Gemstone Jewelry

Diamonds are not the only precious stones out there worth giving as a gift to someone you love. Believe it or not, emeralds are more rare and more valuable than diamonds of comparable size and quality. Fifty percent of the population claims that their favorite color is blue--they might prefer sapphires.

Birthstone Jewelry

One of the contexts in which it is more common to give gemstone jewelry is as a birthstone. This may be nice for some people, but it may also be limiting. It can also cause someone born in June to end up with a lot of unwanted pearls when she really loves rubies. If you are considering getting a birthstone bracelet, pendant, or ring, make sure you know whether the recipient really likes the association.

One much more sure-to-please option is to get your mother a birthstone ring, bracelet, or pendant with stones to represent each of her children. There are some designers who specialize in lovely and unique settings for these types of pieces. Of course, if you really like a design, there's no reason that you can't simply get it with three amethysts if those happen to be your favorite stones.

There are also gemstones associated with certain anniversaries in very traditional circles. The bottom line, however, is that gemstone jewelry can make a wonderful gift any time--especially if you know what colors the recipient really likes. There is nothing to say that you can't wear a blue topaz engagement ring, a wedding band channel set with rubies, or a tennis bracelet made from all the different colors of sapphires. If you are looking for gemstone jewelry, consider looking wholesale first--you may find something beautiful for a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a small jeweler's showroom.