Chances are you’re probably giving your mother flowers this Mother’s Day. In the U.S., nearly 70% of all gifts given on Mother’s Day are flowers. It’s a sweet tradition that’s centuries old. If you want to treat your mom with flowers that won’t wilt or fade, consider floral jewelry instead. (more…)
Jewelry designers have long been enchanted by the sea. It’s a subject rich in beauty, myth, and romance – all classic elements of fine jewelry. (more…)
Many jewelry shoppers, for reasons varying from cost to personal preference, consider “diamond alternatives” in place of a natural diamond. However, when asking a jewelry retailer about diamond alternatives, you are likely to receive a number of different answers. (more…)
Wondering where to start in creating your jewelry wardrobe? GIA put together this list of 11 Pieces of Jewelry Every Women Should Own. Jewelry essentials to ensure that you have the perfect accessory for any event.
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Once destined for industrial use, low-quality rough diamonds were thought to have too many impurities or inclusions to be used in high-end rings, bracelets, and necklaces. But today, these diamonds are making their way into luxury jewelry. So why the sudden interest? (more…)
We typically think of insects as pesky critters that make us squirm. Caterpillars, flies, and moths are not what many would consider the winners of Mother Nature’s beauty pageant. (more…)
After years of hiding in the watery depths, mermaids, mythical half-human sea creatures, are surfacing everywhere – in a provocative photo shoot in the December 2013 issue of W ; on countless Starbucks’ cups (the mermaid is their corporate logo); in television shows like Mermaids and H20: Just Add Water; Pinterest, Etsy, and on bridesmaid accessories and wedding dresses. (more…)
The story of the Cheapside Hoard has the twists and turns of the finest detective novels.
Between 1640 and 1666, nearly 500 items – including jewelry and loose gems – were placed in a wooden box and hidden in the cellar of a building near London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. A large Colombian emerald pocket watch; a rose-cut sapphire and diamond cross pendant; an enameled gold ring set with a large table-cut diamond; a 2,000-year-old Egyptian agate cameo – these were just a few of the spectacular pieces secreted away.
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Of all the diamonds in our Famous Diamonds series, the Koh-i-noor has one of the most mysterious pasts. It is likely from the Golconda region of India, although it is not known exactly when it was found, resulting in centuries of debate about its early history.
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The Cullinan II is a 317.40 carat (ct) cushion cut diamond and the centerpiece of the British Imperial State Crown. Do you know the history behind this beautiful diamond? (more…)
Judging by what celebrities wear on the red carpet, luxury cocktail rings continue to reign supreme. If you’re looking to bring some sparkle to your favorite Valentine, consider giving her (or him?) a ring with gems of grand proportions, one that’s a fashion statement and a work of art. But be warned: while these jumbo rings dazzle on the red carpet, only some may be suitable for everyday wear. (more…)
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