Precious gems are comprised of the traditional four precious stones which are rubies, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. Their beauty is a matter of taste. What is considered a favorite today may be different a few decades from now.
The beauty of gems is made greater by shaping, polishing and cutting. Generally, beauty is considered first, followed by durability and rarity. A gem may be...
Graduation is an unparalleled achievement in the lives of many young people. Whether it's from high school or college, the event is the source of inexpressible pride for the student who has put in countless hours of study and hard work. When a loved one graduates, it's important to show her that we understand and appreciate the achievement. Gifts of jewelry are great for this purpose; they...
When contemplating gifts to give Dad on Father's Day, jewelry is usually not the first thing that comes to most sons' and daughters' minds. Even so, although few people are aware of it, the industry of men's jewelry is growing fast, as uniquely masculine jewelry items are increasingly in demand. Best of all, those who are in on this secret have a unique shortcut to a wealth of gift ideas. While...
When considering jewelry gift options, the most difficult part is choosing what type of jewelry to buy. Most women like to wear several different types of jewelry -- from earrings, to necklaces, bracelets, and charms -- and most do not have a single favorite type. On the contrary, many women like to have items that they can match and combine in creative and colorful ways. However, what a lot of...
Among American and international jewelry makers and buyers, sterling silver has long been one of the most popular and widely used materials for jewelry. With its unique silvery tone and sheen, plus its smoothness and its relatively light weight, the material is perfect for rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, charms, pendants, and essentially every other type of jewelry. In many cases, it can...
Birthstones are precious, often colorful gemstones that have traditionally symbolized the months of the year, as well as various other qualities. There are several traditions of birthstone categorization, but most systems have one or two stones associated with each month of the year. Historically, the birthstone tradition goes back at least two millennia to the first century A.D., when...
The measure of karats, abbreviated as "k," expresses the level of purity in a piece of gold. The purest gold is 24k, but to understand the true meaning of karats, it's best not to be mislead by the connotations of "purity." In other words, although the raw, pure gold is more valuable on the open market than less pure gold, it is extremely soft and malleable, making it essentially useless for...
