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…)
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…)
What better way to celebrate the love for your significant other than by giving heart shaped jewelry and diamonds this Valentine’s Day? As the world’s foremost expert in gems and jewelry, GIA offers a few tips and best practices before you set foot in your neighborhood jewelry store. (more…)
GIA created the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight) as a universal method for establishing how to check diamond quality anywhere in the world. The 4Cs means two very important things: diamond quality can be communicated in a universal language, and diamond-buying consumers can know exactly what they are about to purchase.
The horse is a pervasive motif in the design world, and this year it will bolt out of the gate with more fanfare than ever. According to the Chinese Zodiac calender 2014 is the “Year of the Horse.” (more…)
What makes a diamond famous? It might be the diamond itself, the story behind it or the people who’ve owned it. Today we kick off part one of our Famous Diamonds series, which will reveal the stories and secrets behind some of the world’s most extraordinary diamonds. First in the series is the 33.19 carat Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. (more…)
The Super Bowl is the most popular sporting event in the United States – almost 110 million Americans watched it in February 2013. So it’s not surprising that the Super Bowl ring is a matter of serious interest. (more…)
Lace is in. Big fashion houses are filling the pages of women’s magazines with haute couture lace clothing – dresses…shirts…scarves, and jewelry designers are no exception.
The handcrafted look is also popular, and it’s stoking demand for products with an antique appearance. These trends have trickled down to jewelry, and you’ll find beautiful pieces with lace-like qualities. (more…)
A timeless favorite, butterfly jewelry is often breathtakingly beautiful – and highly symbolic.
Consider how the humble caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon. After about ten days it emerges as a butterfly, the once-earthbound dweller now free to flit from leaf to leaf. This spectacular metamorphosis speaks to our own potential for growth and transformation. (more…)
January’s birthstone, garnet, is known for its impressive variety of eye-catching colors, which can be almost any color of the rainbow. Garnets occur in green (demantoid and tsavorite), orange (spessartine), red (almandine and pyrope), and purplish red (rhodolite), plus a few rare garnets even change color under different types of light. But color is far from a garnet’s only attractive feature. (more…)
The ever-changing nature of jewelry trends is driven by a number of factors. Right now, rose gold is having its moment in the sun after precious white metals were the color of choice for the past few years. Let’s take a look at why that might be.
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