Education
Spinel: Now the Prettiest August Birthstone
Spinel Joins Sardonyx and Peridot Exciting news to everyone with an August birthday – spinel is now one of your birthstones! It joins sardonyx and peridot on the official list of August birthstones. The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America (JA) decided in June to include it with August’s birthstones. JA’s president and…
Choosing Your Unique Ring Style – Eight Elements to Consider
Finding your Best Ring Style Some people can look at a picture of a ring style and say, “That is what I want!” And it works. But what about the rest of us? Who hasn’t tried on a friend’s ring that looks amazing on them and it just looks “OK” on us? Each of us…
Why Is Gold More Expensive Than Silver?
Silver and Gold As evidenced by price, gold has been considered more valuable than silver throughout modern history. As I write this blog, an ounce of gold costs over seventy-five times more than an equal weight of silver. Why the huge difference?
Black Gold — Fact vs. Fiction
Black Gold – Is It Real? [ezcol_1third] [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] Clients frequently ask me if I can design jewelry for them made in black gold. When I try to explain that black gold jewelry just isn’t a thing, they often send me advertisements from websites that offer it. When a jewelry company advertises “black gold,” this…
How To Send Ring Pictures to Your Jeweler Effectively
Getting Ring Work Done Through the Mail? I’ve had the pleasure of working long distance with many clients over the course of my 33 year career as a professional jeweler. Naturally, working on jewelry from a distance can pose certain challenges. That’s why I decided to write this blog post on photographing your jewelry, so that you…
What is the Mohs scale? Gemstone Hardness vs Durability
The Mohs Scale and Gemstone Hardness vs Durability Why should you care about the Mohs scale? People ask me about the hardness of gemstones all the time. They know that some gemstones are harder than others, but have no idea how to determine whether amethyst or diamond is the stronger gemstone besides stepping on it…