Blog Landing

Jeweled Winged Wonders

January 26, 2015

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…)

The Jewelry of Downton Abbey

January 23, 2015

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…)

The Genius of Convertible Jewelry during the Art Deco Era

January 21, 2015

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…)

How to Select Diamond Side Stones for Engagement Rings

January 19, 2015

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 Art of Enameling: The Techniques

January 14, 2015

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.

(more…)

Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry: Capricorn

January 12, 2015

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…)

Famous Birthstones: Garnet – The Antique Pyrope Hair Comb

January 5, 2015

Happy Birthday January! We begin our famous birthstone series with none other than January’s birthstone, garnet. While there are many different species and varieties of garnet that come in many colors, perhaps the most well-known is pyrope garnet. Usually deep red, this gem is featured in the antique pyrope hair comb, a stunning and historic example of pyrope’s beauty, and GIA’s famous birthstone for January babies. (more…)

Jewelry Trends from the Spring 2015 Runway

December 29, 2014

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…)

GIA Holiday Shopping Guide: Finding the Perfect Metal for Your Jewelry Purchase

December 17, 2014

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.

(more…)

Turquoise Buying Guide

December 15, 2014

Found only in a few places on earth, turquoise is the second of December’s two official birthstones. Sought after for its robin’s egg blue and unique spiderweb-like patterns, it’s a perfect gem for unusual jewelry designs. (more…)

GIA Holiday Shopping Guide: How to Buy Pearls 101

December 11, 2014

Captivated by pearls? You’re certainly in good company. A favorite of legendary women including Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth, these beautiful spheres are the only precious gems made from a living creature – the mollusk. (more…)

GIA Holiday Shopping Guide: Buying the Right Diamond Shape

December 9, 2014

A diamond’s shape is often the very first consideration when selecting a piece of diamond jewelry. It’s quite clear why: each shape has its own attributes and offers a different aesthetic. Because of the wide variety of diamond shapes available, it’s important to zero in on the shape that works best for you. Today’s installment of GIA’s holiday buying guide series offer a few tips to help you pick the perfect diamond shape. (more…)

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog