Fact #01: Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, loved green stones. 

Most historians believe that Egyptian queen Cleopatra was passionate about green gemstones. Archeologists aren’t sure exactly which ones, but it’s believed that they were either peridots due to the geographical location or emeralds as she was a traveler. Some even claim Cleopatra wore a green gem jewel on her headdress that was so large it could be seen from a distance. Green gemstones are also known for their calming effects, which may have appealed to the ruler’s famously turbulent life. 

Fact #02: Sapphires – The lost treasure on the Titanic, (and it is not the Heart of the Ocean) 

Have you watched the famous movie, ‘Titanic’? Though the film was a work of fiction by James Cameron, the fact is, a beautiful sapphire necklace indeed went down in the ocean waters when the actual Titanic ship sank in 1912 in the Atlantic Ocean. As per a report in  Washington Times, there was a diamond and sapphire necklace on board that fatal night, given to a young girl, Kate Florence Phillips, by her married paramour, Henry Samuel Morley. 

And, the Heart of the Ocean (the fictional blue diamond featured in the movie) was actually created with zirconia and tanzanite with an approximate cost of $10,000. If it was made with diamonds and sapphires, the cost would be as high as $350 million!

Fact #03: The hardest gemstones are Diamonds. 

Did you know the hardest gemstones are diamonds? Diamonds are made of carbon and are the hardest natural substance on Earth. They can scratch other diamonds and are very resistant to wear and tear. Diamonds come in various colors, but the most popular color is clear. 

Fact #04: Opals and tourmalines are the most colorful gemstones on Earth. 

Opals and tourmalines are two of the most colorful gemstones on Earth. Both gems are found in various colors, making them perfect for any jewelry design. Opals are known for their bold colors, while tourmalines can be found in nearly every rainbow color. These gemstones’ ability to change color depending on the light source makes them unique. In natural light, opals often appear to be a milky white or light blue color. But in artificial light, they can take on various colors, from pink to green. Tourmalines are just as versatile – changing colors from purple to yellow depending on the light source. Even fluorescent as the Paraiba Tourmaline. 

Fact #05: Garnets are named after Pomegranates 

The garnet is named after the pomegranate, not the meaning of blood, as many people believe. The word “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus”, which means “seeded”. Early gem cutters thought that the garnet resembled a pomegranate seed. The red color of most garnets is also reminiscent of ripe pomegranates. 

Gems are fascinating, and each one has a unique story to tell! 

Whether you are interested in the history of gemstones, their mining process, or how they are cut and polished, there is always something new to learn about them. Next time you are in a jewelry store, take the time to ask the designer or salesperson about the different gems they have and see if you can find one with a story that fascinates you. 

If you want to explore something unique, here’s an excellent opportunity to find attractive gemstone jewelry pieces during our Luxury Jewelry Network’s online shopping shows every Wednesday and Friday at 4:30 pm PST on Facebook Live.

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