With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, it’s time to talk about good luck. Whether you believe in lucky charms or not, it’s fun to show your favorites to the world in your favorite pendant, bracelet, or pin. Here are some of the more popular good luck symbols I’ve found. Which of these symbols says […]
Purple Passion: Celebrating the amethyst, February’s birthstone
If you love purple (and who doesn’t!), and your birthday’s in February, do we have a beautiful gemstone for you! The amethyst has been celebrated and beloved for centuries. Don’t get drunk on its color! The source of the amethyst’s name is a story all in itself— it’s from the Greek word, ametusthos, meaning “not […]
Love is in the air: Hearts, flowers, jewelry, and love, love, love
Nothing says love like a beautiful piece of jewelry. And in this season of love, I’m all about classic pieces of jewelry with hearts and flowers. Hearts As the part of us that represents life, giving and wearing a heart necklace represents pure love. It’s timeless and never goes out of style. And when you […]
Got engaged? Here’s how to care for your blingy, new diamond ring!
The holidays are prime time for romantic gestures. If you recently said “yes,” your next step (after showing off your new diamond engagement ring to family and friends) is to make sure it’s safe and protected. (These tips are also great if your ring isn’t so new!) Taking care of your diamond engagement ring Clean […]
The garnet, January’s birthstone, lights up the cold with its warmth
The new year brings a beautiful stone to celebrate January birthdays. The garnet, January’s birthstone, gets its name from the Latin for “pomegranate,” a nod to its rich wine color. It’s been found in Egyptian jewelry, Roman signet rings, and medieval nobles had a preference for the stone. Here’s some background on the garnet. There’s […]
9 Tips for taking care of family jewels (your heirloom jewelry)
Holiday season is prime time for family get-togethers. And as the generations gather, it’s a perfect opportunity to display your heirloom jewelry—pieces you’ve inherited from grandparents, parents, and other loved ones. Here are 9 tips for using, maintaining, and protecting your precious heirloom jewelry. Make the most of heirloom jewelry at holiday time Share the […]
Let your sterling silver pieces shine this holiday season
Are you holding off on using your fine silver—flatware, serving pieces, ice buckets—because you’re saving it for “some day”? Keeping these pieces shining takes less effort than you think. And you can wow family and friends by entertaining with these sparkling, elegant sterling silver pieces. Are you holding off on using your fine silver—flatware, serving […]
Celebrating Turquoise, December’s Peaceful Birthstone
December is such a hectic month that it’s fitting that its birthstone is the turquoise, which legend says bestows peace on the wearer. We love our turquoise jewelry! You may think of turquoise as a North American gem, but it’s actually ancient. Samples have turned up in excavations of Egypt (from 4,000 BC!) and China. […]
November’s golden birthstones: Citrine and topaz
November is such a lucky month that it gets two birthstones: citrine and topaz. Citrine, considered a “gift from the sun,” gets its name from “citron,” the French word for lemon. According to the GIA, yellow topaz has often been confused with citrine. Both are believed to have calming powers. Plus, since they’re generally affordable, […]
8 Easy Tips for Organizing Jewelry and Gemstones
There’s something about cooler weather that makes me want to organize things like closets and drawers. I especially look forward to organizing jewelry. Here are some easy-to-do ways to keep your jewelry safe, secure, and beautiful. Keep it together: When someone calls me for an appraisal and I ask, “how many pieces do you have?,” […]