(ARA) – This year, when you think about jewelry, think chocolate. Brown-toned gemstones are the hottest jewelry trend going, and make the perfect gift — and this chocolate is calorie-free, so you can enjoy it without guilt.“For many people, it’s hard to think beyond the traditional diamonds and pearls when it comes to gemstones,” says Natalie Parman, vice president of merchandising at Jewelry TV. “But the options are endless … especially since colored gemstones are increasingly popular. Brown-hued stones are gorgeous and many gem varieties are available in this versatile, earthy tone.”Even diamonds are riding the chocolate wave. Brown diamonds, from the lighter champagne to the darker cognac brown are more rare than colorless diamonds, yet fairly easy to find. They look stunning in a cocktail ring setting or a pair of dangle earrings.

Another gemstone available in brown is Zircon. Known for its brilliance and luster, Zircon is often compared to diamonds. However, it is very brittle, so it needs to be treated with care when worn and cleaned.

Smoky quartz is also part of the trendy brown gemstone family. Its color ranges from brown to black to smoky gray and often comes in large sizes, making it a perfect gem for pendants and brooches.

Another quartz, Citrine, can be found in a range of yellows to golden brown and is a very popular stone for jewelry designers. Hollywood stars like Gloria Swanson helped popularize this gemstone in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Once again, big, bold gemstones are in vogue.

For a truly unusual gem, look no further than cat’s eye rutilated quartz, which displays unusual optical properties. Most varieties of quartz are well-liked because they have few or no inclusions. But cat’s eye quartz is prized because of its inclusions, golden needles of rutile that form different patterns inside the stone.

Topaz, the birthstone for December, also comes in wonderful brown hues from red-brown to champagne. Topaz can be costly and rare when it occurs naturally in unusual colors. Smoky quartz and Citrine are sometimes mistaken for Topaz.

Finally, Tourmaline can be found in almost every color, including brown. It looks beautiful in any jewelry setting.

Jewelry TV makes shopping for jewelry easy. Just visit www.JTV.com to see the entire collection of brown-hued gemstones and all the quality jewelry selections.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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