We’ve all heard it a million times: “A diamond is forever.” But where did this idea originate from? The history of the diamond dates back thousands of years. Diamonds are found all over the world and on all continents, but putting diamonds on engagement rings is a practice made popular as recently as the 20th century. For many years the…
When your jewelry becomes too tight or gets damaged, it’s not the end of the line. Get your jewelry repaired as soon as possible before the damage escalates. Be diligent in collecting any pieces that fall off as well, because the jeweler will need them to do the repairs. What repairs can jewelers do? The most common jewelry repair services…
Pear cut diamonds are known for their stunning teardrop appearance that combines the qualities of round and marquis cuts. With exceptional brilliance, pear shaped diamonds contribute to a slimmer appearance of fingers and hands, and are prized for their soft and delicate look. Since pear shaped diamonds are cut for maximum brilliance, be sure to look for excellent symmetry in…
Happy Birthday, December! The December Birthstone is the Blue Topaz. The Blue Topaz gets its name from the Sanskrit word “tapas” meaning fire. In ancient times, Blue Topaz was thought to have cooling properties. Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals. Pure topaz is colorless, but changes of element inclusions within the stone will lead to a range…
Mixing classic and modern elements, oval cut diamonds are popular in all types of jewelry, especially engagement rings. Oval cut diamonds have incredible brilliance, similar to the faceted appearance of round brilliant cut diamonds, but the oval shape is modern and prized for accentuating long, slender fingers. While a diamond’s SHAPE is not part of the Four Cs of Diamonds,…
Happy Birthday, November! The November birthstone is citrine. Citrine gets its name from the old French word “citrin” which translates to “lemon.” Citrine is one of the most rare forms of quartz and can be found in colors ranging from pale yellow to a dark amber shade, commonly referred to as “Madeira,” as the color closely resembles the wine of…
Often mistaken for emerald cut diamonds, asscher cut diamonds are similar, however, they are square in shape rather than rectangular. Created in the early 1920s, the asscher cut has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. This cut shows off the clarity and color of the stone, so keep these facts in mind when shopping for your diamond. While a diamond’s…
Happy Birthday, October! The October birthstone is opal. The opal gets its name from the Latin word “opalus,” meaning “precious jewel,” and is prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect light into the shimmering rainbow of colors it is known for. Ancient legend says that opals fell from the heavens in a flash of fiery lightning, but, in…
Radiant cut diamonds are special for their uniquely trimmed corners, combining the lines of an emerald cut with the unparalleled brilliance of a round diamond. Radiant cut diamonds are also gorgeous when combined with a variety of other diamond cuts! While a diamond’s shape is not part of the Four C’s of Diamonds, it still will have a significant impact…
Happy Birthday, September! The September Birthstone is the Blue Sapphire. Named for the Greek word “sapphirus,” meaning the color blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite. Ancient civilizations said that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection. Sapphires are also prominent among the British Crown Jewels, and Prince Charles famously chose…
Emerald cut diamonds are special in their rectangular facets that are step-cut into the stone’s pavilion, giving emerald cut diamonds a unique optical appearance. This cut highlights the clarity of the diamond beautifully due to the large rectangular “table.” When it comes to the Four C’s of Diamonds, the Emerald Cut will highlight a stone’s clarity and color, so be…
Happy Birthday, August! The August birthstone is peridot. Peridot get its name from the Arabic word “faridat,” meaning gem. In ancient Egypt, peridot was called “gem of the sun” for their dazzling brilliance. Peridot is a mineral known as olivine, and can be found in various shades of green ranging from a light yellow-green to a deep olive hue. The…
