The spunky green peridot is the birthstone for August and the anniversary stone for 16 years of marriage. These stones are most valuable when they do not have a brown or olive-colored highlight. This stone can be found in abundance and comes in all sizes. This is a gentler gemstone and should be handled with extreme care.

The peridot is one of only a few stones still mined by Native Americans on a reservation in Arizona.

Most diamonds are purchased in engagement rings. One of the most pressing questions when it comes to choosing the perfect diamond engagement ring is how do you get the right size without blowing the secret? After all, this is a huge investment and one diamond that will be worn for a lifetime. Here are a few tips to secretly sizing a diamond engagement ring:

Take one of her rings and push it as far down on your finger as it will go. When it hits a stopping point, make a mark on your finger and have the jewelry measure your finger at the mark. Take one of her rings with you to get her ring size, but make sure its one that actually fits her ring finger.

Ask a good girlfriend to find out the ring size. Friends employ a number of sneaky methods to gain access to this kind of information. Be sure you choose a friend who can actually keep the secret!