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GIA Diamond Grading Reports: Understanding the Diamond Color Grade

January 26, 2016

If you’re shopping for diamonds and have done your 4Cs homework (color, clarity, cut, carat weight), then you already know that diamond color has a lot to do with overall diamond quality. The range of diamond color can be so subtle that your untrained eye may not be able to tell the difference between a nearly colorless diamond and a colorless one. But you’ll have no trouble in seeing the difference in diamond price. So how do you know exactly what you’re buying? That’s where an independent diamond grading report like GIA’s comes in. It provides a definitive, unbiased assessment of your diamond’s 4Cs, including its diamond color grade. (more…)

Not Just a Guy’s Guide to Custom Engagement Rings

January 19, 2016

If you’ve been shopping for an engagement ring, you’ve probably come across hundreds of different styles and designs – and the fact that you’re still shopping probably means that you haven’t found that perfect ring. You can keep on shopping, or you can visit your neighborhood jeweler and explore the option of a custom made engagement ring. This guide to custom engagement rings is here to help make sure the ring you give is perfect.

Having a ring custom made ensures you – and most importantly, she – will get the ring of her dreams. It will be an engagement ring like no one else’s, a unique and lasting statement of your love.

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How to Travel Hong Kong: Gemstone Edition

January 12, 2016

Though the name literally translates to “Fragrant Harbor,” Hong Kong is a crowded, tropical jewel of a town, with one of the highest square foot rent costs in the world and known for being the business and fashion gateway into China.

Hong Kong’s sovereignty was transferred from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Hong Kong has maintained its unique personality, making it an exotic locale for Westerners and Chinese alike. (more…)

January Birthstone: Where Do Garnets Come From?

January 4, 2016

If you’re lucky enough to be born in January, garnet is your birthstone. A gem found around the world, garnet comes in a painter’s palette of colors. So there’s bound to be a hue to suit your taste.

Garnets also come with a rich history. Red garnet necklaces graced the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Ancient Romans used carved garnets in signet rings to stamp wax seals safeguarding important documents. And the clergy and nobility of the middle ages had a particular affinity for garnet. (more…)

Jewelry Trends: 2015 Hits and Our Predictions for 2016

December 28, 2015

Now that 2015 is coming to a close, it’s time to review the jewelry trend predictions the GIA social team made for the year. We were so pleasantly surprised at their accuracy that we asked them to peer into their crystal balls again to see what will be trending in jewelry for 2016. (more…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry

December 19, 2015

An archer, a fish, a scorpion, a crab…connect the starry dots in the night sky and you get the Zodiac, a system of 12 signs associated with the constellations and born out of ancient myths and legends. Just as everyone has a birthstone, everyone has a zodiac sign tied to the date of their birth. This year, we had a lot of fun curating a series of zodiac-inspired jewelry, looking for pieces that offered a highly imaginative spin on the signs themselves, or reminded us of the personality traits associated with each sign. (more…)

Getting into the Spirit: Selecting the Perfect Holiday Jewelry

December 10, 2015

The holiday season is always something people look forward to, but we’re often swept up in planning, cooking, shopping and more, not leaving enough time for ourselves. One way to stay on top of your game and avoid the dreaded last minute, “What am I going to wear?” dilemma is by having your outfits prepared (and jewelry selected) well ahead of time. (more…)

Holiday Buying Guide: How to Clean Jewelry

December 3, 2015

Winter is here, and that means the holiday season is upon us! You might have already unpacked your winter blankets from their storage closet and maybe your down coat as well. But have you given your jewelry a good cleaning lately? (more…)

Famous Birthstone: December’s Turquoise Empress Marie-Louise Diadem

December 1, 2015

When we think of royalty, images of crowns, tiaras, and diadems instantly come to mind. Beautiful head ornaments intricately crafted in gold and encrusted with rare gemstones were once used as symbols of nobility, status, and the right to rule. They dazzled onlookers with their splendor, and even though royal families may have faded in political power, their relics continue to captivate. (more…)

Jewelry and Gem Photography Tips Using a Cell Phone or Tablet

November 26, 2015

Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a pro, the same photography tip applies: the best camera you can have is the one that’s with you. No camera, no picture!

The truth is, even the pros don’t always have their cameras with them, and sometimes they miss once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. But one camera almost everyone has with them is their cell phone. (more…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry: Sagittarius

November 23, 2015

An archer, taking the form of a centaur, a half human, half horse mythological character, strides across the night sky taking aim with its bow and arrow. The noble vision is Sagittarius, the constellation associated with the ninth zodiac sign covering those born between November 22 to December 21 – a sign that’s inspired some magnificent jewelry. (more…)

Holiday Buying Guide: Jewelry Gifts for Men

November 19, 2015

Are you looking for gift ideas for the guy in your life? When you want to get him something special, quality fine jewelry is not only a lasting gift that conveys deep sentiment, but it can be a very stylish choice, too. However, while there seems to be a wide variety of jewelry gifts available for women, finding the right gifts for men can leave many stumped. (more…)

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