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GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

The Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt – Fabergé Imperial Eggs

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…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry: Aries

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…)

Famous Birthstones: March’s Roosevelt’s Aquamarine

The hero of this month’s installment in GIA’s series on famous birthstones is the bluish-green aquamarine given to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The rough weighed a staggering 1.3 kilograms that yielded two gems when cut. The largest, a rectangular step cut stone weighing 1,298 carats, has an interesting political history. (more…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry: Pisces

Are you meditative, selfless, creative, compassionate, and born between February 19 and March 20? Then you are a Pisces – and you’ll probably want jewelry that celebrates your lovely personality traits. (more…)

Year of the Sheep

If you were born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003, you have a special reason to celebrate in 2015: you were born under the eighth Chinese Zodiac sign, the Sheep (also Ram or Goat). As a gem and jewelry aficionado, you’ll want pieces to add to your collection during this auspicious year. (more…)

Celebrating Presidents’ Day: The First Ladies and their Jewelry

Pay close attention the next time you see a First Lady wearing jewelry: she may be using it to send a message.

America’s First Ladies undoubtedly wear jewelry to look stylish, but sometimes they choose pieces to make a statement. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said something a First Lady might have uttered: “Jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal…I do believe the right symbol [jewelry] at the correct time can add warmth or needed edge.” Jewelry revealed her diplomatic intentions, the context of the negotiations, and the ultimate goals. (more…)

Serious Bling: Celebrity Engagement Rings

You’re an actor or about to propose to one. What kind of engagement ring are you going to get your stunning bride-to-be?

That was the pleasant problem recently facing George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Kanye West, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Theroux, and Romain Dauriac, just to name a few. Their engagement ring choices garnered a lot of press, so lets take a closer look at what these men of means picked, and provide a bit of gemological commentary. (more…)

Got Game? Sports-themed jewelry for men

Since we’ve blogged about Super Bowl rings, we thought it was time to find jewelry and objets d’art that appeal to all sports fans, with these fun pieces of jewelry for men.

So lace up. Do some stretches. And get ready to see jewelry as well as objets d’art perfect for your sport of passion. (more…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry: Aquarius

The “Age of Aquarius” is upon us, and gemstone lovers born between January 20 and February 18 can surround themselves with beautiful pieces that capture the spirit of the sign.

Keeping in mind that our stargazing is all in the name of fun, we did some zodiac-inspired sleuthing. We found that Aquarians are thought to be witty, clever, altruistic, inventive, and original. (more…)

Jeweled Winged Wonders

Humans have long dreamed of flight and flying creatures. Artistic representations of the mythical griffin, a lion with eagles’ wings, date back to before 3000 BCE. Sprites and pixies have fluttered across centuries and cultures. Dragons are found in the folk tales in Asian countries like China and Japan as well as in Europe.  It’s no wonder that jewelry designers who, like all artists, find inspiration in what moves us most, are enthralled by the spirit of flight, and use it as a recurring motif in jewelry. (more…)

The Jewelry of Downton Abbey

Ever wonder how the characters in Downton Abbey end up wearing such authentic (and beautiful) period jewelry?

Accessorizing many of the actresses in seasons three and four was Andrew Prince, a designer with an encyclopedic knowledge of jewelry history. Prince created tiaras and jewelry for the 2005 British comedy, Mrs. Henderson Presents (starring Dame Judi Dench) and the 2009 film, The Young Victoria (starring Emily Blunt and Miranda Richardson). He was invited to the show by costume designer Caroline McCall. (more…)

The Genius of Convertible Jewelry during the Art Deco Era

Jewelry styles can be influenced by unusual events – and such was the case with convertible jewelry.  While multi-use jewelry long preceded the Art Deco period, it was the Great Depression and some artful engineering that elevated convertible jewelry to new heights. (more…)