Color-coded chopping boards are being increasingly used in professional kitchens where different varieties of foods are handled on a large scale. Chopping boards made with wood or high-quality, food-grade plastic, are often manufactured in different colors, each having special meanings or symbolism. … [Read more...]

Discovered in Africa Many people know that turquoise is December's birthstone, but there are actually three of them. Another one is tanzanite, and unlike most other gems, tanzanite isn’t an ancient stone. It was discovered in 1967, so it doesn’t have much history. Manuel D’Souza, a prospector … [Read more...]

The Growing Popularity of Citrine Contrary to common belief, topaz is not the only stone for this month. Citrine is another of November’s birthstones, and since its discovery, it’s been beloved by thousands. At first, many were fond of citrine because it was so rare. As more citrine was … [Read more...]

Opal’s Meaning Opal, one of October’s birthstones, derives from the Greek word opallios, which means to see a change of color. For decades, people have associated opal with evil and misfortune. Sir Walter Scott, an author from the 19th century, is credited with sullying this stone’s reputation. … [Read more...]

Sapphire: September's Birthstone Deriving from both a Latin and a Greek word, sapphire is a combination of the terms saphirus and saphieros. Both words mean blue in their native tongues. While this is the most widely accepted belief, some believe that sapphire gets its name from Saturn. In some … [Read more...]

The Story of Peridot Peridot derives from peritot, which is French for gold. In certain lights, peridot radiates a gold hue, making peritot the perfect namesake. Discovered in 1500 B.C., peridot was welcomed to the jewel realm after miners unearthed it in Zabargad Island. When the existence of … [Read more...]

Discovered in India Hallmarked for their sparkling red hue and captivating sheen, rubies are a treasured gem. Discovered in India 2,000 years ago, this beloved stone has stood the test of time. The name ruby derives from the Latin word ruber. Ruber translates to red, which is wholly fitting for … [Read more...]

A Month of Multiple Birthstones Alexandrite and pearl are the gems associated with the month of June. Some would argue that the former is more widely recognized today as the sixth month’s birthstone, but June babies can still claim pearl as their birthstone. The discovery of alexandrite is quite … [Read more...]

The Rise of Emerald With its roots steeped in ancient history, the emerald has a rich and colorful background. Most prominently known for its dazzling green hue, emerald entices with its viridescent shades. Babylon is credited with discovering this stone in 4000 B.C. They immediately recognized … [Read more...]

Diamond: A Gem as Old as Time While historians can’t prove when diamonds were discovered, India is credited with unearthing this robust stone. Upon realizing the value and beauty of diamonds, they began associating them with religious icons. Much like the figures they idolized, diamonds were … [Read more...]