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Famous Diamonds: The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

January 23, 2014

What makes a diamond famous? It might be the diamond itself, the story behind it or the people who’ve owned it. Today we kick off part one of our Famous Diamonds series, which will reveal the stories and secrets behind some of the world’s most extraordinary diamonds. First in the series is the 33.19 carat Elizabeth Taylor Diamond. (more…)

Super Bowl Bling Rings

January 16, 2014

The Super Bowl is the most popular sporting event in the United States – almost 110 million Americans watched it in February 2013. So it’s not surprising that the Super Bowl ring is a matter of serious interest. (more…)

Reinventing Lace

January 14, 2014

Lace is in. Big fashion houses are filling the pages of women’s magazines with haute couture lace clothing – dresses…shirts…scarves, and jewelry designers are no exception.

The handcrafted look is also popular, and it’s stoking demand for products with an antique appearance. These trends have trickled down to jewelry, and you’ll find beautiful pieces with lace-like qualities. (more…)

Transformation: Butterfly Jewelry

January 9, 2014

A timeless favorite, butterfly jewelry is often breathtakingly beautiful – and highly symbolic.

Consider how the humble caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon. After about ten days it emerges as a butterfly, the once-earthbound dweller now free to flit from leaf to leaf. This spectacular metamorphosis speaks to our own potential for growth and transformation. (more…)

Garnet Buying Guide

January 3, 2014

January’s birthstone, garnet, is known for its impressive variety of eye-catching colors, which can be almost any color of the rainbow. Garnets occur in green (demantoid and tsavorite), orange (spessartine), red (almandine and pyrope), and purplish red (rhodolite), plus a few rare garnets even change color under different types of light. But color is far from a garnet’s only attractive feature. (more…)

Rose Gold Revival

December 23, 2013

The ever-changing nature of jewelry trends is driven by a number of factors. Right now, rose gold is having its moment in the sun after precious white metals were the color of choice for the past few years. Let’s take a look at why that might be. (more…)

Holiday Buying Guide – Part 6: The Magic of Surprise: Tips on Buying Her Diamond Jewelry

December 19, 2013

In the 2013 GIA Holiday Buying Guide, we’ve talked about diamond jewelry styles and trends, and how to buy diamond jewelry, but as we near the end of the holiday, there is still one significant topic to address: how to buy her something she’ll love.

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Holiday Buying Guide – Part 6: Beyond Cuff Links – More Men Want Fine Jewelry this Holiday

December 17, 2013

While holiday jewelry purchases are predominantly for women, many men would love to be on the receiving end of the jewelry-giving. Today, GIA’s Holiday Buying Guide series continues with tips for buying jewelry for men.

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Holiday Buying Guide Part 5: Tips for Purchasing Fancy Cut Diamonds

December 12, 2013

The unique beauty and appeal of fancy cut diamonds make them the perfect choice for gifts of the season. Shoppers now have a wide array of choices, so there is something for every taste. In this installment of our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide series, you will learn about some of the special characteristics of fancy cut diamonds before you ever step into a jewelry store. (more…)

A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels at the Bowers Museum

December 10, 2013

Want to see some exquisite jewelry? Then make for A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels at the Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA (October 27, 2013 through February 15, 2014).

The Bowers Museum has curated more than 200 iconic pieces made by the storied jewelry house. Jewelry is organized around four themes: Elegance, Exoticism, Femininity, and Nature. Expect to see remarkable craftsmanship, dazzling gemstones, and a parade of innovative and timeless works. (more…)

Loving Leather Jewelry

December 5, 2013

Everywhere you look, you’re likely to see lots of leather: leather bracelets, leather belts, and a wide array of leather jewelry.

PUNK: Chaos to Couture, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit on punk style, whipped up interest in leather. The Green movement (some people view leather as a natural product), urban fashionistas wanting to look hip, and the rising prices of gold and platinum have also spiked interest. (more…)

Diamond Blemishes Defined

December 3, 2013

Last week, we talked about internal characteristics, or inclusions, and identified some of the most commonly seen ones. Today, we take a closer look at external characteristics, or blemishes, which are confined to the surface of a diamond. (more…)

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