Choose from any of the colors of the rainbow and you will find it captured in a gemstone. Gemstones have always fascinated and intrigued people. For centuries, gems were reserved for the very wealthy and served as status symbols. They were frequently fashioned and worn for medicinal and religious reasons. Today, gemstones are purchased for their pleasure, beauty, and power of adornment.

The world of colored gems includes all gemstones except diamonds. With the exception of pearl, coral, and a few other organically produced materials, most gems are lustrous or brightly colored minerals found in the rocks of the earth's surface. There are three virtues of a colored gemstone - beauty, rarity, and durability. Beauty is found through the transparency and depth of color (ruby), the color alone (turquoise), or the "play" of color from the interference of transmitted light (opal). Rarity is not related to commonality; a mineral may be fairly common, but really fine material, suitable for fashioning into gemstones, may be quite scarce. Finally, durability or hardness determines whether the mineral is too soft or fragile to be worn as jewelry.

Colored gemstones used to be arbitrarily divided into two classes - "precious" and "semi-precious" - based on demand and value. Ruby, emerald, sapphire, and pearl were categorized as "precious" stones and all other gemstones like topaz, amethyst, peridot, aquamarine, and tourmaline were called "semi-precious." Today, however, most jewelers discourage the use of these terms because they do not accurately reflect the true value of the gem. An exquisite aquamarine commands a very high price and the rarity of a natural alexanderite is often priced higher than a fine ruby or diamond.

Unlike diamonds, there is no uniform grading system for colored gemstones simply because of the wide variations in color, clarity, and cutting found in colored gems. While clarity and cut play important roles in determining the value of a colored gem, color is the most significant factor. The intensity of color is the most important characteristic. If the stone is cut properly, then the gemstone will have a beautiful intensity. The tone of the color must be consistent, as well. The rich color of a gemstone is most beautiful when the tone is at its best. The color of a gemstone often has a range of highly prized colors that is tied to historical sources. This can be seen in blue sapphires, which come in many different shades of blue, based on the origin of the stone (Thailand, Australia, Ceylon, or Burma).

At Dodson's, we specialize in fine quality colored gemstones, both large and small. Every year, we travel to Tucson, Arizona to buy at the world's largest gem show, where hundreds of fine gemstone dealers gather to offer the best selection of colored stones. Our certified gemologist hand selects each stone with an eye towards the finest in quality and value. In this age of gemstone enhancements and synthetic production, it is more important than ever for the consumer to deal with a reputable and highly trained jeweler. Dodson's Jewelers has served the Inland Northwest since 1887 and is staffed by certified gemologists of the American Gem Society. Seeing is believing! Come in and see the magic of colored gemstones.