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GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

The “Age of Aquarius” is upon us, and gemstone lovers born between January 20 and February 18 can surround themselves with beautiful pieces that capture the spirit of the sign.

Keeping in mind that our stargazing is all in the name of fun, we did some zodiac-inspired sleuthing. We found that Aquarians are thought to be witty, clever, altruistic, inventive, and original. (more…)

Humans have long dreamed of flight and flying creatures. Artistic representations of the mythical griffin, a lion with eagles’ wings, date back to before 3000 BCE. Sprites and pixies have fluttered across centuries and cultures. Dragons are found in the folk tales in Asian countries like China and Japan as well as in Europe.  It’s no wonder that jewelry designers who, like all artists, find inspiration in what moves us most, are enthralled by the spirit of flight, and use it as a recurring motif in jewelry. (more…)

Ever wonder how the characters in Downton Abbey end up wearing such authentic (and beautiful) period jewelry?

Accessorizing many of the actresses in seasons three and four was Andrew Prince, a designer with an encyclopedic knowledge of jewelry history. Prince created tiaras and jewelry for the 2005 British comedy, Mrs. Henderson Presents (starring Dame Judi Dench) and the 2009 film, The Young Victoria (starring Emily Blunt and Miranda Richardson). He was invited to the show by costume designer Caroline McCall. (more…)

Jewelry styles can be influenced by unusual events – and such was the case with convertible jewelry.  While multi-use jewelry long preceded the Art Deco period, it was the Great Depression and some artful engineering that elevated convertible jewelry to new heights. (more…)

A diamond engagement ring is probably the most important piece of jewelry a woman will wear. Dressing up this symbol of love is something that speaks to the newly engaged and the long-time married alike. (more…)

The technique of enameling, or fusing glass in some form onto a metal substrate, is something we encounter every day – found in sinks, stoves, cookware, building cladding, and many other applications.  When used on jewelry, enameling becomes a work of craftsmanship that transforms an object of adornment into something beautiful.

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Happy 2015! What better way to ring in the New Year than by celebrating the allure of zodiac-inspired jewelry? Throughout the year, we’ll be taking a closer look at zodiac-inspired jewelry – pieces that spark our imagination because they remind us of the qualities or symbol associated with a specific zodiac sign.  We hope you’ll enjoy our zodiac series, and please don’t be shy about sharing our posts with friends and family! (more…)

If you’re a jewelry buff who’s settling into a long winter’s nap, you’re undoubtedly dreaming about 2015 jewelry trends. According to designers in New York, Milan, and Paris who debuted their lines during the recent Fashion Week Spring 2015 (Sept 4 – Oct 1, 2014), you can look forward to bracelets and more bracelets – from bangles, to bold cuff, to feathers.  (more…)

Getting someone the perfect jewelry gift is an art, especially during the holiday shopping season when you’re inundated with options at every turn!

To help you prioritize your choices and simplify your holiday shopping, start by choosing the right metal. When most of us think of fine jewelry, we think of gold and platinum. These are the most well-known of the noble metals and are most commonly used in jewelry. But they’re not your only options. Alternative jewelry metals are growing in popularity and are increasingly used by contemporary designers. Consider the innate qualities of each metal to be sure that you’re selecting the one that’s right for your jewelry gift.

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diamond bracelet

Holiday shoppers are giving diamonds an overwhelming YES. And it’s not just bejeweled engagement rings that are getting people to say ‘I do’. Recent studies indicate that women plan to buy more diamonds for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and “just because”.

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So many designs, so many options! Choosing just the right jewelry piece for a woman can seem daunting. As the authoritative source on diamond and gem knowledge, GIA put together this holiday shopping guide to help give you the confidence to purchase a quality gemstone or piece of jewelry any woman will love. (more…)

GIA’s 2014 Holiday Shopping Guides are here to help inspire your holiday shopping this season. Today, we discuss how to make the right choice when it comes to buying jewelry for men. (more…)