When selecting birthstone jewelry, these factors determine both beauty and value:

Color Quality: For colored gemstones, color is the most important factor. Look for stones with rich, even color saturation. Avoid stones that appear too light, too dark, or have uneven color distribution. The finest stones show vivid, pure color.

Clarity: Clarity refers to inclusions or internal characteristics. While some gemstones like emeralds naturally contain inclusions, others like aquamarine should be relatively clean. Heavily included stones may appear less brilliant.

Cut and Polish: A well-cut gemstone maximizes its natural beauty. Quality cutting includes proper proportions, symmetry, and polish. Poor cutting can make even fine material appear dull or dark.

Setting Style: The setting protects your gemstone while showcasing it. Prong settings allow maximum light exposure and are popular for transparent stones. Bezel settings provide more protection for softer stones or daily-wear pieces. Consider how you'll wear the jewelry when choosing a setting.

Metal Choice: Gold (yellow, white, or rose) and platinum are standard for fine jewelry. Your choice affects both appearance and durability. Platinum is the most durable but costs more. White gold complements cool-toned stones, while yellow gold enhances warm-toned gems.

Size Considerations: Larger stones cost more per carat, but quality matters more than size. A smaller, fine-quality stone often provides better value and beauty than a larger, lower-quality one.

Certification: For valuable gemstones, certification from laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides verification of authenticity and quality. This becomes important for high-value purchases like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

Estate jewelry offers unique value for birthstone collectors. Pre-owned fine jewelry typically costs significantly less than comparable new pieces while offering the same gemstone quality. This makes higher-grade stones more accessible.

Vintage pieces often feature craftsmanship techniques and cutting styles no longer common today. Older cuts like old mine cuts and old European cuts create different visual effects compared to modern cuts, giving vintage pieces distinctive character.

At Radian, we evaluate and authenticate all estate jewelry. Our inventory includes pieces from various periods, each inspected by our experienced staff. We also provide restoration services when needed.

Custom design allows you to create exactly what you want. This works well when you have specific design ideas, want to incorporate family stones, or need unusual sizes.

The process begins with a consultation to understand your vision and budget. We can work from your ideas or help develop new designs. Our network of skilled craftsmen in Downtown Los Angeles enables us to execute everything from simple solitaires to complex designs.

Custom work lets you select specific gemstone characteristics. You can choose the exact color shade, size, and quality level you prefer rather than selecting from available inventory.

Radiam has specialized in fine jewelry for generations. Our business includes buying, selling, and trading custom and estate jewelry, which gives us comprehensive market knowledge.

Located in Downtown Los Angeles’ jewelry district, we have direct access to skilled craftsmen including cutters, polishers, and setters. This allows us to offer complete services from design through delivery, with quality control at every stage.

We carefully evaluate all gemstones, whether for custom work or estate pieces. Our experience enables accurate quality assessment and fair valuation.

For questions about birthstone jewelry, custom design, or estate pieces, visit radiam.com. Explore our collections on Etsy and eBay, 1st Dibs or learn more on our About Page.

Whether celebrating a birthday or drawn to a particular gemstone, birthstone jewelry offers both beauty and personal significance. Let Radiam’s expertise help you find or create the perfect piece.