Gemstones - Leo Hamel

Celebrate May Birthdays with Emerald

2023-05-192023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Those April showers have finally brought us May flowers! Springtime offers endless beauty and bounty, with flowers and lush greenery everywhere you look. What better gemstone to symbolize the splendor of spring than vibrant green emerald, the captivating May birthstone?

History of Emerald

Emerald belongs to a group that industry insiders often refer to as the “Big Three.” These are the three most expensive and alluring precious colored gemstones that have been sought after for centuries: emerald, ruby, and sapphire. In fact, this captivating May birthstone has been worn in jewelry for more than four thousand years.

Ancient civilizations from the Inca to the Egyptians revered emerald for its many powerful properties. Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher who lived in the first century A.D., wrote that emerald was the only gem that delighted the eye without fatiguing it. Early gem cutters kept emeralds on their work bench to gaze upon from time to time to rest their tired eyes.

Modern science confirms Pliny’s claim with findings that prove green is the most restful color for the human eye, as it relieves stress and strain. Besides being easy on the eyes, green emerald was believed to give its wearer the power to see into the future and to recognize the false promises of others. It’s no wonder emerald was a favorite of ancient leaders like Cleopatra, who famously wore them in many of her royal adornments.

Emerald's Meaning

Besides their obvious beauty, emeralds are treasured for their meaning. In ancient Roman mythology, the emerald was the gemstone of the goddess of love, Venus. Though rubies are generally considered the gemstone of romance and passion, emeralds were once held in the same regard. Emeralds are said to stir feelings of passion, euphoria, and intense love.

They are thought to bring love that is deep and unconditional, making them the perfect romantic gift. The vibrant green hue of emeralds represents vitality, renewal, and starting anew. It’s only fitting that emerald marks the dawn of springtime, a time of rebirth and regeneration.

May Birthstone Colors

The ideal shade for spring, emeralds range in color from yellowish to bluish and can vary from pale mint to deep forest hues. Vivid, deep green emeralds are most prized, while those with too much yellow or blue are less valuable. An ideal emerald will have color that is evenly distributed with just the right touch of transparency.

Most emeralds contain eye-visible clarity characteristics called “inclusions” that result from their formation deep within the earth. These inclusions give each gemstone its own personality and character, an everlasting testament to the natural history of the emerald. When a single stone contains a wide variety of inclusions, gemologists call is the “jardín” effect, which is French for “garden,” because they resemble flowers and foliage.

Because of their inclusions, emeralds are delicate despite their relative hardness. Never put emeralds into an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner and avoid steam cleaning. Ring re-sizing or re-tipping of prongs should only be performed by an accomplished jeweler.

Where to Find Emerald

Columbia has been the most fruitful source for fine emeralds for over 500 years, with the Muzo mine producing the most stunning jewels in terms of both color and clarity. Brazil also produces stones from the abundant Belmont mine that are typically a little darker in color. Emeralds of very fine color can be found in parts of Africa, though they typically only occur in small carat sizes. Pakistan and Afghanistan are also important producers, though on a much smaller scale.

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you will always find a wide variety of luscious green emeralds to fit every style and budget. Whether you’re celebrating a May birthday, anniversary, or engagement, Leo Hamel’s has a wealth of exquisite emerald jewelry that is sure to bring joy to your loved one. Choose from new designs or opt for something truly unique like an antique emerald ring or bracelet.

Do you have a beloved piece of emerald jewelry in need of repair? Our full-service jewelry store boasts master jewelers to help ensure that your precious jewelry last a lifetime and beyond! What’re you waiting for? Visit us today!

Where Do Pearls Come From?

2023-04-222023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

The pearl, known for its mark of elegance, has become a staple in the wardrobe of fashionistas and celebrities alike. Stars such as Audrey Hepburn have solidified that pearls are a timeless statement-piece, but their beauty has affected generations of people. While we wear pearls out and about, their origin begins in a far different place. The journey of a strand of pearls on your neck starts deep in the ocean.

The pearl is unique in the fact that, unlike most gems that come from the earth, the pearl comes from oysters. Pearls are formed within an oyster when an outside stimulus irritates the oysters inside environment. This stimulus can be natural such as a parasite or artificially made like a bead. In order to protect itself, the oyster created a fluid-coating to cover the intruder. This coating is called nacre, and it is layered over and over until a pearl forms. Pearls that get harvested for the sake of jewelry usually take around three years and onward to develop.

