We’re often asked “Which gem offers me the most value?” There’s no easy answer to that question since gemstones and their corresponding market constantly fluctuate. One thing is for sure: the values of gems go up generally, not down. According to one service that tracked gemstone prices for the last 3 years, prices have risen an average of 20% since  2005. Those that have risen the fastest?  Tanzanite and Burmese ruby.

If you were to rate a good gemstone based on superior hardness (greater than 7 on the Mohs scale), durability, good transparency and clarity and depth of color, here’s what one expert considered the best value (or bang for your buck).

Sapphire

Pros: hardness of 9; no cleavage; high refractive index (so excellent brilliance); good dispersion (fire); good choice of colors though blue is the perennial favorite.
Cons: usually heat treated
Price range: $300-$600+ per carat for heated sapphire; $1000+ per carat for unheated sapphire

Spessartite Garnet

Pros: hardness of 7.5; indistinct cleavage; very high refractive index (higher even than sapphire); always untreated
Cons: available only in yellow-orange to orange-red
Price range: $75-$150+ per carat

Spinel

Pros: hardness of 8; indistinct cleavage; high refractive index; very good fire; wide choice of colors; always untreated
Cons: can be difficult to find, especially in larger sizes
Price range: $50-$400+ per carat, depending on size

Tourmaline

Pros: hardness of 7 to 7.5; indistinct cleavage; good brilliance and fire; amazing choice of colors; affordable in large sizes; usually untreated
Cons: stones tend to be highly pleochroic or multicolored
Price range: $25-$150+ per carat, depending on size; paraiba tourmaline $300 to $1000+ per carat

 

Price ranges are approximate.

 

Tourmaline

I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve struggled with putting on a necklace with a tiny clasp and no one around to help me. Sometimes I’ve just ditched wearing jewelry because its too darn time-consuming. Seriously, some jewelers need to design much better (and easier) necklace clasps. Someone sent me this video and while I haven’t tried this additional clasp, it sounds like a time saver…and sanity saver!

In case you haven’t heard, burgundy is all the rage this Fall season. Interestingly many of the designers have scaled back on accessories and we’re not sure why. Burgundy can be treated like a neutral shade where just about anything goes with it. Gold, in our humble opinion, pairs nicely with “wine.” But here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we like to think outside of the jewelry box. What about the distinctive choices below? Tell us what you think!

Style 102014MS 14kt Rose Gold Pear Shape Moraganite And Amethyst Necklace 14kt rose gold necklace featuring a 16x12mm pear shape genuine morganite surrounded by approximately 3/4ct t.w. round amethyst on an 18″ rose gold rope chain.

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Style 102012MS Cushion Cut Blue Topaz Ring Set In Sterling Silver With 14kt Yellow Gold Prongs Sterling silver ring with 14kt yellow gold claw prongs featuring a 10x8mm checkerboard cushion cut swiss blue topaz in a split shank rope design. Available in stock ring size 6-7 only.

Specialty Items

Style 6851M Yellow Sapphire Three Stone Anniversary Ring Customized and handcrafted version of our style 1250M: This version showcases a 6.80ct yellow sapphire center with 1.50ct (3.0ct t.w. dia equiv) trillions on either side. Center Stone Type: Natural Diamond, Clarity Enhanced Diamond, Gemesis Cultured Diamond, Moissanite, Radiance Diamond Simulant or most other gemstones Center Stone Size: Any Metal: Platinum , 18kt, 14kt, palladium Ring Size: Any

A friend of mine recently graduated from nursing school, after many grueling years working and raising a child singlehandedly. She wanted to treat herself but thought this momentous occasion was worthy of more than a nice dinner or a new outfit.

I wanted something to wear on a daily basis that would remind me of my accomplishment. Looking over my life, I realized I had never bought myself a nice piece of jewelry. Sure, I’ve bought a few earrings and a necklace or two…but I just picked those up at a department store. I was ready for something special…and something permanent.

She custom designed a pendant necklace that she wears all of the time now. There’s an inscription on the back that reads: “I’m proud of you.”

 Whenever I’m having a bad day or stressed out, I just touch the pendant for a bit, almost like a lucky charm, and I feel better. It’s become part of me.

What custom design piece awaits you? How can you celebrate an accomplishment or milestone? We’re happy to design a piece of magic with you that will last a lifetime.

Style 5563 High Polished OM Pendant With Bezel Set Diamond High polished “OM” pendant with a bezel set round brilliant diamond on an 18″ cable chain, approx. 5/8″ tall. TRADE UP OUR GUARANTEE

The Bahia Emerald is one of the largest emeralds (or more appropriately, emerald crystals embedded in a host rock) and contains the largest single shard ever found. The approximately 840 lb (1,900,000 carats) Brazilian stone narrowly escaped flooding during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 during a period of storage in a warehouse in New Orleans. This short video retells some of the lore of its discovery.