How the gem Amethyst got its name.
Colored Gems
Sapphire Dreams
Looking for a story with a happy ending? Read on...Once upon a time, there was a bright and beautiful woman who became a wife and mother while...
Gem Cents: What Determines the Value of 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, including pricing…
Gem Services Concierge
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 players in every aspect of the colored gem world. I’ve missed three years in 36.
August’s new birthstone, Spinel – a rare, beautiful, “battery-powered” gem
Some of you may know the magnificent gem Spinel joined Peridot and Sardonyx as August’s birthstones this summer. Do you know Spinel? It’s about my favorite gem – at least in the top few.
Mussel Power
Cynthia Renée’s poetic nature loves the fact that “orient” is the gem trade’s name for the iridescent play of colors that undulate across the surface of fine pearls. After all, cultured pearls were first grown in the Far East more than a century ago…
Blinded by the Light
Collectors seek Sphene for its Light Show
On Earth as it is… on Mars?
Peridot has been discovered not only in the Earth’s mantle, but on the moon, Mars and in fallen meteors. However, a trip to Earth’s nightlight isn’t necessary to add this beautiful gem to a collection…
50 Shades of Red
A garnet…what do you see – bursting pomegranates…flames of crimson cabernet encircling your glass? Garnet comes from the Latin word Granatum referring to the red seeds of the Pomegranate; the true garnet palette extends…
Jewelry Shouldn’t Just Be Worn
It Should Awaken Something Inside You.
LATEST STORIES
Montana Sapphires: A Collector’s Journey into Bespoke Beauty
Explore the journey of crafting a bespoke jewelry collection with rare Montana sapphires—designed for a new collector seeking meaning, versatility, and beauty. From hand-selected gems to transformative designs, explore how fine jewelry becomes a personal legacy..Every...
Jewelry Hacks: How to Keep Your Brooch Secure and Styled
Brooches carry stories—of love, legacy, and personal style—but how often do we let them shine? In this post, I share fresh ways to wear your brooches, from playful groupings to unexpected placements, along with simplestyling tipsto keep them secure. Let’s bring your...
The Wisdom of Pearls: Lessons in Transformation and Light
Pearls symbolize wisdom, resilience, and transformation—formed through patience and adversity. Discover their deeper meaning and how they reflect your own journey. Pearls are more than luminous treasures from the sea—they are quiet teachers, whispering stories of...
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