Pearl farms are now the most common practice for cultivating pearls, but there is still the possibility of finding naturally made pearls. Farmed pearls are monitored and cared for in either saltwater or freshwater. When the oysters mature, they are harvested and opened up to reveal the rare beauty within.

From the harvest, the chosen pearls are matched by color and size. They are paired with pearls of parallel quality for stranded necklaces or have delicate holes drilled in for earrings and rings. The process of turning pearls into jewelry is detail-oriented work that requires skill.

From the ocean, pearls have made their way to adorn many of the most coveted pieces of jewelry. It is no wonder that pearls are as valuable and loved as they are! Each pearl is unique from the next, and they all survived harsh ocean conditions and years of maturing to be a part of our fashion today.

Pearls in San Diego

Curious where you can find a precious strand of unique pearls? Look no further than San Diego’s #1 jewelry store, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers! We’re your one-stop-shop for an incredible selection of new and vintage fine jewelry, custom jewelry design, and jewelry repair. Visit us today, and let our friendly staff assist you in finding the perfect piece that speaks to you and your unique style. No matter your fine jewelry needs, Leo’s has got you covered!

Gemstones That Are Rarer Than Diamonds

2023-04-202023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Diamonds are by far the most coveted gemstones in the world. And gem quality diamonds are rare compared to the total quantity of rough diamonds that are mined. Especially rare are gem quality diamonds of over one carat in size. This scarcity contributes to their value.

It might surprise you to know that there are several colorful gemstones that are even rarer than diamonds. Because of their rarity, these gemstones are not frequently found in jewelry. For this reason, they’re less well-known than gems like sapphires and emeralds, but certainly not any less beautiful.

Taaffeite

This extremely unusual gemstone was discovered accidentally in 1945 by Austrian geologist, Count Edward Charles Richard Taaffe. While combing through a box of spinel gems, Taaffe noticed there was one that was different from the rest. Because Taaffe was the first to discover taaffeite, the stone was named after him. Taaffeite can occur in colors ranging from deep purple to red, though red is the most uncommon.

Surprisingly, this stone scores an 8 to 8.5 on Moh’s Scale of Hardness, making it unusually durable. Very few taaffeite gemstones have been found since their initial discovery. In fact, the only known deposits are in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and China. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these dazzling gems, expect to pay about $1,500 to $2,500 per carat.

Tanzanite

Though tanzanite can be purchased rather easily, it is still considered rare because of scarcity. This gemstone is found exclusively in Tanzania, specifically in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Because this is the only known location where tanzanite can be mined, it is predicted that the world’s supply will be depleted within 20-30 years.

Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. famously used tanzanite in their designs, further driving up the demand for these beautiful gems. Tanzanite’s deep violet and blue hues make them comparable to sapphires, and they’re often used as an affordable alternative. However, as supply decreases, tanzanite’s value will likely skyrocket. Presently, you can anticipate one of these stones to cost you roughly $600 to $1,000 per carat.

Black Opal

Opals are a rather common gemstone and can be found in many jewelry stores. However, black opals are a unique exception. Black opals mesmerize with their celestial colors swirled against an ink black backdrop. It’s no wonder they’re considered to be so exquisite! Similar to tanzanite, black opals are found solely in one location – along the Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia. To own one of these captivating gemstones will cost you around $2,300 per carat.

Red Beryl

Red beryl derives its bright red pigment from the trace element manganese. This gemstone is a relative of emerald, aquamarine, and morganite. Red beryl is primarily mined in the Wah-Wah Mountains of Utah, though small deposits have been located in Mexico and New Mexico. Most stones that are mined are not large enough for faceting, though if you’re fortunate enough to find one, it could cost you over $20,000 per carat.

Benitoite

Benitoite is found primarily in San Benito County, California, which is why California adopted the stone as their state gem. Other specimens have been found in Arkansas, Montana, Australia, and Japan, as well as other regions within California. However, the only gem quality stones have been produced exclusively by the San Benito mine.

Benitoite is sometimes referred to as the “blue diamond” for its mesmerizing translucent blue color. Because of its rarity, most gem quality benitoite is sized at a carat or less, though the largest ever found was nearly 16 carats. To get your hands on one of these gems will cost you about $6,500 to $8,500 per carat.

Alexandrite

Deemed the “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite has unique color-changing properties that make it highly desirable. In lighter environments, alexandrite sparkles a rich blueish green color, while darker settings cause the stone to transition to a vivid magenta or purple tone. This one-of-a-kind gemstone was first discovered in the mountains of Russia in the 1830s.

