Sami Blog

July has the fiery ruby as its birthstone - the King of Gems! The deep red version of a sapphire, the ruby has been one of the most sought after gemstones for centuries. From the British Crown Jewels to Elizabeth Taylor’s spotlight ruby jewelry, this gemstone’s beauty continues to withstand the test of time.

There are a lot of questions that come up when shopping for jewelry. What’s the most secure style? Will this piece fit in with what I already have? While it can be fun to imagine yourself wearing new styles and mentally planning new outfits, another question might arise. Where did these gems even come from? With the American Gem Collection, we have the answer.

If you’re lucky enough to be born in June, you have two birthstones to enjoy! One is the classic and timeless pearl, while the other is the lesser-known and unique alexandrite. Both are rare beauties in their own right, but why would one month have two wildly different gems representing it? Why do particular gems get particular months? With our combined guide to both pearls and alexandrite, we’ll dive into these questions, and help decide which gem is right for you! (But really, why not have both?)

The month of May brings with it the last gorgeous blooming flowers of Spring, and the hazy heat of the approaching Summer. What better gemstone to celebrate this month than the emerald? Let’s take a trip to the Emerald City of Oz and forget about the ruby slippers for a bit, as we indulge in the gorgeous hue of emeralds! 

Everyone deserves to be spoiled on their birthday! For April babes, birthstone gifts include sparkling diamonds. While perfume, chocolate, and other presents can be nice, there’s nothing quite like the gift of jewelry.

March is in full swing! This month brings the long-awaited transition from Winter into Spring. I can think of no better gemstone to bridge the gap between the chilly nights into warmer days than aquamarine! Shimmering, sparkly blues perfectly complement the changing seasons. For this Spring equinox, check out some of our favorite styles featuring this unique gem!

Amethyst is one of the best known birthstones. With a vibrant, dark purple color, it’s easy to see why this gemstone was once considered among the most precious of gems! While this gemstone can be readily found all over the world, we’re impartial to amethyst that can be found right outside our own backyard - the Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst. Read on to discover some of our favorite Amethyst facts, and see our must-have jewelry designs!

As January comes to a close, we wanted to do a spotlight feature for this month’s birthstone: garnet. Most of you know about Arizona Anthill Garnet. This deep red gemstone has been nicknamed the “Arizona Ruby.” We can’t help but want to brag on gemstones that are mined locally! But, did you know that garnet can be found throughout the U.S., and all around the world? We’re spotlighting some of our favorite garnet jewelry that features not only Arizona garnet, but garnet from all over the world!

With so many of us travelling less and thinking a bit harder about what we choose to invest ourselves in, we thought it was a good idea to ask our staff what their top 10 pieces of jewelry are! These are timeless pieces that we think will be kept for generations. This list is perfect for gift inspiration, or keep it as a list of jewelry goals! 

Fall in Arizona is such a treat for all who live here. The weather has finally cooled down and the outdoor activities can begin! While we may not have colorful leaves falling before our eyes here in the Phoenix area, November’s beautiful birthstones, citrine and topaz, make up for the lack of color with their bright, fun, and energetic hues! These gorgeous gemstones are loved and cherished by many and both have unique stories and amazing properties that make them so special. Read on to dive deeper into the meanings and histories of November’s stunning birthstones.

Although October is usually known for its auburn fall color palette, it’s birthstones say otherwise! Opal and tourmaline are the birthstones for October, and their beautiful array of colors tells a different story. Rather than being limited to warm, autumn hues, opal and tourmaline feature several bright and lively shades. You are sure to “FALL” in love with all of the history, properties, and colors that these gemstones have to offer! 

Turquoise is perhaps the best-known gemstone to come from the Southwest. Today, it’s a hallmark of Native American jewelry and sculpture, as well as artisan jewelry and fashion. Read on to learn about the two main sources of Arizona turquoise that we carry - Bisbee turquoise and Kingman turquoise, and some practical turquoise knowledge.