Every girl loves gems and jewels. Their sparkling colors and intricate and unique designs make them the perfect addition to any collection. Though many retailers in the US have a wide variety of stones for you to choose from, If you want something unique and/or rare, you’re going to have to travel far and wide to find them.
What better way to go shopping for the perfect accessory complete with rare gems than to take an international trip? You’ll get to explore some of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations and find some of the most rare stones that money can buy. But before you pack your suitcase and get shopping, make sure you’re well informed – and a jewelry glossary is the perfect place to start.
New Orleans, Louisiana
When’s the last time you traveled to “The Big Easy”? Well-known for their delectable spicy creole dishes, eclectic arts and culture, some of the best live bands, and the famed Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana is a vibrant town in the south you won’t soon forget.
While you’re there, you can pay a visit to a very popular antique shop called M.S. Rau Antiques. In business for a century, this antique shop has some of the best kept secrets in the nation. In fact, if you shop estate ring sales you might find unique buys you won’t find anywhere else on the marketing including Pope Paul VI’s diamond ring or a David Webb Columbian Emerald ring both gorgeous and worth thousands of dollars.
India
Prepare to get your passport stamped and take a long plane ride to India. This beautiful, South Asian country is a destination you’ll likely never want to leave. With great cuisine and some of the finest linens to breathtaking architecture and culture, this will be an experience of a lifetime. Take pictures in front of the Taj Mahal, visit the inside of a royal residence and museum at Jaipur City Palace, and grab some of the country’s most famous dishes from Gali Paranthe Wali (Delhi).
What precious jewels will you find in India? Here is where the production of a beautiful color-changing stone known as Alexandrite are mined. Though originally mined in countries like Russia, India has been the supplier of these precious stones to the US. This stone can appear red in some places, but you will notice a captivating green in fluorescent lighting or in broad daylight, and many people are thrilled to watch it change. You can expect to pay $12,000 per carat if you pick one of these gems up from a retail shop.
San Benito County, California
Back to the states once again for the next “hidden gem”. If you love the great outdoors and picturesque views, then you’ll enjoy a visit to San Benito County, CA. Surrounded by mountaintops, and a plethora of historical and nature sites, this is the best locations for the outdoorsy adventurer and the history buff. You can take a walk through the San Juan Bautista State Park, go hiking at Pinnacles National Monument, or taste some of the country’s finest wines.
When you’re ready to go gem shopping, you’ll want to look for the official state gem known as the Benitoite. The blue-white color will grab your attention and take your breath away. Presently only being mined in California, this stone, although cheaper than some of the others discussed could cost a whopping $4,000 per carat.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Ready for your second passport stamp? Well, pack your bags and get ready for an exciting excursion to Tanzania. You’ll want to make sure you’ve packed your best pair of athletic sneakers cause you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, climbing, and exploring. You can climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro or visit the Kilimanjaro National Park where you just might be fortunate enough to come across some of the most exotic animals including leopards, buffalo, pigs, elephants, and more.
You’ll also find the last precious gemstone on the list at Mount Kilimanjaro known as the Tanzanite. Said to be a thousand times more rare than diamonds, the limited supply of Tanzanite jewels are a sight to see. With color-changing attributes much like the Alexandrite, the hues of blue, red, and purple can best be seen in vibrant lighting. Depending on the cut, clarity, and color, you’re looking at a price tag of $650 per carat or more.
Who knew that those colorful gemstones you so creatively tie together with your favorite ensemble came from so many different parts of the world? From Louisiana to California and South Asia to Tanzania, you can find some of the most stylish pieces mined from some of the most secluded parts of the world. So get that passport ready and those bags packed and get ready for the time of your life.