It was highly coveted by the Russian aristocracy, deriving its name from Czar Alexander. New deposits have recently been unearthed in Brazil, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. Perhaps these new locations will yield enough to help ease prices, but in the meantime, alexandrite can cost as much as $15,000 per carat.

Musgravite

Musgravite was first discovered in the Musgrave Range of Southern Australia. It is from this range that it derives its name, though traces have now been found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and more. Musgravite is found in colors ranging from a greenish gray to purple and scores an 8-8.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. This score makes musgravite ideal for use in jewelry, but unfortunately quantities are too limited. Despite the discovery of new deposits, availability of musgravite is still scarce, in turn making them quite pricey. The cost for one of these rare beauties? Specimens have sold for as much as $35,000 per carat!

Painite

In 2005, painite took the crown as the world’s rarest gemstone according to the Guinness Book of World Records. At the time, there were only 25 known specimens in existence. Today, that number hasn’t increased by much, with the only known source of painite being in Myanmar. This gem can occur in colors ranging from brown to red, and even pink. Painite is pleochroic, meaning that it can appear to change colors when viewed from different angles. So, what does the world’s rarest gemstone cost? If you’re able to locate painite on the market, it may cost you as much as $50,000 to $60,000 a carat.

Grandidierite

Grandidierite was discovered in Madagascar in 1902 by a French minerologist, Alfred Lacroix. He named his treasure after French explorer and naturalist, Alfred Grandidier. Since his initial finding, small samples of grandidierite have been found in Namibia and Sri Lanka, though very few have been gem quality. Grandidierite commonly occurs in a teal blue color and can transmit light due to it being pleochroic. Specimens that are fully transparent are considered the rarest. Forbes ranked this gemstone the third rarest on earth, with prices as high as $20,000 per carat.

Though these gemstone varieties may be hard to come by, there are an abundance of dazzling colored gems that are available for you to enjoy. Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, some of our new and vintage jewelry features precious gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and everyone’s favorite – diamonds! Stop by our San Diego Avenue jewelry store today to explore our ever-changing array of amazing gemstone jewelry.

Celebrate April Birthdays with Diamonds!

2023-04-012023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Since the time of Ancient Greece, the diamond has been the traditional symbol of love and commitment. Diamonds symbolize eternal love, courage, and good health. They have long been worn by leaders and figures of power to signify strength and wellbeing.

In 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers designed a list that assigned different gemstones to the various months as “birthstones.” Diamonds are the traditional birthstone of April and hold special meaning for those born in that month.

They’re thought to provide the wearer with better relationships and increase their inner strength. A diamond is believed to cleanse the energy of the wearer, build endurance, dispel fear and insecurity, grant courage, stimulate creativity, attract good fortune, and bring harmony.

Diamonds are one of the most precious and coveted gemstones that you can buy today. Representing wealth and luxury, they’re coveted by women and men alike. But there is more to April’s birthstone than meets the eye. Read below to learn some interesting facts about diamonds that you likely never knew!

The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough diamond ever discovered. It was unearthed in South Africa in 1905 and weighed a whopping 3106 carats.

The word “carat,” which is the measurement used to weigh diamonds, originated from the Greek word keration, meaning “carob.” Carob tree seeds were used as counterweights to weigh precious stones during the period. It is speculated that the seed species was specially selected because of a belief that their individual seeds are unusually consistent in weight. Unfortunately, science does not bear that out as factual.

The U.S. is currently the world’s largest diamond market, consuming about 48 percent of all gem quality diamonds. The U.S. also produces the most synthetic industrial grade diamonds, but Arkansas is the only state where gem quality diamonds are mined, the largest of which weighed 40.23 carats.

Rough diamonds don’t look much different than the average pebble and are easily passed over by the untrained eye.

Diamonds have been found in meteorites from outer space, indicating that diamonds are created even in outer space.

The highest yielding diamond mines in the world are found in Botswana, Russia, and Canada. About 80% of these mined diamonds are of a quality only used for industrial purposes rather than jewelry.

Because both are the exact same mineral – pure carbon – it is impossible to differentiate between a lab created diamond and an earth-mined diamond by sight or standard diamond testers. Only trained experts using specialized equipment found at gemological laboratories can detect a diamond’s origin.

The tradition of giving your fiancée a diamond originated in 1477 when the Archduke of Austria proposed to his future wife, Mary of Burgundy, with a diamond ring.

Diamonds for the April gemstone have garnered the hearts of many and are the most coveted gemstone to date. They’re deemed the “King of All Birthstones,” and they make an excellent choice for an April birthday gift.

