March’s birthstone, the aquamarine, gets its name from the sea. From early days, its light-blue, dark-blue, and blue-green tones have reminded people of waves rolling to shore. What makes an aquamarine so special Aquamarine is a form of the mineral beryl. Beryl itself is colorless, but the imperfections within it lend color to jewels. One […]
Did you get engaged over the holidays (or on Valentine’s Day)? Congratulations! Along with showing off your new engagement ring to family and friends, there’s one more thing you need to do: protect it from loss or an “oopsie.” Don’t assume that your ring is covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. There’s usually a upper […]
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m highlighting four engagement rings that have caught the public’s imagination: for their symbolism, beauty, or sheer size. Here’s a countdown to recent history-making gems: The Taylor/Burton Diamond: For their second wedding, Richard Burton bought Taylor a 33.19-carat diamond, known as the Krupp Diamond. This platinum ring featured the center […]
While we’re in a cold, short month like February, the amethyst brings a rich, deep warmth to dark days. It ranges from a deep purple to a light purple-pink, to stones that have a touch of red. The GIA says this about the gemstone: “Amethyst is composed of quartz, which is the second most abundant […]
We’ve all heard about it (or experienced it ourselves). Siblings who aren’t talking any more due to hurt feelings from dividing up heirloom jewelry and other possessions. Tips for creating a legacy with jewelry No one wants this to happen. So here are some tips for passing along your heirloom jewelry while keeping peace in […]
Engagement rings bring to mind a sparkling diamond. But millennial brides want something more individual—a ring that speaks to their own interests and lifestyle. Here are some current trends in engagement rings, as noted by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Geometric shapes: Move over, circles and ovals, and make way for rectangles, triangles, and […]
There are some easy steps you can take to protect your prized heirlooms. Here are some of our favorite tips for taking care of and organizing your jewelry, baubles, rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Cleaning tips Clean as you go. Regular wear can leave oils and dust on your jewelry. One of the easiest ways to […]
As the winter world turns white and grey, the garnet birthstone lights up the new year. Your stone comes in a variety of colors and shapes, but all exhibit warmth and depth to illuminate short days before spring. A rainbow of colors You may think of garnets as a deep, rich red, but they can […]
According to a recent survey, almost a quarter of you say that Christmas Eve is the best day of the year to pop the question. If you (or a loved one) is newly engaged, congratulations! Here are some tips to make sure it stays safe and sparkling, courtesy of Brides.com and TheKnot.com. Make a call—to […]
I want my readers to be the first to hear about the latest trends. So I’ve turned to a leading jewelry industry authority, JCK, to give you a sneak peek at what’s going to be hot, hot, hot in 2017. Ready? Yellow gold engagement rings. Move over platinum and white gold! The trend of using […]
