Ring Sizing – Seems Easy, Doesn’t It?
I love it when a client comes in with a new ring, and would like me to size it so she can pick it up in an hour. Realizing that she is very excited to receive and wear it, many jewelers “give in” to this service request. And yes, it is possible that for a very simple and straightforward sizing, especially sizing down, a quick turnaround can happen, perhaps during the same day. While getting this ring back on the finger is of primary importance to the wearer, the quality of the work should be of primary importance to the jeweler. Please click to continue …
Amethyst Ring
From time to time we find gemstones that are simply stunning. Sometimes they’re extremely rare or valuable, sometimes they’re an unusual cut, and occasionally the color is exceptionally bright and beautiful. A customer recently brought in this amethyst ring, and we think you’ll agree that it is certainly worthy of Featured Item status!
The 5.88 ct. amethyst is flanked by 8 small, round diamonds, and set in yellow gold.
Amethyst: February Birthstone
We begin the lovely month of February with a look at its princely birthstone, the amethyst, symbol of royalty, tracing its heritage to the Minoan civilization in ancient Greece about 2500 B.C. This is a gemstone that has been highly prized by monarchs of many countries over countless centuries, even though it is one of the most affordable and commonly available stones. Historians have absolutely no idea why kings and queens have loved this stone. Everyone knows the legend, that if you drink wine from a cup carved of amethyst, then you will never be drunk. Could it be that this story alone accounts for amethyst’s royal favor? Please click to continue
Garnet: January Birthstone
I believe almost everyone has seen or knows a garnet … that red or brownish red or pinkish red or brownish orange gemstone. All of this is true. But there is more, much much more. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the garnet family includes some of the most gorgeous gemstones in the entire world, and that includes almost every color imaginable. Please click to continue
Blue Topaz and Turquoise: December Birthstones
Blue Topaz and Turquoise: Two “Blues” for a Joyous Month of Gift-Giving!
Two “blues” define the official birthstones for December, despite the fact that this is one of the most joyous months of the year. Please click to continue
Citrine and Topaz: November Birthstones
Citrine, the golden variety of the mineral quartz, and topaz, which grows in many colors, are both the official birthstones for November. Both gemstones are commonly found in a variety of countries, the large production from Brazil topping the list. The public believes citrine is an inexpensive yellow to yellow-orange gem found in most jewelry stores, and that topaz is the blue gemstone found in every sterling silver and silver and gold designer line of rings, earrings and pendants. Both statements are true; however these beliefs form because that is what is generally presented by jewelers to their customers. Please click to continue
Opal: October Birthstone
Opal is one of the great gemstones of history, one of the least understood, and one of the most difficult to analyze and value. Please click to continue
Synthetic Diamonds
Scientists have been working for more than 100 years to develop a process for creating diamond in a laboratory. The creation of a synthetic diamond would bring significant benefit to a number of industries which require a material of its hardness and durability. Of course, it might also be of interest to buyers of jewelry, depending on its availability and cost. Please click to continue
Sapphire: September Birthstone
Sapphire, the birthstone for the month of September, is a favorite among natural colored gemstones. How can one possibly describe the electric richness of the rarest blue sapphire? People have tried for centuries: Oriental blue, navy blue, sport coat blue, deep sky blue, deep ocean blue … the list is endless. Blue sapphire is the most popular of the more expensive colored gemstones, and is purchased far more frequently than fine ruby or fine emerald.
Blue sapphire grows in an amazing assortment of colors. In fact, as the most popular variety of the mineral corundum, sapphires grows in all colors of the rainbow, with the exception of red, which of course is ruby, the birthstone for July. Even when we limit our discussion to blue sapphire, natures provides us with an astonishing set of hues, from very pale grayish blue to extremely dark bluish black, all part of the blue sapphire group. Somewhere in between, lies the deep pure blues from Myanmar, S’ri-Lanka, and the rarest very slightly violet blues from Kashmir. Please click to continue
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