Like love, antique engagement rings never go out of style. Countless lovers have exchanged fede, claddagh, gimmel and toi et moi rings. They can be the perfect way to express your feelings for your partner and make both your hearts beat a little faster.
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Warm waters… clear skies… dramatic scenery – it sounds like a dream beach vacation, don’t you think? It’s also an accurate description of where you’ll find pearls. While you’ll likely need to go to remote destinations to find the June birthstone, our ancestors believed otherwise. (more…)
Emerald is the perfect May birthstone. Its rich color evokes the springtime green we see all around us. Yet emeralds are far from abundant: they are found in only where geological conditions are just right to produce this coveted green gem. Read on to learn more about this beautiful gem. (more…)
Is your mom sporty, hip, classic, or into DIY? We found jewelry styles to please every kind of mom under the sun. If you need gift ideas for mom, read on!
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As you’re shopping for fine jewelry, knowing how durable a particular gemstone is will help you determine how and when to wear it, and most importantly – how to care for it. In this post, we’ll go beyond the Mohs scale to demystify gemstone durability and provide tips for helping you choose a gemstone that could last a lifetime or longer. (more…)
Aquamarine, the March birthstone, is said to bring happiness to a marriage, calm waves, and keep sailors safe at sea: not surprising for a gem named after seawater. Aquamarine’s tranquil blues conjure peaceful waters and smooth sailing – unlike the often dry and desolate places where it is mined. (more…)
If you were born in February, your birthstone is amethyst – a purple gemstone that has starring roles in the jewelry and regalia of kings and queens. The February birthstone is found in the personal collections of Great Britain’s and Russia’s royal families. Britain’s Duchess of Windsor (1896-1986) commissioned a now famous amethyst necklace. Empress Catherine II (1729-1796) of Russia, also known as Catherine the Great, was particularly fond of amethyst and used the gem in buttons, earrings, necklaces and aigrettes (hair ornaments that usually held feathers, or were in the shape of a feather, and were often set with gems). Ancient cultures also loved amethyst and it has been found in 4,400-year-old jewelry. (more…)
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…)
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…)
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…)
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…)
