For all of you men out there who are thinking of giving Valentine’s Day gifts here is a little hint, women prefer their hearts in gold and gemstones rather than boxes of chocolate. For all of you women for whom I am speaking –try leaving subtle messages, “you ’re cutting back on your sugar intake” […]
Category Archives: Jewelry
Your Extended Christmas List of Things to do This Weekend
Find the perfect things to do in Houston Christmas weekend with our super-expanded, six-day Houston Weekend Guide for Friday, December 21 to Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 2018. Make your way through four interactive Christmas installations, lace up your skates to hit the ice at Discovery Green, treat the family to one of several holiday-themed productions and […]
The Native American Legend of Turquoise
Legend has it that the Native American Indians danced and rejoiced when the rains came. Their tears of joy mixed with the rain and seeped into Mother Earth to become Sky Stone Turquoise. Turquoise, the “fallen sky stone” hidden in Mother Earth, has been valued by cultures for its beauty and reputed spiritual and life-giving […]
The History of Squash Blossom Jewelry
The squash blossom has developed slowly and has roots deep in non-native culture and history. The principle part of the necklace is the crescent-shaped “Naja” pendant, which the Southwestern Indians first saw as iron ornaments on the horse bridles of the Spanish Conquistadors in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Captured or traded, these ornaments […]
Etcetera’s Beautiful Ruby & Diamond Lattice Necklace
This necklace took over Crimson Garland’s record as the most expensive ruby and diamond necklace sold at auction. In June 2015, it was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong for $12,997,122 to anonymous buyer. This necklace was designed as an articulated brilliant-cut diamond lattice-work band. It centers on a line of graduated pear-shaped diamonds. And those are framed by […]
Elizabeth Taylor’s Ruby Was A Stocking Stuffer
Richard Burton gave her the stunning jewel on Christmas day in 1968 It may not be one of Elizabeth Taylor’s most famous jewels, but her ruby and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels has one of the most delightful backstories. “One day I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world” […]
How to Choose Alexandrite
Alexandrite tends to contain few inclusions. Good color change and strong colors have a higher value. Green/purple hues are more desirable than yellow/brown. Look for a medium lightness that allow for maximum color vibrancy. Stones that are too light look washed out while stones that are too dark can appear black. When certain types of long, thin […]
How to Buy Emeralds
The Importance of the Four C’s Though we use the same 4 c’s for emeralds, we give greater or lesser weight to each one, according to its particular significance when assessing emeralds. Let’s take a look at each one, in order of importance. Color Without a question, color is by far the most meaningful of […]
The 37.8-Carat ‘Chalk Emerald’ Will Take Your Breath Away
Exhibiting the most highly prized velvety deep green color, the 37.82-carat Chalk Emerald is displayed near the Hope Diamond in the National Gem and Mineral Collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The gem was sourced in the famous emerald-mining area near Muzo, Colombia — a destination widely known as the world […]
Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle’s Diamond Tiara
Meghan Markle wore a stunning diamond tiara designed for Queen Mary loaned to her by the Queen as she walked down the aisle of St George’s Chapel, but what is the Queen Mary tiara and where did Meghan get the tiara? Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan UP NEXT: Queen Elizabeth walks down Abbey aisle in […]