Looking for an elegant gift to give to someone special for the upcoming holidays or a landmark birthday? How about a brooch? Did you think they’d gone out of style? Well, we’re here to tell you that brooches are back—and in fact, this classic piece may have never left at all! The brooch has been…
$12 Million Private Gem Collection Headed for Auction
There are few things more elegant than precious gemstones. From rubies to the rarest of diamonds, people have been in awe of their magnificent beauty for centuries. Of course, the more precious and rare the gem, the more financially valuable they become. Gem collections all across the globe end up in family inheritances and estate…
Understanding Gemstone Heat Treatment
You might be surprised to find out that the “flawless” gemstone you’ve just purchased has been treated in a lab with heat in order to enhance its color. While it might sound like a process that would cause your gemstone to diminish in value, heat treatment is actually a very common practice among gem traders…
5 Little-Known Facts about Diamonds
There’s plenty of cultural significance and status associated with diamonds in today’s society, but one of the most interesting things about diamonds is their history. They’ve been important to other cultures for thousands of years, from the Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the Egyptians, to European kings from the Renaissance era. Here are some little-known…
The Science of Light and Diamonds
Do you ever wonder why diamonds seem to sparkle? Well, it’s not exactly the reflection of romance; there’s actually some science behind it! In fact, the sparkle of a diamond is due to a combination of its natural internal properties and the way it is cut. It is the craftsmanship of the diamond, coupled with…
Summer Gemstone Guide
With a warm summer around the corner, June, July and August birthstones will be popular choices, as well as a few other stones that represent the sun and natures growth. Here are some great stones for a summer birthday or jewelry purchase for those fond of the summer weather. Pearl The traditional June birthstone,…
The Four C’s of Diamond Quality
The four C’s provide jewelers and diamond collectors with a handy reference guide by which to ascertain the quality of a diamond. By familiarizing yourself with the four C’s, you can determine the approximate value of a diamond with relative ease. Carat The first C, carat, is simply the way the industry measures…
The World’s Most Valuable Gemstones
Sometimes, gemstones serve as time-honored heirlooms passed down through a family from one generation to another. There are other gemstones, however, that are so rare that they become astronomically expensive. For jewelers, rarity is a key factor in assessing the value of a gemstone. In this entry, we’ll look at a few of the rarest,…
Is Your Gold Jewelry the Real Deal? Let’s Find Out!
At first glance, it’s not always easy to distinguish real gold from clever imitations. Fortunately, there are a number of tests jewelers can use to confirm the authenticity of gold pieces. The easiest way to tell if you’re handling real gold is to check the piece for a stamp that says something like “10k” or…
How to Safely Clean Your Jewelry
Whether costume, vintage, or precious gems, our jewelry collection is very important to us. We want our jewelry to sparkle and shine, but we may not know how to keep them clean without causing damage. Different types of jewels and precious metals require their own unique methods of care. Knowing the right ways to clean…