Womens_Wedding_Bands

The unique lustre of pearls is mostly thought of in terms of creamy-white or faintly tinged with a pink glow. But these gems, too, can be fancy-coloured and come in definite shades of yellow, bronze, gunmetal, rose, green, blue and even black, the most romantic sounding of all, if a little melancholy. Tourmaline is a jewel of many colours. It is probably best known when bottle-green or in varying shades of red, from pink to a deep, wine shade. As well as blue, brown and yellow, it is found in a lilac colour. Perhaps the most fascinating type of tourmaline is the 'watermelon'; this descriptive term calls it to mind immediately. The way the delicate pink and green colours are deposited conjures up this attractive fruit, as if by magic. The blue of the sapphire is familiar largely because of

its popularity as an engagement ring, often framed in diamonds. The so-called 'star' sapphire is quite different, being an exquisite smoke-blue. The star-shape seen in its depths is caused by bunches of needlelike crystals, reflecting the light. The effect is emphasised by the smooth, dome-shape or cabochon cut, in which it usually appears.