September’s birthstone, the luminous sapphire, checks all of the “s” boxes—sumptuous shade, strength, and stylish star: Its sky blue shade ranges from the vibrant hue of mid-day to the rich, navy of the night sky. And, while we think of sapphires as being blue, there can be other colors, as well. It’s strong, second only […]
What’s taking jewelry attendance? Well, ok, I made it up, but just as teachers take attendance of children in their class, this is a good time to take inventory of the valuables you own. Before scheduling an appraisal, I always ask a client how many pieces they have. I can’t count the number of times […]
May is the month of rebirth and growth—so it’s very fitting that its birthstone is the emerald. Emeralds are actually a form of beryl, which also gives us the blue-green aquamarine. To make things even more confusing, light green stones are considered to be green beryl. But only the vibrant green emerald is one of […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
As we enter the holiday season, chances are you’ll be getting together with family members. This is also a time when we think about passing down pieces of heirloom jewelry, silver, or other precious items to others. The Wall Street Journal reported that “baby boomers and elder Americans say personal keepsakes, family stories and last […]
