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GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

watch-wheel
Father’s Day Jewelry and Sports Cars: A Men’s Guide

Sports cars and jewelry may not seem to have much in common, but take a closer look and you’ll see that they frequently share common design elements: sleek lines, polished metal, bold color palettes and more. These design choices project status, power, and affluence; qualities likely to appeal to men. (more…)

Art Deco platinum, sapphire and diamond pendant/brooch.
The Timeless Allure of Art Deco

With the return of The Great Gatsby, which is in theatres now, we’re reminded of the Roaring Twenties, a time of prosperity in the United States. Skyscrapers sprung up in major cities, jazz rang out from speakeasies and Charles Lindbergh made the first non-stop transatlantic flight. It was a decade known for automobiles, radios, telephones, skyscrapers, and flappers. (more…)

acorn necklace
Gold Rush: Gold Jewelry Design

After years of being overshadowed by white gold, yellow gold is making a comeback! The demand for colored gold is usually dictated by fashion trends. Whenever shades of blue and silver are fashionable, the demand for white gold tends to increase. With Earth tones currently at the forefront, there’s a growing desire for yellow gold. (more…)

637 carat diamond necklace
World’s Most Expensive Necklace Sets a Guinness Record – L’Incomparable

GIA recently made headlines for grading the statement gem in what has been dubbed the world’s most expensive necklace by the Guinness Book of World Records. (more…)

"Maze" leaf earrings, set in sterling silver and Mother of Pearl.
GIA Museum features designer Kara Ross in “Aluminati: Students to Stars”

An exciting new exhibit series is making its way through GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California. “Aluminati: Students to Stars” highlights the talents of GIA alumni who have made waves in the gem and jewelry industry. The first exhibit in the series, featuring designer Kara Ross, debuted earlier this month and will run through November. (more…)

irish clauddagh ring
Wedding Jewelry Traditions Across the Globe

From ancient times to today, cultures around the world have celebrated wedding unions with wedding jewelry traditions. These customs offer a unique option for couples looking to infuse their wedding with beauty and personal meaning. (more…)

Aquamarines from Afghanistan
Aquamarine: A Member of the Mineral Species Beryl

As its namesake suggests, the cool blue hues of March’s captivating gemstone are reminiscent of a tranquil sea. Aquamarine crystals can grow in large sizes with excellent clarity. (more…)

elizabeth taylor crown
Oscar History: A Look at Noteworthy Jewelry

Some of the brightest stars in Hollywood will step onto the red carpet donning their most showstopping jewelry for the 85th Academy Awards. From Natalie Wood to Natalie Portman, movie stars have captivated audiences with their bling during awards season for decades. As we anticipate this Sunday’s glamour, join us for a  look back at noteworthy jewelry pieces in Oscar history: (more…)

Fire opal gemstone
Red Gemstone Buying Guide – Part 2

As passions ignite this month, a jewelry gift featuring a red gemstone is a token of love that can be enjoyed every day. While seen mostly in fashion jewelry, red gemstones are showing up as an option for the primary stone in engagement rings. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, who sports a 5-carat ruby engagement ring, have been influential in bringing gemstones to the forefront of bridal trends. In addition to rubies, garnets and red diamonds, which we discussed yesterday, the following gemstones are more options for those looking to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a gift of a spectacular red gem. (more…)

Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
True Blue in Fashion

The color blue has inspired poets, songwriters and mankind for centuries. This season, it’s also inspiring plenty of fashion statements, as seen in Vogue, Elle and Los Angeles Times to name a few. It’s no surprise then that blue gemstones are some of the most coveted in the colored gemstone spectrum. (more…)

A classic American jewelry piece featuring a solitaire diamond ring with a band adorned with smaller diamonds.
Side Stone Settings for Engagement Rings

When choosing an engagement ring, there is more to consider beyond gemstone types. We covered popular center stone settings, and now we’ll share with you a few side stone setting styles. There are many options designed to enhance the gemstone’s beauty while reflecting the personality and lifestyle of its wearer. (more…)

The hope diamond in a new necklace setting surrounds the blue diamond 340 baguette diamonds totaling 66 carats
Is it a Color (Fancy Color Diamond) or Colorless Diamond?

Often when picturing a diamond, we envision the classic colorless gem depicted in films, showcased in engagement rings, or displayed with other popular jewelry in glass cases. A colorless diamond is the clear, classic diamond we envision. Many “colorless” diamonds possess very subtle hints of yellow or brown, colors that can affect the value of the stone.  But diamonds come in colors that extend beyond the D-to-Z color scale. And when the color of the stone is strong enough, the diamond becomes known as a “fancy-color diamond.” (more…)