It’s a pleasant September morning in the year 1622 and a majestic Spanish galleon sits in the port of Havana, along with 27 other ships of the combined fleet, their crews awaiting orders.
The Nuestra Señora de Atocha sits low in the water, weighed down by 964 silver bars, 161 gold bars or disks, 255,000 silver coins, and uncounted chests filled with undeclared (and untaxed) emeralds. Smugglers be warned: punishment is 200 lashes and ten years spent in chains, rowing a galleon.
Emerald, widely regarded as the definition of green for hundreds of years, is the perfect color for spring. From the poetic description of Ireland as “the Emerald Isle” to the vibrant green of the famed gemstone itself—the May birthstone emerald has captured hearts and minds through the ages. (more…)
If you love your jewelry, you’ll want it to always look as stunning as it did when it was new.
Ultrasonic cleaners can restore the beauty of your bejeweled treasures. These machines generate high-frequency sound waves that travel through water or a cleaning solution creating heat and pressure. Ultrasonic machines can effectively clean jewelry by dislodging dirt and debris from behind gems and other hard-to-reach places. (more…)
What better way for a jewelry connoisseur to celebrate Easter than with a Fabergé Imperial Easter egg hunt?
Between 1885 and 1917, master jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé (1846 – 1920) and his staff of around 500 craftsmen created just 50 of his treasured eggs for the tsars of Russia as Easter gifts. The Romanovs, specifically the Russian Imperial Families of Alexander III (father) and Nicholas II (son), were spellbound by these artistic marvels, and Fabergé sought to make each new creation surpass the previous. (more…)
What makes a diamond famous? It may be its rarity or even its size. But more often than not, a diamond’s fame comes from its association with a person of historical influence. Learn about the world’s most famed diamonds, including those owned by the luminary Elizabeth Taylor, the British Royal Family, and the renowned Napoleon Bonaparte. With jewels such as these, April babies are honored to have the most beloved and sought after birthstone: the diamond. (more…)
March 2nd is a special day for us at GIA, jewelry aficionados, and those shopping for diamonds and diamond engagement rings: it’s the birthday of Richard T. Liddicoat (1918 – 2002) – the father of modern gemology, an inspiring teacher to thousands of jewelers, and a leader in the development of the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ and GIA diamond grading reports. (more…)
The hero of this month’s installment in GIA’s series on famous birthstones is the bluish-green aquamarine given to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The rough weighed a staggering 1.3 kilograms that yielded two gems when cut. The largest, a rectangular step cut stone weighing 1,298 carats, has an interesting political history. (more…)
In the midst of the winter season, give a loving look at our favorite blue gemstones and jewelry. From a blue star sapphire to a vivid blue diamond, each of the featured blue gemstones below promises a cool blue hue to take you through the rest of the winter. (more…)
If you were born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003, you have a special reason to celebrate in 2015: you were born under the eighth Chinese Zodiac sign, the Sheep (also Ram or Goat). As a gem and jewelry aficionado, you’ll want pieces to add to your collection during this auspicious year. (more…)
Dreamy and romantic, the month of February is dedicated to sharing your love. Show appreciation for the most important people in your life with a token of affection. This gift will serve as an everyday reminder of your feelings for that person. A pink gemstone is a beautiful choice to consider. As you search for the perfect Valentine’s jewelry gift, learn about different types of pink gems so that you will know which one is perfect for you. (more…)
Valentine’s Day is nearing, and it’s hard to resist that warm feeling associated with this holiday. When you envision the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, the first thing that comes to mind is a heart shape. So why not turn up the romance with jewelry that features heart-shaped gemstones? Like all matters of the heart, making a wise decision in your purchase requires care and thought. (more…)
GIA presents February’s famous birthstone: amethyst as featured in the Duchess of Windsor’s amethyst necklace by Cartier. While the Duke and Duchess of Windsor commissioned many jewels, this stunning amethyst piece has both a love story and historic resonance behind it. (more…)