ANT HILL GARNETS One of our favorite stories about gemstones is one Phil often tells about ant hill garnets. The ants find garnets while excavating their underground passages, then bring the gems out of the hole at the top of their hill and discard them. Rain washes the garnets and moves them down the ant hill. These are limited in…
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Now Is A Good Time To Buy Platinum Jewelry
Platinum prices are lower than they’ve been for years, making it more affordable than ever to purchase platinum jewelry. Price per ounce is less than gold! Scroll Down for Tips To Care For Platinum Jewelry Benefits of Platinum Platinum prongs offer better protection for diamonds, which is why the world’s most significant diamonds, from the Hope Diamond to the…
Read MoreLet Your Necklace Speak For You
NECK WEAR When you wear a ring or bracelet you can look down and see the brilliant sparkle of a diamond or the warmth of the gold. When you wear a necklace you usually only see it in a mirror, but anyone who is facing you sees it. So your neck can be a good place to make a statement…
Read MoreOpal or Pink Tourmaline For October Birthstone?
OPAL Opal is probably the most popular October birthstone. Some people think it’s unlucky for anyone born in another month to wear an opal. But that particular superstition comes from a novel written in the 1800s (Anne of Geierstein by Sir Walter Scott), and not from any ancient belief or experience. In fact, throughout most of history, opal has…
Read MoreMeet Carrie Zara Awan Designer at JBD
I am inspired by the details, the small intricate touches that make a jewelry piece reflect the designer. When all those little details come together they create something precious, a little world that the wearer gets to enjoy. My jewelry is many layers of detail. I am a lover of pattern and CAD technology allows me to embrace the intricate…
Read MoreSapphire Fun Facts, September Birthstone…
September Birthstone: Blue Sapphire Traditional Gift for 5th and 45th Wedding Anniversaries Fun Facts: “Royal Blue” The world’s most famous engagement ring is Kate Middleton’s and Princess Diana’s sapphire. Besides blue sapphire and ruby, the corundum family also includes so-called “fancy sapphires.” They come in violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and intermediate hues. Some stones exhibit the phenomenon…
Read MoreUpdate on Hope Spinel Auction
Hope Spinel Blasts Estimates, Record at Bonhams The Hope Spinel, the 50.13 ct. octagonal-cut stone that was once part of Henry Philip Hope’s renowned gem collection, sold for an incredible $1.5 million at the Bonhams London Sept. 24 auction, breaking the record for price-per-carat for a spinel. The price-per-carat was $30,000, nearly double the previous price-per-carat record for a spinel—$16,000, set…
Read MorePantone Unveils Spring 2016 Fashion Color Report
Fashionistas may have to adjust to calling fashion week in New York City by a different name—New York Fashion Week (Sept. 10–17) as opposed to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week—as that sponsorship has ended, but at least Pantone’s color forecast for the season ahead remains a constant. Yesterday, the self-proclaimed color authority unveiled its Fashion Color Report Spring 2016, calling its selects…
Read MoreRed Spinel to be Auctioned
The Hope Spinel, a 50.13 ct. octagonal-cut stone set in a 19th-century silver and gold brooch, will be auctioned at the Bonhams London Fine Jewellery Sale on Sept. 24. The stone was last sold in 1917. Bonhams estimates it will go for between $227,000 and $304,000. As its name suggests, the stone was part of the collection of Henry Philip Hope,…
Read MoreTourmaline
A Rainbow of Color Choices Tourmalines are some of the most brilliant and colorful gemstones. Ranging in color from green and pink, to red and blue and subtle colors in between. Tourmaline’s colors have many different causes. It’s generally agreed that traces of iron, and possibly titanium, induce green and blue colors. Manganese produces reds and pinks, and possibly yellows. Green…
Read MoreHow To Size Finger For Ring in Five Easy Steps
How Do I Find My Ring Size? Whether you are trying to surprise someone with a ring, or order one for yourself, it’s good to know the correct size. Many rings cannot be sized after they are made, for one reason or another so it’s important to get the size right the first time. Here are a few tips to help…
Read MoreMeet Erica Voetsch Creator of Unique Handmade Jewelry Designs
You may have guessed that Erica is our daughter. Some of you have met her and some of you know a bit about her jewelry designs. She has been working with us for years now in many aspects of the business. We’d like to share an update on her work and upcoming show. Erica Voetsch is founder of Majendie Jewelry…
Read MoreTHIN IS IN When It Comes to Diamond (or Sapphire) Wedding Bands
We’ve noticed a trend around here when it comes to buying wedding bands. Thin diamond bands are very popular. They look great next to a solitaire engagement ring and the popular halo rings with micro pave. Place a thin sapphire band next to a simple solitaire ring for a subtle pop of color. You…
Read MoreA Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring
Five Things to Consider Before you Buy Your wedding ring is your forever ring. It’s not only worn closest to your heart but it should make you smile every day as you wear it. You have a unique style, let it shine! Here are the top five questions to help guide you to make the choice of a lifetime. Would you like…
Read MoreRed Spinel vs Ruby
Red Gems with a Surprising History I was recently working with a client who wanted to commemorate her 30th wedding anniversary with a special piece of jewelry. As we talked we decided a ring would be appropriate for this occasion and the focus should be a unique gemstone. Her choices were narrowed to red spinel vs ruby. She wanted a…
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