Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel are the three birthstones for August. Though Peridot is the most commonly known, Sardonyx is the original August birthstone, with a history that dates back more than 4,000 years. Spinel however, wasn't officially included until 2016. One of our favorite gems at A+T, spinel... Continue reading

This month's birthstone? The ever-enchanting ruby. A 9.0 on the Mohs scale, rubies are just shy of a diamond in hardness, and are the most valuable per carat of all the colored gemstones. They can be semi-transparent to opaque, and range in hue from anywhere from light pink to... Continue reading

May's birthstone is the luscious green emerald. Variations of this rich green color suggest soothing, lush gardens and the perfect color for spring. Legend has it that emerald has the power to make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted, and it was once believed to cure diseases. As... Continue reading

1. How did you meet?

We met in an ice cream shop about 14 years ago! We were both from small towns in Michigan. Taylor was working there and Katie would come in about 5 times a week because she had a major crush... Continue reading

March's birthstone Aquamarine comes in a gorgeous range of blues, from sky blue to peacock, and even cerulean. 

The serene colors of aquamarine invoke the tranquility of its namesake, the sea. In fact, the name “aquamarine” is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the... Continue reading

1. How did you meet?  

High school Theatre! It was a production of Dracula where Josiah had never done theatre in his life! He and Jeremy decided to audition out of the blue as a joke, then they got cast. 😂 I, who usually doesn't start... Continue reading

GOLD! We’ve all seen it, and whether matte or mirror polished, many of us have come to love its warm yellow hue. Today we’re becoming one with our inner geologist, and taking a closer look at where gold comes from, what makes it valuable, and things to consider... Continue reading

If you were born in February, your birthstone is the gorgeous amethyst. The purple variety of quartz that's rich in color which ranges from lilac to deep purple hues. 

The name “amethyst” derives from the Greek amethystos, which means “a remedy against drunkenness,” a benefit long... Continue reading

The Four C's of diamond quality

Every diamond is one of a kind, and each has specific qualities that determine its value.

Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. The Four C's of Diamond Quality - the universal method for assessing the quality of a... Continue reading