If you’re looking for the perfect April birthday gift, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers to peruse our extensive diamond jewelry collection! Our knowledgeable sales team is here for all your questions.

Gemstones: San Diego’s Rich History

2022-12-302023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Southern California has produced some of the most beautiful gemstones, and San Diego has played a large role in that history. Six years before the 1848 California Gold Rush started, miners in 1842 were pulling museum-quality gems out of the hills of San Diego County.

The Dowager Empress of China was particularly obsessed with pink tourmaline, making this gem especially lucrative. Now famous Tiffany & Co. was the facilitator of the pink tourmaline trade between Southern California and China.

Royalty in China would place an order and a Tiffany gemologist, J.L. Tannenbaum, commissioned miners in Southern California to mine and ship the order. This continued until 1911 when the Empress died. San Diego’s mines sent over 120 tons of gem-quality pink tourmaline in just their last decade.

Topaz is another gem that is a Southern California specialty. John W. Ware was a San Diego jeweler who owned and operated a small mine on Smith Mountain that produced blue topaz. He had marketed the product from his small mine so well that he eventually was importing the gem to meet his demand.

Sempe and Tourmaline Queen are two of San Diego County’s mines where another gemstone, Morganite, was discovered. The gemstone was named by George F. Kunz, another Tiffany & Co. gemologist, after one of Tiffany’s most distinguished customers at the time: J.P. Morgan. While the discovery and rise in popularity of morganite is attributed to Southern California, it’s since been mined from Afghanistan, Brazil, and Madagascar.

Local Gemstones On Display

San Diego structures are still home to some of these local gems. One of the most notable of these displays was Jessop’s Clock in downtown San Diego. The clock was designed by Joseph Jessop (second-generation jeweler with a local mine at Mount Palomar) and finished construction in 1907. It contains 17 gems that were mined from the Jessop Mine including tourmaline, agate, topaz, and jade.

The clock stood outside of J. Jessop and Sons Jewelry Store through two downtown locations. In 1984 it was relocated to Horton Plaza where it was on display until 2019 when the lease agreement at Horton Plaza ended. Since 2019 it’s been kept safely in storage, awaiting a new lease to be signed for its public display.

If you’re looking to add these or other stones to your collection, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers on San Diego Avenue to find the perfect gemstone jewelry piece.

What Properties are Gemstones Associated With?

2022-10-262023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Have you ever wondered what properties certain gemstones hold? Or maybe you’ve been wanting to surround yourself with gemstones that are associated with certain feelings. There are many feelings and properties that gemstones can be associated with. The main four are: Love, Protection, Anxiety, and Wealth. Let’s talk about where these stones come from along with the ancient deities and property they’re connected to.

Love

Rose Quartz – Comes from Japan, Madagascar, Brazil, and the USA. Linked to Aphrodite and Adonis. Speaks to every kind of love: healing communication with family, developing a deeper connection with a spouse, or guiding you through self-love.

Rhodochrosite – Comes from Argentina, South Africa, Peru, Montana, Russia, China, Mexico, Gabon, and Japan. Linked to Aphrodite and Persephone. Tied to the heart chakra, this stone encourages you to put yourself first and will help you sort through emotions.

Pink Tourmaline – Comes from the USA, Brazil, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, and Namibia. This stone encourages you to heal old wounds and open your heart chakra. It brings comfort and compassion when you need it.

Yellow Jasper – Comes from Africa, Brazil, India, Madagascar, South Africa, Russia, Venezuela, Australia, Uruguay, and the USA. Linked to Persephone. Encourages learning and attracts positive energy for building self-confidence.

Garnet – Comes from Brazil, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Russia, the USA, and China. Linked to Artemis, Ares, Persephone, and Hestia. This stone is connected to your root chakra and is great for building last relationships. It gives the confidence you need to ask for what you want and to avoid jealousy in relationships.

Aventurine – Comes from India, Chile, Spain, and Russia. Linked to Dionysus and Persephone. Aventurine bring prosperity and luck in love, and is great to have when you’re looking for a relationship.

Moonstone – Comes from Sri Lanka, Southern India, Australia, Armenia, Mexico, Brazil, and the USA. Linked to Artemis, Nyx, and Selene. If you’re looking to find that missed connection or rekindle an old relationship, this is the stone to keep. Moonstone brings the balance and calm needed to mend relationships.

