Emerald, widely regarded as the definition of green for hundreds of years, is the perfect color for spring. From the poetic description of Ireland as “the Emerald Isle” to the vibrant green of the famed gemstone itself—the May birthstone emerald has captured hearts and minds through the ages. (more…)
Happy Earth Day! How grateful we are to the Earth for the basic elements that sustain our lives and the natural beauty that makes life worth living. Among Mother Earth’s many wondrous gifts are rare rocks and gem crystals – treasures that form deep beneath her surface. When fashioned and polished, they become the strikingly beautiful gemstones that have captivated mankind for millennia. Gemstones in their rough, unpolished form have an intrinsic beauty of their own, hinting at the potential of what they can become.
Loyal? Patient? Dependable? If that sounds like you, then you’re probably a Taurus, and we have some jewelry to go with your birth sign. (more…)
The 1960s gave us the Beatles, flower power, and the first moon landing, but also war and political upheaval. It was a time of turmoil and unprecedented social change, and the period’s influence on fashion and jewelry design was unmistakable.
Fashion goes in cycles, so the saying goes. Jewelry motifs from the 1960s are now showing up in contemporary designs, and 60s vintage jewelry is a hot item for many jewelry collectors. We think that’s groovy! (more…)
Ready for a diamond adventure?
We’re heading off to Lesotho – a landlocked Kingdom about the size of Maryland. Surrounded on all sides by South Africa, this mountainous land is the home of the Letseng diamond mine, one of five major diamond mines in the country, and the source of some of the world’s largest and finest diamonds discovered in the last decade. (more…)
If you love your jewelry, you’ll want it to always look as stunning as it did when it was new.
Ultrasonic cleaners can restore the beauty of your bejeweled treasures. These machines generate high-frequency sound waves that travel through water or a cleaning solution creating heat and pressure. Ultrasonic machines can effectively clean jewelry by dislodging dirt and debris from behind gems and other hard-to-reach places. (more…)
If you have heirloom jewelry pieces hidden away in dresser drawers, bank vaults, and jewelry boxes, it’s time to take them out and give them another look.
Heirloom jewelry has sentimental value, something a loved one may have worn. Whether it is a one-of-a-kind piece that’s handmade or a mass produced item, it represents an emotional attachment to the original owner.
What better way for a jewelry connoisseur to celebrate Easter than with a Fabergé Imperial Easter egg hunt?
Between 1885 and 1917, master jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé (1846 – 1920) and his staff of around 500 craftsmen created just 50 of his treasured eggs for the tsars of Russia as Easter gifts. The Romanovs, specifically the Russian Imperial Families of Alexander III (father) and Nicholas II (son), were spellbound by these artistic marvels, and Fabergé sought to make each new creation surpass the previous. (more…)
What makes a diamond famous? It may be its rarity or even its size. But more often than not, a diamond’s fame comes from its association with a person of historical influence. Learn about the world’s most famed diamonds, including those owned by the luminary Elizabeth Taylor, the British Royal Family, and the renowned Napoleon Bonaparte. With jewels such as these, April babies are honored to have the most beloved and sought after birthstone: the diamond. (more…)
Those born under the astrological sign of Aries (March 21 – April 19) are thought to be independent, enthusiastic, and courageous – and such a group would naturally want jewelry that is just as unique. (more…)
If you’re searching for a diamond that has a lot of brightness and is somewhat less conventional than the standard round brilliant, a princess cut diamond might be perfect for you. (more…)
March 2nd is a special day for us at GIA, jewelry aficionados, and those shopping for diamonds and diamond engagement rings: it’s the birthday of Richard T. Liddicoat (1918 – 2002) – the father of modern gemology, an inspiring teacher to thousands of jewelers, and a leader in the development of the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ and GIA diamond grading reports. (more…)