Feb 7, 2019 | Once Upon A Jewel
In my 30’s used to tell the joke, “Do you know why men like younger women? Their stories are shorter.” My romance with colored gems and jewels is long, with so many stories.I’ve had 34 years with my business now and through gems and jewels I have...
Feb 7, 2019 | Designing Eye
Going from a good design to a great one isn’t a matter of luck. I met with a customer, Frances, who had two pairs of gorgeous, rare and vivid gems – yellow danburite and teal “cuprian” tourmaline. These are rare gems and great examples of their type. Both pairs...
Jan 23, 2019 | Colored Gems
As many of you know, I’ve spent over 30 years in the jewelry industry as a colored gemstone dealer and designer. Working as a dealer who supplied high-end jewelers and collectors for decades led me to understand the nuances of the international gemstone market,...
Jan 22, 2019 | Colored Gems
I was born with an eye. What makes it useful is 34 years of evaluating gem materials and assigning their characteristics to a mental grid I file away. One place my eye and savvy come into play every year is Tucson, which hosts the largest gathering of international...
Dec 18, 2018 | Cynthia's Reflections
That phrase is a running joke in our family, at least when my parents were alive. Dad married an Indiana farm girl; her maiden name Baker hinting of the future scores of pie crusts rolled out on the kitchen table over the five decades they were married. Dad loved pie....
Nov 20, 2018 | Jewelry Care
Friends, many of you ask for advice on storing your jewelry. Jewelry storage has two main themes: safety and accessibility. Your jewels are better off separated from each other so they do not abrade or scratch. Jewelry storage should also be accessible. If it’s...
Oct 23, 2018 | Designing Eye
“Oh, I like that lavender and green….,” Laura replied to my text showing her several pairing of gems for three-stone rings. “What should we do with them?”That’s always the next question, isn’t it? The unset gems move you,...
