Do you love being near the ocean? March’s birthstone, the aquamarine, can keep those waves close to you all year-round. Its blue-green depths are as clear and bottomless as the sea. Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin “aqua marina,” or “sea water.” Early sailors believed that it was a gift from the mermaids—and that […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
