For centuries, people have believed in the power of certain gemstones to heal ailments, strengthen hopes and ward off evil. Even if you’re not sold on the powers of crystals, it’s an intriguing concept. While there’s no scientific evidence that crystals can heal, they’ve been a part of what we now call “alternative medicine” for […]
People with silver come in two camps: Those who love showing off their serving pieces at holidays, and those who own/have inherited them but don’t want them. Here’s help for both—tips for cleaning your silver, and some options for getting silver out of your home. “I love using my silver at holidays—it makes my table […]
November has a pair of beautiful birthstones—topaz and citrine. Both come in beautiful shades of amber, which match the autumn leaves. But since we’ve covered citrine in a previous blog, let’s focus on the amazing topaz. Most gemstones have a typical color, but with a topaz, you aren’t limited to one tone…you have a rainbow […]
August is the only month to actually have three birthstones: the peridot, spinel, and sardonyx (known for its use in cameos). But for fresh green sparkle, nothing can top the peridot, which ranges from bright green to green-yellow. It’s also the stone for a 16th anniversary. Formed in volcanoes This gemstone was formed early in […]
Looking for a gift for that special dad or grad in your life? How about the elegance and style of cufflinks—think Cary Grant and Fred Astaire? As quoted in In Good Taste, “Cufflinks are one of the few versatile men’s jewelry accessories that can add a touch of flair.” Cufflinks, which reached their height of […]
Did you know June’s birthstone, the pearl, is the only gemstone created by a living animal? While traditionally white or cream, recent years have seen an uptick in black, gray, silver, green, pink, blue, and iridescent pearls. Natural vs cultured Natural pearls occur when a microscopic irritant (like sand) causes them to form in certain […]
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 […]
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, it’s time to talk about good luck. Whether you believe in lucky charms or not, it’s fun to show your favorites to the world in your favorite pendant, bracelet, or pin. Here are some of the more popular good luck symbols I’ve found. Which of these symbols says […]
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 […]
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, […]
