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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, […]
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?,” […]
The opal is a perfect October birthstone with a fiery kaleidoscope of colors that mirror the changing autumn leaves. According to the GIA, the opal has always been seen as magical. Arabic legends say it falls from the heavens in flashes of lightning. The ancient Greeks believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy […]
June is the only month whose birthstone—the pearl—isn’t a stone. It’s actually made by a living creature, the oyster (or another freshwater or saltwater mollusk). When an irritant (like a grain of sand) enters the oyster’s shell, a layer of nacre (a protective secretion from the oyster) covers the sand and a pearl begins to […]
As the world grows green in the spring, it’s fitting that the emerald is May’s birthstone. It’s been revered for centuries…its name comes from the ancient Greek word for green, ‘smaragdus.’ The first known mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 BC. And it’s one of the four “precious” gemstones of the world, […]
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend about $4.6 billion on jewelry this Mother’s Day. Because what says “love” more than a sparkly bauble or memory-making necklace? I’ve got suggestions for you, whether you’re on the giving or receiving side. And if you’re on the receiving side, by all means, drop big hints! […]
I love to write about jewels, but I also love the simplicity of a beautiful gold chain. Did you know that every jewelry chain link has a name and a particular pattern? There are hundreds and I’m highlighting a few of the most popular here (with thanks to BigBeadLittleBead.com). Things to think about when you’re […]
With the diamond as April’s birthstone, if you’re lucky enough to have a birthday this month, you’ve hit the gemstone jackpot! It’s the world’s hardest natural material, the subject of poems, songs, and dreams, and the recognized “king of gems.” If you’re buying a diamond: the 4 C’s In previous blogs, we’ve discussed Carat, Clarity, […]
March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, here are 3 groundbreaking women of jewelry who have made a lasting mark on what we love and what we wear—from classic simplicity, to elegance, to glitz and glam. Elsa Peretti This architect-turned-model-turned-jewelry designer was commissioned by Halston to create accessories for him. By 1971, Tiffany’s came knocking—and […]
If you want to look into the soul of the seas, then March’s birthstone, the aquamarine, is waiting for you. Its name actually comes from the Latin for “sea water” and it was believed to keep people safe during ocean voyages. The aquamarine is a form of the mineral beryl and can be found in […]