Gemstones for Protection

Obsidian – Comes from Mount Hekla in Iceland, Eolie Islands off the coast of Italy, and Obsidian Cliff in Yellowstone National Park. Linked to Pele, Hephaestus, and Hades. Obsidian is the protector of the heart and helps you by bringing safety into your relationships.

Lapiz Lazuli – Comes from Afghanistan, Chile, Serbia, the USA, and Myanmar. Linked to Aphrodite, Athena, Zeus, and Hera. This stone provides the protection needed to speak as your authentic self and is connected to your throat chakra.

Black Tourmaline – Brazil, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Namibia. Linked to Aradia and Hecate. Black Tourmaline releases negative energy from your mind and inspires a positive attitude.

Smoky Quartz – Comes from Mozambique, Switzerland, Brazil, the USA, Madagascar, Australia, and Scotland. Linked to Persephone, Ares, and Gaia. Protecting you from fear, negative thoughts, instability, and depression, this stone is often used for grounding.

Amethyst – Comes from Brazil, Uruguay, South Korea, Russia, the USA, and Southern India. Linked to Dionysus and Artemis. Providing healing energy and peace, amethyst is often kept after a breakup to nurture self-worth.

Carnelian – India, Brazil, Egypt, and Uruguay. Linked to Pele, Hephaestus, and Apollo. Carnelian protects you from fear and provides a sense of safety to take risks and try new things.

Hematite – Comes from sedimentary deposits in Lake Superior, Brazil, Venezuela, and Canada. Linked to Hephaestus, Ares, Hades, and Aradia. This stone protects you from negative energies of those around you and it kept to boost self-esteem, confidence, and willpower.

Anxiety

Amethyst – Comes from Brazil, Uruguay, South Korea, Russia, the USA, and Southern India. Linked to Dionysus and Artemis. In respect to anxiety, amethyst encourages balanced emotions, courage, and decision-making.

Labradorite – Comes from Canada, Poland, Norway, and Finland. Linked to Hecate. Labradorite helps you see the light at the end of the tunnel and provides new perspective.

Rhodonite – Comes from Russia, Sweden, New South Wales, California, and New Jersey. Linked to Aphrodite. Clearing away past emotional wounds, rhodonite eases the anxiety of new relationships.

Kyanite – Comes from Myanmar, Cambodia, Kenya, Nepal, Tibet, Brazil, Switzerland, Russia, and Virginia. Linked to Nemetona. Kyanite brings tranquility to anxious minds and encourages meaningful communication.

Howlite – Comes from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, Germany, Russia, and California. Linked to Selene. This stone is a calming stone and rids you of rage, pain, and stress. Howlite also teaches patience, calm communication, and emotional expression.

Selenite – Comes from Mexico, Poland, Russia, Greece, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and the USA. Linked to Artemis and Selene. Selenite promotes mental clarity and deep healing, minimizing the weight that anxiety holds.

Shungite – Comes from Shunga Village in Karelia, Russia. Linked to Bacchus. This stone helps ground you and eliminate bad luck and bad energies.

Gemstones for Wealth

Pyrite – Comes from Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, and the USA. Linked to Apollo, Hephaestus, Athena, and Persephone. This stone enhances connection, protection, and security to bring good fortune and prosperity.

Green Jade – Comes from Myanmar, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, Guyana, Surinam, Southern Europe, Russia, and China. Linked to Dionysus and The Fates. Green Jade brings the wholesome and nurturing nature of the Earth to increase physical prosperity and wellbeing in your life.

Amazonite – Comes from Brazil, Peru, Pike’s Peak in Colorado, and Virginia. Linked to Athena and Artemis. Connected to the heart and throat chakra, amazonite brings self-discipline, creativity, and compassion to help make dreams a reality.

Peridot – Comes from China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and the USA. Linked to Pele and Apollo. Peridot rids you of a bad conscious to assist you with your mistakes and provide space for great prosperity.

Malachite – Comes from Congo, Gabon, Zambia, Namibia, Mexico, Australia, and Russia. Linked to Hathor. Malachite helps you recognize and use your power, protects against harm, and brings wealth.

Citrine – Comes from Brazil, Russia, and Madagascar. Linked to Apollo, Hestia, and Demeter. Citrine promotes positivity, drives personal growth, and improves motivation to help you increase self-esteem, optimism, and good luck.

Tigers Eye – Comes from Griqueatown West in South Africa and Wittenoom Gorge in Western Australia. Linked to Ares. Tigers Eye is tied to the root and sacral chakra which help you get grounded. This stone helps you build a safe and strong foundation to increase motivation and bring good fortune.