As you’re enjoying this exquisite necklace, see if you can figure out what makes it so beautiful. (more…)
Perhaps the most popular gem of all time, June’s birthstone–the pearl–is as versatile as they come. Considered by many to be a staple of every woman’s wardrobe, the pearl is quite likely the earliest gem used for adornment. Our early ancestors foraged seashores and riverbeds collecting mother of pearl shells for ceremony and exchange – and when the rare pearl was found, it became a sacred possession. (more…)
Diamonds are prized around the world for their rarity. A gem-quality diamond is already one of the most rare items found in nature. Of all colored diamonds, one color in particular is especially rare: a predominantly red diamond. (more…)
In addition to Cullinan I and the already featured famous diamond Cullinan II, the 3,106 carat (ct) Cullinan rough also produced stones III-IX, plus 96 smaller diamonds. Asscher, the diamond cutting firm, retained these diamonds as payment for cutting and polishing the Cullinan rough. The government of South Africa purchased most of them and gave the diamonds to Queen Mary in 1910. (more…)
A diamond purchase is a significant one. Be confident you understand how to get the best diamond price. Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or for a gift to yourself or a loved one, it’s natural to want to save money when possible, or at least know you’re getting a good value. One frequently asked question is, can I get a better price by buying directly from someone in the supply chain who’s closer to the source? The short answer is: not really and here’s why:
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The Portuguese, a 127.01 carat Asscher cut diamond, was graded by GIA as VS1 clarity, M color, with Very Strong blue fluorescence. Photo: Chip Clark, Courtesy: Smithsonian Institution
Surprisingly, the 127.01 carat diamond called the Portuguese seems to have no connection to its namesake country. Legend claimed this diamond was found in the mid-1700s in Brazil and belonged to Portuguese royalty. However, there is no evidence to support this story. Instead, records indicate the diamond was found at the Premier Mine in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1910. (more…)
Chances are you’re probably giving your mother flowers this Mother’s Day. In the U.S., nearly 70% of all gifts given on Mother’s Day are flowers. It’s a sweet tradition that’s centuries old. If you want to treat your mom with flowers that won’t wilt or fade, consider floral jewelry instead. (more…)
Jewelry designers have long been enchanted by the sea. It’s a subject rich in beauty, myth, and romance – all classic elements of fine jewelry. (more…)
May’s birthstone, emerald, is aptly named the gem of spring. Its vibrant green color evokes a lush garden. In fact, inclusions in emeralds are sometimes called an internal “jardin,” the French word for “garden.” The most desirable emeralds range from bluish green to green with vivid color saturation. (more…)
Many jewelry shoppers, for reasons varying from cost to personal preference, consider “diamond alternatives” in place of a natural diamond. However, when asking a jewelry retailer about diamond alternatives, you are likely to receive a number of different answers. (more…)
At 243.35 carat (ct), the Jubilee is one of the finest examples of a diamond of exceptional size and quality (not to be confused with the Golden Jubilee, a 545.67 ct brown diamond). (more…)
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