Have you ever heard of jewelry created from paper? How about a necklace made out of sugar solution, creating crystal-like clusters?

Many artists and designers live on the fringe of jewelry making. Their unusual efforts are admired by some, scoffed at by others and looked at with puzzled amusement by many. This is jewelry as an art form. No, it may not last as long as a diamond or shine as brightly as a ruby, but it can evoke an emotional response which certainly has its own reward.

Artists that experiment with non-traditional materials are being seen in many top art shows and galleries across the US. I think it’s wonderful to expand the horizons of what makes something art, and indeed what makes something jewelry!

If you’ve never been to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. - you are missing a magnificent opportunity to view some of the world’s most beautiful gemstones.

A few years back I saw the blue Hope Diamond on display there. It had such luster and appeal- it’s hard to imagine a more impressive gemstone. Of course the history of this gemstone is full of legend and intrigue.

But for my money the best part of the display was the naturally occurring crystals that I imagined to still be growing behind the glass. Of course they weren’t, but because of their structure they almost seemed alive.

You’ll just have to go see for yourself.

Did you realize that an uncut diamond may have very little luster? It takes artistry to bring out the beauty of a gemstone.

A lapidary has great skill. He or she has much knowledge on gem cutting, gained through experience and practice. He can look at an uncut gem and tell exactly how the stone should be cut to bring out the greatest beauty in the piece. Much of this is based on the action of the light as it passes through the gemstone and reflects from its surface.

There are many different cuts possible. Transparent stones such as diamonds and emeralds have a few principal cuts used, most of them involving facets. The more facets, the more light is reflected which is what causes the stone to shine with such brilliance.

Although transparent diamonds seem to be the most sought after, colored diamonds are also found naturally. The color can be created artificially by exposing them to radiation or by heating them a certain way.

If a diamond was artificially colored, the price should be lower. Naturally occurring colored diamonds are not common, especially the red, blue black and possibly most rare of all, the deep pink.

There are some colored diamonds which are not considered particularly fancy, and these would be the extremely pale yellow and brown ones. These are most often found in the diamond mines. They are actually an off-white version of the transparent gem.

Just like our ancestors, we love the beauty and mystery of gemstones.

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with any gem under consideration. Of course a trained gemologist will know more about gemstones from his or her years of training and study than a layman will, but it certainly can’t hurt to learn a bit about your favorite gemstone if only to increase your own appreciation for it.

There are so many factors to take into consideration. The color, the cut, the brilliance of the gem, etc. are all important. You want to be an educated buyer, so it’s a great idea to learn as much as you can before making that purchase.