News

Did you catch this month’s Fair Trade Friday? For #fairtradefriday this month, we wanted to share something a bit different. We talk a lot about transparency and traceability, but one area we don’t think gets talked about enough (in the industry as a whole) is cutting. As cutters ourselves, we thought sharing a ‘Cutting 101’ of sorts could be helpful. Sometimes just understanding the basics of a process can help develop or form questions you might want to ask when buying your gems. So, here’s our 101 crash course of what it looks like to facet a gemstone. We also love your feedback!...

Many believe emerald to be a softer gem type but in reality, it is a variety of beryl just as aqua, morganite or our signature Neon Green Beryl™. All beryl, emerald included, is actually quite hard at 7.5 on the Mohs scale. The misperception of it being ‘soft’ is likely due to emerald frequently displaying small open cracks and inclusions, which can weaken the structure of the stone. While it is a hard gem, it does have some brittle qualities due to the harsh geological conditions in which it forms. This also means emerald is nearly always included. These inclusions...

As we continue to see color gems trending in jewelry designs today, we've also seen an increase in demand for melee gemstones. Now, we know it can be difficult to find a wide range of small cut gem varieties in one place, but we’re pleased to say that as these small cut gems continue to gain popularity, we continue to add to our Melee Gemstone Collection. With the widest selection of melee gemstones worldwide, Columbia Gem House cuts over 50 different varieties and colors. So, whatever you are designing with color melee, we are here to help! We regularly stock...

For centuries pharaohs, emperors, kings, and queens have used emeralds in their royal adornments. From Cleopatra to the legendary Crown of the Andes, emeralds have become the vibrant green gemstone to capture the hearts of many for over a millennium. For the month of May, this gemstone has become the traditional birthstone symbolizing loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and security. Over the last couple of years, we have been developing a responsible supply chain for emerald that met our Fair Trade Gems® Principles and Protocols. After more than four years in development, we are very happy to finally offer Brazilian-sourced emerald!...

Every gem has a story, and our updated Gem Facts Pages are where you can find detailed information about each gem we offer. Every tidbit of information builds a story behind the stone and in-turn, creates added emotional value to your work when shared with your clients. Montana Amethyst Chilean Lapis Black Spinel Rutilated Quartz   While there’s still a long list of gem stories to capture and upload, you can explore the most recent upload of our Gem Facts Pages now! More coming soon...   Explore Gem Facts

Can you name the benefits of traceability? When it comes to colored gems, there are some obvious (and important) answers like knowing the origin or understanding how it’s mined and produced. But what are the less obvious benefits?One benefit we wanted to talk about is how working with a supplier who is involved in all stages of the supply chain will go a long way in eliminating problems such as non-disclosed treatments, synthetic materials, or imitation gems being introduced into the market.This by no means is a comprehensive conversation about all the benefits of traceability but these are a couple...