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January’s Birthstone, the Garnet, is a Vibrant Start to the Year

Winter skies may be gray, but January’s birthstone, the garnet, lends a sparkle that brightens the day. While they’re commonly red—ranging from rust to deep violet-red—garnets are actually found in a range of colors, including clear, pink, green (“tsavorite”), orange, yellow, brown, and black. Interesting facts Its name comes from Latin “granantum,” or seed—it resembles […]

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Turquoise

December’s 3 (Blue) Birthstones Will Chase Away Winter Blues!

If you like blue gemstones, you’re covered by December’s tantalizing trio. From the oldest to the most recently discovered, presenting (blue) Zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite. Here’s an overview of each (with thanks to the GIA and American Gem Society). Zircon Don’t mix this up with the man-made “cubic zirconia.” Zircons are natural crystals—and they were […]

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woman with ipad tablet

7 Tips for buying quality jewelry online

With all the at-home time, who’s not buying online? Well, jewelry’s no exception. Here are some tips if you want to buy beautiful baubles from your cellphone, iPad, or laptop. Know your site: There are reliable sites and then there’s “Joe’s House o’ Jewels.” Some, like chains and totally online sites like Blue Nile and […]

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citrine pendant

Citrine: Celebrating November’s golden birthstone

Just as leaves turn gold in November, this warm tone is reflected in November’s birthstones—citrine and yellow topaz. Originally confused with one another, they were believed to soothe tempers and calm the wearer. I’ve previously written about topaz, so here’s some background on beautiful citrine. The quartz connection Citrine is actually a form of quartz […]

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Engagement ring shopping? Start here.

It’s that time of year—while big weddings may be on hold, engagements are a go. And that means a decision on an engagement ring—often a couple’s first, large investment. Before you start shopping, here’s some useful background info on what your jeweler will ask you. What cut/shape do you want? Here are the 6 most […]

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Don’t like your jewelry? Repurpose it!

Do you have an old ring that…well, looks old? An heirloom pendant that’s just not your style? A mismatched earring? Instead of leaving it in the back of a drawer, create something new and exciting that you can’t wait to show off—redesign it, also known as “repurposing.” You can turn a ring into a pendant, […]

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