Peridot, the August Birthstone, is about as close to a “homegrown” gemstone as we have in the US. Unusual in that it only really occurs in a single color, peridot is quite different from most gemstones.
Continue readingI color diamonds are on the cusp of the Purist Vs Realist debate. They’re not absolutely colorless but, then again, whatever color is there is usually extremely difficult to detect. This means the decision on whether an I color diamond is suitable for you comes entirely down to personal preference. What Is an I Color Diamond? On the official color scale of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), I color diamonds come under the heading…
Continue readingThe SI2 clarity diamond is a very controversial topic. In this article, we will try and give you a balanced approach to understanding all the views. We will explain the pros and cons, and also what to look out for. What is Diamond “Clarity”? Before we explain Si2 clarity, we will first have to explain diamond clarity in general. Every diamond has a grading or classification for the relative clarity of the stone. Within the…
Continue readingNot satisfied with just one, or even two birthstones, June has claimed three for itself. There were only two – pearl and moonstone – until 2016 when alexandrite became the third June birthstone. Pearl has long been popular as a gemstone, despite being fundamentally different to most other crystal-based precious and semi-precious stones. Moonstone has been a part of gemstone usage for millennia, with the Romans believing it was formed from solidified rays of the…
Continue readingThe ruby is one of only 4 precious stones, along with diamond, sapphire, and emerald. All others are semi-precious and carry neither the same affection nor (usually) the same value. As befits probably the most beautiful gemstone we know today, it is the sole birthstone of July and the height of summer. Ruby is actually a blue sapphire, as both are made of the mineral corundum. Of all gem-quality corundum, it is only rubies that…
Continue readingSo you live in town or you are visiting New York? And you want to propose? We’re locals and we know this city well! Here are the top 28 locations to go if you want to make a memorable proposal. If you need creative ideas for the proposal itself. Don’t worry, we have your back. The aforementioned article has over 65 different creative proposal ideas. Most of them can be easily done in New York.…
Continue readingWedding bands for men, generally, have changed significantly in recent times. They have gone from simple gold rings to now being available in a whole range of metals and designs.
Continue readingThere’s a reason why most of the buying and selling of loose diamonds is done by experts. Buying loose diamonds, for mounting into jewelry later, is a very different proposition to buying a finished piece. If you’re not fully prepared or haven’t sought out the right advice, it can be an expensive mistake. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. You just need to do it right.
Continue readingSo what makes an emerald precious? Its rarity is a bit part of why, as its beauty. Emeralds have long been both decorative and superstitious stones, despite high-quality examples being very difficult to come by. The emeralds (May Birthstones) that are exceptional are incredibly rare and fetch a price often equal to or in excess of a diamond of the same size and quality. You will hear the term “precious stone” used all the time…
Continue readingWedding rings (aka Wedding Bands) have come a long way. Although a plain, yellow gold band is still the most popular choice, it isn’t the only one. More and more, we are seeing wedding rings that go much further, with style and bags of creativity.
Continue readingSapphire is one of the 4 precious stones, along with diamond, ruby, and emerald. All other gemstones are semi-precious. This, alone, tells us that the sapphire is a very special stone indeed. In fact, although modern ways tell us that diamonds are the most precious and sought-after of all precious stones, it is actually sapphire which has long been the ultimate prize. Myths About Sapphire Like all gemstones, history and mythology go hand in hand…
Continue readingDiamonds, and the rings in which we see them set, come in all shapes and sizes. Often, it is a matter of personal taste as to whether the ring is discrete or a little bolder. In this article learn more about big diamond rings and what makes them so special. But are there advantages in looking for larger diamonds? After all, they cost more to buy, cost more to insure, and require more care to…
Continue readingProbably the two most well-known style periods still showing influences today are Art Nouveau and Art Deco. But there is also a widespread lack of understanding of the styles by many people. Many don’t realize the differences nor the overlaps between them.
Continue readingIt’s hardly a surprise if we say that the diamond is the hardest material we know. But we should probably also say that you can easily break a diamond with things you have lying around the house. But how can that be? It actually comes down to the definition of hardness. Hard Vs. Strong To say something is “hard” is not the same as saying it is “strong”. As an example, you can scratch steel…
Continue readingJanuary Birthstone: Garnet Garnet takes its name from the old English word “gernet”, meaning “dark red”. Therefore the expected color of a garnet is no surprise. The name “gernet” derives from the Latin word “granatus”. “Granatus” is also the root for the word “pomegranate”. Small red garnets resemble the small red seeds of the pomegranate fruit. However, the deep red gemstone we typically see is but one of a range of types of garnet. Myths…
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