Sapphires are precious stones composed of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide), with a hardness of 9/10 on the Mohs scale. They’re the most popular colored gemstones in the United States. Here are the 21 major sapphire colors and types.

There are many different types of gold used to make jewelry. Gold comes in a range of colors, karats, and coatings, each with their own unique properties. From the famous to the lesser-known, this guide covers 15 gold types and what makes them special.

Since the dawn of human history, gold has been a symbol of wealth, power, and longevity. In this guide, we’ll explore the fascinating history of yellow gold, look into its composition and properties, and investigate how it compares to other precious metals.

Containing only 41.7% gold content, 10k gold is the least pure type of gold commonly used to make jewelry. While this low purity makes 10k gold affordable and popular, it also comes with a few downsides.

14k gold is made from 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. It’s the most popular type of gold used to make jewelry in the United States. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the characteristics of 14 karat gold that make it so appealing to so many people.

18k gold is an alloy of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals such as silver and copper. If you’re considering 18k gold for your next jewelry purchase but aren’t sure it’s the right metal for you, this guide has you covered.

In discussions about gold, you’ll often hear the term “karat gold” come up. But what exactly does this term mean? Read on to understand what a gold karat is, why some karats are more popular than others, and how to choose the best karat grade for your next jewelry purchase.

Blue gold is a blue-colored gold made by mixing pure gold with other metals such as iridium and gallium. This guide covers the characteristics of blue gold, the different ways to create it, and the history of its use as a jewelry metal.

Purple gold is an alloy of gold and aluminum, and one of the rarest colors of gold in the world. Discover interesting facts like when purple gold was invented, what it can be used for, and where you can purchase purple gold jewelry online.

24k gold (99.9% gold) is the purest, most expensive type of gold there is. Though more popular as an investment metal, 24k gold is also sometimes used for jewelry. Discover the properties of 24k gold and which kinds of jewelry it’s best suited for.

Diamond color is one of the most important aspects that affects a diamond’s beauty and value. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to confidently select the best diamond color grade for your needs and budget.

Learn all about the birthstones by month. This informative guide covers the characteristics, colors, value, and beliefs surrounding each birthstone. You’ll also learn how the birthstone tradition started, who decides which month gets what stone, and why some months have multiple gems.

Green gold is a gold alloy composed of gold, silver, and trace amounts of other metals. Its high silver content gives it a subtle greenish hue that’s not seen in traditional yellow gold. Learn about the characteristics and history of this beautiful and unusual precious metal.

White gold is made by mixing pure yellow gold with white metals. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the history and properties of white gold, how it compares to other precious metals, and how to best care for your beautiful white gold jewelry.

Rose gold is made of gold mixed with copper and silver. This comprehensive guide covers the history, properties, and pros and cons of rose gold jewelry, as well as the practical considerations of buying and caring for it.

If you’re considering a platinum engagement ring, have your eye on a platinum necklace or bracelet, or would just like to learn more about this fascinating metal, then read on to find out the answers to 17 of the most frequently asked questions about platinum and platinum jewelry.

Is platinum better than white gold, or is it the other way around? While white gold and platinum look very similar, there’s more to each one than meets the eye. Learn all the important differences between these two precious metals, and decide for yourself!

The most popular and well-known diamond shapes are the round brilliant, princess, oval, cushion, emerald, Asscher, marquise, radiant, pear, heart, baguette, and trillion cut diamond. Learn about their appearance, characteristics, pros, cons, and more.

If you’re in the researching phase of your silver jewelry journey, you might be asking yourself questions like: What is the best quality silver? Does silver tarnish? And how do the different types of silver used to make jewelry compare to each other?

Of the 4Cs of diamonds – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – the most important is cut. Learn what diamond cut is, how diamond cut grades are scored, and what you need to know to pick a knockout rock with superior brilliance, fire, and sparkle.

Emeralds are gemstones formed from the mineral beryl. To be called an emerald, a beryl gem must be primarily green, and possess a certain intensity of color. Here are the different types of emeralds you’re most likely to encounter.

Black gold is gold that’s been artificially treated to change its surface color from yellow to black. This guide takes you through the facts and history of black gold, as well as how it’s made, how it compares to other black metals, and how to clean and care for it.

Diamonds with perfect clarity grades are extremely rare and shockingly expensive. Learn how to confidently pick a beautiful diamond that looks flawless to the naked eye – for a fraction of the price of one with a perfect clarity grade.

Sterling silver is a high purity silver alloy made from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Its beauty and practicality makes sterling silver the most popular type of silver used in jewelry. Learn about its history and properties, how to care for it, and what you need to know before purchasing.

Diamond carat weight is not the same as diamond size. Though there’s definitely a correlation between weight and size, the size of a 1 carat diamond, for example, can vary significantly depending on its shape and cut.

The platinum group consists of six precious metals: platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. Learn about their unique characteristics, and how each of these fascinating metals is used within the jewelry industry.

While diamonds are traditionally white (colorless), they can also be found in a wide spectrum of striking colors including blue, yellow, pink, green, red, and black. These extraordinarily rare gems are known as fancy colored diamonds.

The “4Cs” of diamonds are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. This guide explains what the 4Cs are, why some are more important than others, and how each one affects a diamond’s appearance, quality, value, and price.

Throughout the ages, silver has captivated people the world over with its dazzling shine and beauty. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the history and uses of silver, as well as the pros and cons of pure silver jewelry, and how pure silver compares to sterling silver and other precious metals.

Traditionally, only four gemstones in the world are considered precious: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. This guide explores the characteristics of each of the four precious gems, and also looks at the key differences between precious and semi-precious stones.

Rubies are red precious stones formed from the mineral corundum. They can display varying hues and tones of red depending on their place of origin. We’ve compiled a list of the nine most notable types of rubies, with information about their history, characteristics, and value.