6 articles
Every stone is an argument about light. We cover the optics, the treatments, the origins and the prices — without the mysticism.
Gemstones
A gemmologist's wearability guide — the Mohs scale, why hardness is not toughness, and a 30-stone table rated for daily rings, occasional rings and pendants.
Priya Raghavan, Gemstones Editor · 17 min read
Gemstones
All twelve modern birthstones plus the traditional and alternative lists — hardness, treatment, price per carat, care requirements and the honest reason each stone costs what it does.
Priya Raghavan · Updated September 16, 2026
Gemstones
Moissanite versus diamond compared properly — dispersion, hardness, colour, real 2026 prices, resale, and how to tell them apart without a laboratory.
Priya Raghavan · Updated September 17, 2026
Gemstones
Every major diamond cut explained — round brilliant, oval, emerald, pear, marquise, cushion, asscher, radiant and heart — with the proportions that matter, the light behaviour each produces, and what the cut actually costs you.
Priya Raghavan · Updated September 15, 2026
Gemstones
An emerald buying guide from a gemmologist — filler treatments and the F1 to F3 scales, Colombian versus Zambian origin, the jardin, and 2026 prices per carat.
Priya Raghavan · Updated September 16, 2026
Gemstones
A gemmologist's guide to buying sapphire in 2026 — colour bands, Kashmir versus Sri Lankan material, heat and beryllium treatment, and real prices per carat.
Priya Raghavan · Updated September 16, 2026