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GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

More is More: The Artistry of Tony Duquette & Hutton Wilkinson

Tony Duquette and Hutton Wilkinson are two jewelry designers acclaimed for their original work.

More is More: Tony Duquette – Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry, the duo’s first-ever all-jewelry exhibit, debuted on Oct. 10 at GIA’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. The inventive body of work, which will be on display through March 2014, embraces a wide variety of styles, periods and palettes often showcasing unusual gemstones paired with rare materials in whimsical designs. (more…)

Faces of Eternity

Day of the Dead (the Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones) lingers long after its passing at GIA’s world headquarters with Faces of Eternity – a collection of 15 gem skulls by Peruvian artist and master carver Luis Alberto Quispe. (more…)

Citrine: November’s Sunny Birthstone

As the majority of the country heads into cooler temperatures of late fall/early winter, November’s birthstone, citrine, provides a much needed burst of sunshine. The warm, sunny color of this popular gemstone inspired its name, derived from the French word “citron,” meaning “lemon.” Its color ranges from saturated yellow to  reddish orange to pale  yellow. (more…)

Transylvanian Chic Jewelry

More than a century after Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published, fascination with vampires continues, as seen in film, television, fiction, fashion, and jewelry.

Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series has not only dominated the New York Times Best Seller list and the box office, it’s also unleashed a torrent of vampire-themed shows and movies, including Vampire Diaries, True Blood, and coming in 2014, Vampire Academy. (more…)

Black Is the New Black

Black never goes out of fashion, and this season it’s taking a prominent place in fashion trends, especially in jewelry.

Black diamonds. Black pearls. Black spinel. The love of black-color gems and jewelry ranges from the most affordable to the most luxurious, and for good reason. It’s incredibly versatile. It’s the color of sophistication and elegance. It’s both edgy and timeless. (more…)

Video: History of the 4Cs

The 4Cs – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight – describe a diamond’s appearance, define its quality, and greatly influence a diamond’s value. But did you know that before GIA established the 4Cs in the 1940s, there was no agreed-upon system by which diamond quality could be communicated? (more…)

Opal: The gemstone with fire inside

The October birthstone, opal, is noted for its individuality, magic, and mystery. Its unique display of flashing rainbow colors is unlike any other gem, and has been compared to volcanoes, galaxies, and fireworks. (more…)

The Timeless Intrigue of Colored Diamonds

As the creator of the 4Cs and International Diamond Grading System, GIA also established color grading standards and terminology specifically for colored diamonds, based on the color’s hue, tone, and saturation. Today, we identify some of the defining characteristics that help make fancy-color diamonds a true feast for the eyes. (more…)

Tourmaline: October’s Colorful Birthstone

Tourmaline has one of the widest color ranges of any gemstone. While October’s birthstone can be found in virtually every hue of the rainbow, the most popular varieties range from rich reds and pinks, to greens and yellows, to blues and violets. Some tourmalines are bi-colored and parti-colored, exhibiting two or more colors in a single gem – a feature known as color zoning. (more…)

Studying Synthetic Diamonds

Synthetic diamonds grown in a lab are virtually identical to natural diamonds, but that’s where the similarities end. In fact, there are two distinctive methods used to grow synthetic diamonds(more…)

Discover the Powers of Your Birthstone

Think of every passing year as an opportunity to celebrate with your birthstone. In fact, people have been wearing birthstone jewelry since the 15th century in Poland, when they were encouraged to own all 12. And while birthstone secrets and lore can be found right here on our blog, today we share what makes YOUR birthstone a powerful statement of your finest qualities. (more…)

Flaming Gorge Canyon & Brooch
Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places

As artists, jewelry designers are inspired in different ways. Some create to echo iconic eras of the past, like Art Deco or Art Nouveau. Some provide their own perspective on famous works of art in galleries and museums. But some have a keen eye for taking a part of their ordinary, everyday life, and turning it into something exquisite. (more…)