It’s Columbia with a U
"You do Colombian emeralds, right?” We get this question all the time. First, we do not source Colombian emeralds since we’ve not found a way to do so that follows our protocols, though we do have some gorgeous Brazilian emeralds! But more importantly to answer this question, it’s actually Columbia with a U - our name was inspired by the PNW where we were founded and proudly continue to operate from today. The Columbia River separates Oregon and Washington state and our first office building once overlooked that very river. In the 1970’s when Eric first began, it was very...
Water of the Sea Gem
As we approach Springtime, there's a new birthstone making waves. Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for March and a member of the beryl family (just like Emerald or Morganite). This gem's direct Latin translation means "water of the sea" and even referenced in Greek Mythology, one of which tells a story of Aqua washing ashore after spilling from a treasure chest of Sirens. Outside of mythological tales, Aqua comes from a variety of locations around the world. Today, our team works with rough primarily sourced from Nigeria, with other significant deposits found in Brazil, Mozambique, Zambia, and Afghanistan. Our Nigerian...
Responsibly Sourced Moss Agate from India
Moss Agate continues to be one of the most requested gem varieties today, driven heavily by consumer demand. Even with its popularity, it is highly unusual to know where or how this material is brought to market. So, in true Columbia Gem House fashion, we wanted to offer an option where you know both of those things. Sourced from Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra, India, our Moss Agate is mined by one miner who works closely with local farmers to create a mutually gainful use of farming land. After the annual harvest, the mining takes place just before replanting for the next growing...
New Carvings - Zodiac Collection
Our newest gem carving collections are officially available on our site! And since we just landed in Pisces season, what better time than now to find your sign? All 12 astrological signs - Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and of course Pisces - are each available in limited quantities. Individually hand carved, each piece is truly a work of art and depicts modern Western constellations through their respective form as animal, human, or object. The Zodiac signs have been a part of various cultures for thousands of years and continue to be popular today....
Miss us in Tucson
What a crazy few weeks! We’ve finally made it home from Tucson and settling back into our typical day-to-day. The gem shows are always a refreshing start to the year, and we love visiting with everyone at our booths! But we also know not everyone was able to make it. If you weren’t able to make the trip, didn’t get everything on your list, or just didn’t get a chance to stop by our booths, we have two words for you: virtual meetings! If you’re still on the hunt for some remarkable gems, we are offering virtual meetings to...
The gemstone color of the year is...
The Pantone color of the year for 2024 is... Peach Fuzz. This gentle peachy tone captures a soft delicate warmth with a modern youthful elegance. We think this color matches our Oregon Sunstone perfectly. So does that mean 2024 is the year of Sunstone?Have a look at these gems and let us know if you think our Oregon Sunstone should be the gem color of 2024. Embrace the warmth of Peach Fuzz! SHOP SUNSTONE