Just Gems: Zircon

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound Renata as she explains the difference between two often confused stones: zircon and cubic zirconia. Though similar in name, they are very different. Experts consider zircon to be the oldest naturally grown gemstone on Earth. Zircon comes in nearly every color in the rainbow, although the most popular and valuable is colorless. Colorless zircon is one of the most popular and affordable alternatives for diamond.

Fun Facts About Garnet

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she shares lots of fun facts about a gemstone named after a fruit, garnet. This January birthstone is full of personality…find out why!

Fun Facts About Diamond

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she shares fun facts about the hardest natural substance on earth....diamonds! We think you'll agree, diamonds are one hot mama!

Rarest of the Rare

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, on her quest to find a rare mineral prized by collectors, a pure gold crystal.

Fun Facts About Chrome Diopside

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she discusses chrome diopside. Miners can only reach this beautiful green gemstone when temperatures warm… which is a very short window in frigid Siberia!

Morganite

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she shares the history of the blushing pink beauty, morganite.

Fun Facts about Turquoise

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she reveals the original source of a stone popular in southwestern style, turquoise.

Fun Facts about Ruby

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she debunks some of the myths about rubies. This tantalizing gemstone may not have special powers…but it just might make you feel gorgeous!

Fun Facts About Minerals and Crystals

Join Renata for another exciting episode of "Just Gems" as she explores the world of minerals and crystals from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!

Introduction to Tools

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she returns to her alma mater, the University of Arizona, to visit the lab where she was trained. You’ll be introduced to some geological tools and learn how to use a jeweler’s favorite, the loupe.

Fun Facts About Amethyst

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she shares an interesting myth about February’s birthstone, amethyst. This “intoxicating” purple gemstone has been popular for centuries and continues to shine today

Fun Facts about Topaz

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she debunks the myths about topaz gemstones

Fun Facts About Sapphire

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she reveals some interesting facts about – and uses for - sapphire, a gemstone that is second only to diamond in terms of hardness

Just Gems: American Gemstones

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she heads west to explore some favorite gemstones found in America like sunstone, fire opal, turquoise, peridot, sapphire, rhodochrosite, and garnet. Learn the role ants play in locating one of these stones!

Fun Facts About Opal

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she reveals the formation of a gemstone that is mostly found “down under”…opal! This sparkling beauty didn’t begin life quite so iridescent.

History of Birthstones

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she shares the lengthy and interesting history of birthstones. Hint: they may have shown up in the Bible.

Fun Facts About Peridot

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she shares some fun facts about peridot. Cleopatra loved it, maybe you will too!

Fun Facts About Tanzanite

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she tells of the interesting discovery of Tanzanite. This blue beauty took the market by storm and continues to be highly sought after

Fun Facts About Moissanite

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata as she reveals the identity of a gemstone that is colorless, extremely hard, and has greater fire than a diamond…moissanite!

Inclusions

Join Gem Expert and Rockhound, Renata, as she debunks a common belief that all gemstone inclusions are undesirable. In fact, there are several gemstones that are more collectible and valued if they are included. Renata reveals a few.