Blog Landing

Something Old, Something New: Wedding Jewelry Traditions

September 4, 2014

The Old English rhyme “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” was intended to bring a bride luck in her marriage. Today, a bride likes to interpret this custom in her own unique way, often through distinctive choices in wedding jewelry. GIA offers some pointers, as well as points of inspiration, for the bride-to-be. (more…)

Sapphire Buying Guide

September 1, 2014

September’s birthstone, Sapphire, is one of the most beloved gemstones. Considered one of the “Big Three” (along with ruby and emerald), sapphire stepped into the spotlight with Princess Diana’s famous engagement ring, which Prince William then bestowed to Kate Middleton when he proposed in 2010. (more…)

The Magic of Micro-Mosaic Jewelry

August 28, 2014

“How did they make that?” It’s a common question that is asked the first time one sees micro-mosaic jewelry.

The astonished reaction is understandable. A square inch of micro-mosaic jewelry can have as many as 1,400 pieces of tesserae (a small piece of glass, stone, or tile) in just one square inch, and can shimmer in a dazzling variety of hues. (more…)

Diamonds Shape by Shape

August 26, 2014

When buying a diamond, you know how important the 4Cs are in defining diamond quality. But well before buying comes dreaming. And when you envision the perfect diamond you’ll own one day, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is its shape. (more…)

The Green Diamond

August 21, 2014

Colored diamonds have a special allure, and rare natural color green diamonds may be the most intriguing of them all.

The green color in a diamond is the result of exposure to radiation. The source of the radiation can be naturally occurring or performed in a laboratory. Natural radiation is the result of the diamond being exposed to radioactive uranium from rocks near the earth’s surface. Artificial irradiation is achieved in a lab using either a linear accelerator (called a linac), gamma rays or a nuclear reactor. (more…)

Ammolite – The Fashionable Fossil

August 14, 2014

If you’re intrigued by the origin of gemstones, then you’re probably going to love ammolite. Ammolite is iridescent fossilized ammonite shells found in Southern Alberta, Canada. (more…)

The Phenomenal Properties of Gems

August 11, 2014

All gemstones are gifts of nature. But what about when certain gems glint or glow with subtle hues that defy description? Different light conditions can turn a dazzling gem into a phenomenal one. (more…)

Getting Geometric with Jewelry Design

August 7, 2014

Jewelry made of simple shapes has been cycling in and out of fashion for centuries, and it’s currently in vogue with designers and fashionistas. (more…)

Men’s Jewelry: Alternative Jewelry Metals

August 5, 2014

Allow us to introduce you to these alternative jewelry metals: ceramic, tungsten carbide, cobalt, titanium, and stainless steel. Collectively, these alternative metals have become a big hit in men’s jewelry, especially men’s wedding bands, as well as other types of jewelry. (more…)

Peridot Buying Guide

August 1, 2014

Known to Egyptians as the “gem of the sun,” the yellowish green peridot has been treasured since the earliest times, and is the birthstone for August. It’s thought that this gemstone is 4.5 billion years old, as it’s found in meteorite remnants dating to the solar system’s birth.

If you’re shopping for August’s birthstone, our Peridot Buying Guide offers tips and advice on what to look for, particularly as it relates to cut, one of the most important factors in a peridot’s appearance. (more…)

History of Cultured Pearls, Part Two: The South Seas and Tahiti

July 28, 2014

In the past century, pearls have gone from some of the most expensive and rarest objects to jewelry that many of us can afford.

How this happened and what the future holds is a fascinating story. In part one of our series on cultured pearls we discussed how three Japanese men created techniques to produce the first akoya cultured pearls, which gave birth to the modern cultured pearl industry. Today, we dive into South Sea cultured pearls, Tahitian cultured pearls, and the rise of China as a leading cultured pearl producer.

Ready to set sail and learn about these treasures? (more…)

Ten Tips for Traveling with Jewelry

July 24, 2014

Packing for your dream vacation and wondering if you should bring your favorite pieces of jewelry? Wonder no more as we provide you with tips for traveling with jewelry. (more…)

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