions is about the June birthstone- Alexandrite.  Genuine Alexandrite, a color-change stone, is a scarce and expensive gemstone in a good quality.  It is only occasionally offered in mothers jewelry.  As with all genuine stones, Alexandrite comes in different qualities and price ranges that are generally based upon the color and color-change phenomenon, the cut and  the clarity of the stone.

Because of the price and availability problems associated with genuine Alexandrite, some mfrs. have selected their own genuine stone to represent the month of June.  Some manufacturers use Green Tourmaline to represent the green color of Alexandrite... another offers Color-Change Garnet because it too changes color based upon the light source. Others offer Smokey Quartz... and still others use Pink Tourmaline. These stones are offered by the mfrs. to help keep the price of their products affordable.  If you must have genuine Alexandrite, we recommend the collection below.  Note that stones have only limited availability and finer qualities may also be available (pricing is for "A Quality" Alexandrite).

• Click here for the collection that offers Genuine Alexandrite. Limited availability and not all shapes are available.

Opals, Cultured Pearls, Moonstone, etc.

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Not all mfrs. offer Opals (October), Cultured Pearls, Moonstone (June), etc. in their products. Opals are cabochon-shape stones... they are domed with no facets so when set they look different when compared to a faceted stone when viewed from the top and the side. The same applies to Cultured Pearls... although they are not a cabochon shape stone, they have no facets.  Many mfrs. do not offer Cultured Pearls because the prongs of their settings are not long enough to securely hold them in place.  Below are some manufacturers that offer either Cultured Pearls or Opals... Click here for a collection that offers Cultured Pearls and Opals in many of their designs. Click here for a collection that offers Cultured Pearls and Opals in many of their designs. Click here for a collection that offers Opals in many of their designs. Click here for a collection that offers Cultured Pearl in one of their designs and Opals in several others. Turquoise, Moonstone and Bloodstone are seldom offered in mother's jewelry.

What does "commercial grade" stones mean?

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"Commercial Grade" means a lower quality of genuine stone which is most noticeable in Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires. Other stones tend to be more acceptable in their appearance.  We offer a few collections that only offer commercial quality stones and the ratings we give them is usually a 3 (+/-) heart rating. 

Two important things determine a commercial grade stone...
Color: Emeralds may be very pale or very dark.  Rubies may be pinkish to purplish red. Sapphires are usually "inky" or very dark blue/black with no royal blue flash.
Inclusions:  Most commercial stones will have numerous inclusions that prohibit light from traveling past the table or top of the stone.  Only the top facets of the stone may reflect light so the stone appears "cloudy" with little sparkle.
 

Inclusions are a natural occurrence in genuine stones but especially noted in Emeralds.  You will find inclusions in most genuine stones.  We do not offer eye-clean stones, stones with no eye visible inclusions, like those shown on the "clear" side of the picture on the left. When searching for the mother's jewelry collection that is right for you, you want to find a balance between price and eye-visible inclusions (meaning inclusions visible with the naked eye or without any magnification).  When you have a stone that has fewer inclusions, light is able to pass through the table of the stone to reflect off the facets inside the stone.  It gives the stone more depth and sparkle.  With Commercial Quality or Commercial Grade stones, the light may only reflect off the top of the stone or there may be numerous inclusions that make the stone completely impenetrable by light. For the best quality emeralds and rubies that we offer, we recommend  collections with a 5 heart rating and look for stone qualities finer than "A".  Good qualities are also found in collections with 4 heart ratings.  Stones will still have inclusions however they will have a better overall appearance.

What is the difference between genuine, synthetic and simulated stones?

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Genuine Stones: Genuine stones come from the earth and have been created by God/Nature.  Many genuine stones are commonly treated by man to either bring about or enhance their beauty.  Some stones are rather unattractive until they have been treated.
Synthetic Stones: Synthetic stones are man-made or created stones that have approximately the same chemical and physical characteristics of genuine stones.  They are created in a laboratory by man.
Simulated Stones: These are stones that only look similar to a genuine stone... they imitate a genuine stone.  Note that simulated stones seldom look the same as genuine stones.
 

How do I properly care for specific gemstones?

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The type of gemstones you have or select determines the care they require. Some genuine stones have excellent durability while others require you to be more careful when wearing them.  For instance rubies and sapphires are considered an excellent choice for everyday wear while an opal or pearl require extra careful handling.  This is NOT to say that you can be rough or abusive with your jewelry.  You can break any stone including a diamond.  It simply means that some gemstones are more durable than others.  For a list of details about several varieties of genuine stones, please visit one of our manufacturer's websites at  https://www.stuller.com/articles/view/gemstone-information/
 

What color is this SIMULATED stone?

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Below are some general color descriptions for simulated stones.  These are only approximate color descriptions.  This online color chart may not be accurate on your computer monitor due to individual monitor settings.  What looks right on our computers may not look right on yours.  Note that simulated stones look different compared to genuine stones used for the same months.

What color is this CREATED (man-made) stone?

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Chatham® Lab Created Stones- Stones that are made by man.  Other "brands" of lab created stones from other manufacturer's may look similar.  Look for this name when ordering... not offered unless specifically indicated. These stones have about the same chemical make up of the genuine stone however they are made in a lab by man. They are much more expensive than the simulated stones above.  These are only approximate color descriptions.  This online colors may not be accurate on your computer monitor due to individual monitor settings.  What looks right on our computers may not look right on yours.

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