September Newsletter 2023
Welcome to our September Gemstone Newsletter! We explore a number of exciting gems and hope you will find our newsletter both informative and inspiring.
Focus on Cat's Eye Gemstones
Some gemstones can display what is commonly referred to as the Cat's Eye effect where light is reflected in a parallel line from the gem's surface. The technical term is chatoyancy which is derived from the French expression, 'oeil de chat', meaning, 'the eye of a cat'. The Cat's Eye effect arises when needle-like or fibrous inclusions develop in parallel contours within the gemstones.
Skilled cutting and polishing is needed to create the phenomenon whereby a band of light seems to move across the surface of the stone as the gem is moved back and forth. The effect is found in many different gem varieties with the most common being:
- Actinolite Cat's Eye
- Cat's Eye Apatite
- Cat's Eye Aquamarine
- Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
- Cat's Eye Moonstone
- Cat's Eye Opal
- Cat's Eye Scapolite
- Quartz Cat's Eye
- Sillimanite Cat's Eye
The Brilliance of Red Zircon
Zircons come in many colors, but undoubtedly the most well known are the attractive blue gems. Red zircon is a lesser known type, but nonetheless a strikingly beautiful gemstone. It is found in shades of red from light pink to intense red hue and is often mistaken for ruby. However, red zircon has a higher refractive index which means that it displays exceptional brilliance and fire when properly cut.
Zircon has a high rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning they are strong enough to withstand the rigors of daily wear in any type of designs such as rings, pendants, bracelets or necklaces. If you're in the market for a distinctive red gemstone that exudes elegance and sophistication, red zircon may be just what you're looking for.
The Rose Colored Gemstone Rhodonite
Rhodonite is a beautiful gemstone that varies from a soft rose-pink to a bright flesh-colored red, with black dendritic inclusions. The contrast between the rose-pink and black creates a unique pattern for each gem adding to its attraction. Rhodonite is typically cabochon cut, tumbled, carved or drilled. This colorful gemstone can be found in various locations worldwide, but generally the higher quality gems are found in New South Wales, Australia.
September Birthstone
The September birthstone is sapphire. Blue sapphires are the most popular colored gemstones in the world. However, this iconic gemstone is also available in just about every other color you could imagine - even some that actually change color - as well as star cabochons and colorless versions.
Customer Questions and Answers:
Question
What is a doublet gemstone?
Answer
A doublet is a gemstone that is composed of two parts; usually valuable gemstone material in combination with other, less expensive material. This is not a natural occurrence, but rather a man-made fabrication where two pieces of material are glued together to form a sort a composite or "gemstone sandwich".
Usually the crown (top of the stone) is natural gemstone material while the pavilion (bottom) is composed of an inexpensive material such as synthetic sapphire, quartz or glass.
Question
How did Howlite get its name?
Answer
In 1868, Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist, Henry How, discovered this borate mineral near Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada; he described it as silicoborocalcite. James Dwight Dana, American geologist, mineralogist, volcanologist, and zoologist gave it the name howlite shortly after its discovery, in honor of How.
That's all for now.
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Happy Gemstone Hunting!
Team GemSelect
Overall Rating -> 9 
over the experience was similar to other sites i have used. The only real note I have is the checkout experience was tedious and discriminatory, i wouldn't accept visa gift cards, which not only have guaranteed funds but help protect from misuse of personal information, but would not accept my visa b/c it is a prepaid card. I don't have bank account and I have been using the prepaid card for years without issue so this was disappointing to me. I feel safer using reputable gem sites rather than amazon or ebay (I have been sold fake gems with fake certs on both), but not being able to use my own valid legitimate funds and having to find a friend to buy for me b/c I use a non-bank card like 40% of the country is insulting.
Posted By Iggywiggly in January, 2024
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Overall Rating -> 8 
I did not realize how small the stone was. I cannot use it for the project I wanted, but I am keeping the stone and tru to use it in something else.
Posted By Mark in March, 2024
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Overall Rating -> 10 
Always have good experience
Posted By Ginnie in September, 2023
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Overall Rating -> 7 
I placed order#384714 based on the picture on your website and the stone came in much darker. I'm sure it's the same stone i ordered but your lighting made it seem a lighter blue. I was trying to match a stone for a customer and based on the picture it would have been close enough but the stone in person is a mile off.
Posted By Bobk in February, 2024
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Overall Rating -> 10
Very excited and impressed with all your products. Keep up the good work....more different stones to choose from. I like Cabachons.
Posted By Meow in June, 2023
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Overall Rating -> 10
Purchasing from Gem Select was a pleasant and easy experience. The photos of the stones I was interested in were an accurate depiction of the stones I received. Ordering was easy and the items arrived within a week. Over all it was a very positive experience.
Posted By Dee in September, 2023
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Overall Rating -> 10
Great website and information
Posted By Moonshot in December, 2023
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