Sami Blog

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.

Who doesn’t love the bright green gemstone that represents the sunny month of August? With its beautiful color, amazing history, and unique spiritual properties, peridot is a gemstone loved by many.

Some have said that tourmalines represent the full color spectrum of the rainbow - and, essentially, they’re right! This versatile gem can be found in a full spectrum of hues. In California, this remarkable gem can be found throughout the state, but most mines are concentrated within San Diego County. This gem has been used in jewelry and relics for ages, and it’s beauty is still timeless and enduring. It’s no wonder that the California Tourmaline is one of our most popular American Gems!

Ruby is the July birthstone – and it’s one of the most coveted of gems. Called the “King of Gems” since it gained status in Ancient India, today it can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone. Here’s what you need to know about this beautiful gem!

Covering your face with some kind of mask isn't everyone's favorite thing before heading out, but it's become necessary. Though it may not be for everyone, wearing a fun face mask, and getting a bit elaborate with accessories, can be one small way to make a bad situation feel a bit more fun. Read on to see how we style unique masks with beautiful jewelry!

Being located in the Southwest, it’s easy to think immediately about the staple southwestern gem: turquoise. We want to dig a little deeper into another gemstone that reminds us of the red rocks and legendary sunsets of the desert: Garnet. That’s right, January’s birthstone can be discovered in Arizona, too! Though it’s only found in small amounts in Arizona, this gem has gained a cult of popularity for one reason. It’s mined almost exclusively by ants.

Pearls, one of June’s three birthstones, are one of the world’s most fascinating and unique gemstones! While the other two birthstones of June, alexandrite and moonstone, are equally as beautiful, pearls are most popular and are the “official” birthstone of this summertime month. Unlike every other gemstone in the world, pearls have never been “rocks.” Astonishingly, they are created by creatures in the ocean called mollusks, more commonly known as oysters. Read on to discover more about the gemstone and its amazing history, properties, and benefits!

Perhaps one of the most popular and well known American Gemstones is Montana Sapphire. This is for good reason, too - Montana, known as the “Treasure State,” produces nearly all of the sapphire mined in North America. With the rich blue of Yogo sapphire and fun fancy colors from other Montana mines, it’s easy to find a consciously-mined alternative to sapphires from mines all over the world. Some people love knowing they’re supporting responsible mining, others appreciate the importance of supporting our local economy, and some just love knowing the full story of their gemstones! No matter the reason, we’re here to guide you in choosing a gorgeous Montana Sapphire that’s perfectly suited to you.

With all of the changes going on in the world, the class of 2020 has had to find alternate ways to celebrate their amazing accomplishments and next steps into the professional world. Although not being able to have the traditional senior prom and graduation is disheartening, seniors have continued to stay positive during this time. Show your graduate that they are not forgotten with a beautiful, timeless gift...a lovely piece of jewelry! Read on for some grad gift ideas and inspiration that will last a lifetime.

There are so many milestones to celebrate in life, moments we want to treasure forever. Although this season of life may not look exactly the way you pictured it, there are still many ways to make the most of your special occasions. Though times may look a bit different, it’s still important to hold space for everything from graduation ceremonies to wedding anniversaries. There are many ways to celebrate these milestones in your life, even family is far! Here at Sami’s, we believe that a piece of dazzling jewelry is one perfect way to remember and cherish these important moments for yourself, your family, and friends. Read on to learn how you can celebrate these special occasions during the chaos our world is enduring as we walk you through the many important milestones this life has to offer.