Fun Gemstone Facts


Montana Sapphire custom cut American gemstones in many colors

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Mali Garnet

Mali Garnet Trillion Cut by John Dyer and Co.
Red Mali Garnet Cut by John Dyer and Co.

Mali Garnets come from the Republic of Mali in western Africa. A grossular-andradite, Mali Garnet is typically yellow, green, or brown. Garnet’s high refraction led to the belief in ancient times that they could protect the wearer from harm and light their way in the dark.

(Source: GIA and Euro Gem)

Green Mali Garnet Cut by John Dyer and Co.
Round Montana Sapphire with a custom cut by John Dyer Gems

The wide range of colors of the Mali Garnets

Gypsy Rose Garnet

Gypsy Rose Garnte cut by John Dyer and Co.
Gypsy Rose Garnte cut by John Dyer and Co.

Gypsy Rose Garnet was discovered in 2005 in Tanzania’s Umba Valley. What makes this attractive orange-red garnet different is its unusually high grossular content (7.0-8.5%). This grossular component may give Gypsy Rose its special hue which is lighter and brighter than most other red garnets. Although Rhodolite Garnet is similar to Gypsy Rose Garnet in that both are pyrope-almandines found in East Africa, they differ in this grossular component, hue and in Gypsy Rose Garnet’s lack of rutile inclusions within the stone.

(Source: GIA and John D. Dyer)

Gypsy Rose Garnte fantasy cut by John Dyer and Co.
Gypsy Rose Garnte cut by John Dyer and Co.

Different shapes and cuts of the Gypsy Rose Garnet.

Ruby Confusion

Ruby gemstone cut by John Dyer and Co.

When a sapphire is red it is called...a ruby! The confusion with rubies doesn't stop there, in former times red spinels were often mistaken for rubies. Even the Imperial British crown's “Black Prince’s Ruby” was found to be a spinel!

Formally owned by Mughal rulers and currently in Queen Elizabeth II’s possession is the 352.50-carat “Timur Ruby” which is also (oops!) a spinel.

(Source: International Colored Gemstone Association & Fun Trivia)

Ruby gemstone cut by John Dyer and Co.
Red spinel gemstone cut by John Dyer and Co.

On the left - A ruby gemstone. // On the right a red spinel.

Fun Celebrity Facts

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth's Jewelry

Think you have a lot of jewelry? Chances are English monarch Queen Elizabeth II has more. Estimated at $57 million the Queen’s jewelry collection is housed 40 feet beneath Buckingham Palace in a room the size of an ice rink.


(Source: International Colored Gemstone Association)



Elizabeth Taylor & the Shah's Yellow Diamond

Round RippleTop cut Purple Montana Sapphire in a custom engagement ring by jewelry designer Tamara McFarland

Photo: Courtesy of Christie’s.

Love inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal as a tribute to his dead wife. Not neglectful while she was alive he also gave her a heart-shaped yellow diamond which was regifted in more recent history by Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor.







(Source: International Colored Gemstone Association)



Marlene Dietrich Bakes a Cake

Round RippleTop cut Purple Montana Sapphire in a custom engagement ring by jewelry designer Tamara McFarland

World War II singer and actress Marlene Dietrich wore her own cabochon emerald jewelry in many of her films. These pretty gems were especially appropriate for her roles as jewel thief (Desire) and blackmailer (Stage Fright). Not easily parted from her jewelry Marlene once lost a 37.41 ct emerald ring when cooking for dinner guests. No worries...It turned up in one of her guest’s piece of cake!



(Source: International Colored Gemstone Association)



Custom Cut Montana sapphire for sale, buy precison cut sapphires in our online catalog
Buy Montana sapphires from our large online catalog of fantasy and precision cut gems.

Related subjects:

What is the right size of gem to buy?

Which gemstone cut sparkles most?



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