Peter Norman
Blog

Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. Treasured for centuries, sapphires are often associated with royalty. Their name comes from the Greek word sappheiros, meaning blue. Though famed for having a vivid blue hue, September’s birthstone comes in every color of the rainbow except red (ruby is the red variety of corundum). Sapphires… Continue reading September Birthstone: Sapphire

While peridot is usually thought to be the birthstone for August, spinel is considered an alternative gem. Spinel comes in a rainbow of colors, including red, purple, and blue. Because of this, August’s birthstone is often mistaken for other gemstones. The most famous of which is probably the Black Prince’s Ruby in the Imperial State… Continue reading August Birthstone: Spinel

Beautiful and rare, rubies command some of the highest prices of all gems. Color is the most important factor in determining the price of a ruby, and rubies are most valuable when they are the vibrant to slightly purplish red for which they are known. This color is often referred to as “pigeon’s blood red.”… Continue reading July Birthstone: Ruby

Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. With their dazzling green color, emeralds have been treasured for thousands of years (Cleopatra was known for her love of them). It has been said that emeralds have multiple benefits from curing diseases to giving their wearers the gift of eloquence. Few areas have the right… Continue reading May Birthstone: Emerald

In 2016, we saw many different trends in engagement rings. It seems like “Go big or go home” and non traditional stones stole the show. But here’s the good news! The Knot says “You don’t have to shell out for a giant diamond or an over-the-top setting to have a ring that makes an impact. A smaller center… Continue reading Engagement Ring Trends in 2016