Did you know the June has three birthstones to choose from? The most popular birthstone of choice is pearl, and there a few reasons why pearls are so special. These are all naturally colored pearls! Where They Come From Pearl is the only gemstone that comes from a living animal! Pearls are created inside a living mollusk with layers and layers of nacre (nay-kur), which is a mix of calcium carbonate and protein. The nacre coats an irritant inside the mollusks to create an inc

Choosing an engagement ring is a very exciting step in life! The style of a ring is a personal choice for the soon-to-be bride, as is the metal color. But, how do you narrow down the right metal for you with platinum, gold, and silver to consider? Color First The color of metal you like to wear is the most significant choice to make: · White Metal Options: platinum, white gold, silver · Yellow Metal Options: gold · Rose/Pink Options: gold If you chose yell

Sterling silver is a great, lower cost, white metal to wear! While the price is less expensive than gold, people are often surprised when the cost to repair or size a sterling silver ring is so high, especially when it is set with gemstones. Why is that? Let’s talk about it! Thermal Conductivity Sterling silver and gold have different properties, so it makes creating and repairing them a different skill set. The most significant one, being thermal conductivity. Thermal cond

One of the most common questions my clients and friends ask me is about whether or not they should sleep while wearing their jewelry. I understand the desire – convenience being high up on the list. There is a famous phrase coined by DeBeers, “a diamond is forever.” But, that does not apply to jewelry! Confused? Let me explain. Why Jewelry Isn’t Forever Jewelry is made of precious metals that wear over time and get bent or snagged. Just like your car needs regular maintenanc

There is something about an engagement where the asker of the couple was the one who chose the ring and planned the whole event that makes me go, “awwww!” Taking the risk on choosing the engagement ring is brave, and if you are one of those people, I have a few tips for you because summer proposals are right around the corner! Look At Her Pinterest Board More than likely, she has a Pinterest board with engagement rings pinned to. These are ring styles she really likes, and i

When you gather your family together, its easy to notice both the similarities and differences among everyone. From personality traits and favorite foods to physical features, like height or hair color, each person brings something unique to the table. But, did you know gemstones have “families,” too? Take the birthstone for May – Emerald – as an example. It belongs to a fascinating gemstone family called Beryl, which also includes Aquamarine and Morganite. While these gemsto

At first glance, most diamonds can look the same, but spend a little time with them, and you’ll quickly realize there is a world of difference. While I could dive deep into full Gemologist mode, I want to walk you through my real, practical process for selecting a diamond, the same one I use for my clients every day. Because here’s the truth: The center diamond is what you’ll be looking at for years to come. You deserve to love it every single time you glance at your hand. Wh

Naturally colored diamonds are an incredible sight! From the deep gray-blue hue of the legendary Hope Diamond, to the unforgettable 6.10ct pink diamond worn by Jennifer Lopez, these gems deliver a true “wow” experience. But, what exactly makes a diamond naturally colored, and why are they considered so special? The famed Hope Diamond What are Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds? Natural, fancy colored diamonds are among the rarest gemstones on Earth. Like traditional white diamond

Have you ever went bowling during Rockin’ Bowl where they played fun music and had black lights on the lanes? Did your diamond ring emit a bluish, ethereal glow? What you witnessed is called fluorescence! What Is Fluorescence? Simply put, fluorescence is a bluish light emitted by a diamond when exposed to ultraviolet light. The most common color is the bluish glow, although, in rare cases, a yellow or orange light can occur. BUT, only about 25% to 35% of diamonds will actual

Just as any luxury item you own, your rings need regular maintenance. Just because a “diamond is forever,” it doesn’t mean the metal on your jewelry is forever without regular care. But, what does it mean when your jeweler says your ring needs a new head? This ring has a head with four prongs on the center diamond Prongs and Heads In order to tell you what it means, I need to explain what a head is first. Your diamonds and gemstones stay in place on your ring because they ha

If you are born in March, your birthstone is the stunning Aquamarine – a gemstone that perfectly captures the calming essence of the ocean. For those born under the Pisces zodiac sign, aquamarine holds an even deeper meaning, symbolizing a natural connection to water, intuition, and tranquility. I took this pic at the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum in Tucson, AZ What Does Aquamarine Mean? The name aquamarine comes from the Latin phrase for “sea water,” and for centurie

Purchasing fine jewelry can feel a little intimidating because there are so many unknowns, which is why it is always preferred to do business with a jeweler you trust. But, in order to trust someone, you need some basic information to start out with. Here are three areas to evaluate to help you decide if the price of a jewelry piece is fair or not, for purchase. Metal Quality Fine jewelry is fashioned in gold or platinum. Gold can be processed into different colors - yellow

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed when shopping for an engagement ring, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I hear is: Why do we give engagement rings in the first place – and why diamonds? The answer expands over 3,000 years of history, culture, religion, royalty, and even marketing. Let’s break it down. The Origin of Engagement Rings: Ancient Egypt (3,000 years ago) The first recorded ring exchanges date back to Ancient Egypt. Egyptians believed: · A ring

The warm sunshine of spring and summer makes it one of the most popular times of year to get engaged. Longer days, blooming flowers, and golden sunsets create a naturally romantic setting. If you are planning to propose, here are four simple but powerful tips to make your engagement moment smooth, meaningful, and unforgettable. 1. Practice What You’re Going to Say Even if you are great at thinking on your feet, practice your proposal speech ahead of time. The nerves you f

Jewelry terminology can feel confusing, especially when two words sound identical but mean completely different things. “Carat” and “Karat” are often mixed up but they measure two completely different things in jewelry. Carat (with a C) measures the weight of a diamond or gemstone Karat (with a K) measures the purity of gold in a piece of jewelry Although they sound the same, one refers to gemstone weight and the other refers to gold content. What is a Carat? A carat (ct)

For thousands of years, the amethyst meaning has been associated with protection, royalty, and clarity of mind. From ancient Greek mythology to royal crowns and modern fine jewelry, this captivating purple gemstone carries both legend and legacy. Known as the “stone of sobriety,” amethyst has symbolized wisdom, devotion, and strength across civilizations. Today, it remains one the most beloved gemstones in the world – and the birthstone of February. The Greek Myth of Amethyst

Most of us grew up believing gold was….well gold. So, it can be surprising (and a little confusing) when jewelers start talking about white gold or rose gold . Is gold naturally different colors? Short answer: no – but the magic happens after it comes out of the ground. Gold’s Natural Color (and Why it Changes) Gold always comes out of the ground in its natural yellow color. However, pure gold is very soft, which makes it impractical for everyday jewelry. To make it durab

Engagement rings are trending towards bold designs over petite styles. Here are four ring styles to look for in 2026: Bombe Style Bombe (bomb-ay) is a French word meaning “bombed” or “rounded.” The ring is a domed shape that can be covered in small diamonds, a solitaire (pictured), or both! Elongated Cuts Elongated cuts, like marquise (pictured), oval, pear shapes, and even antique cushion cuts continue to be favored amongst brides. Bold Solitaires Whether they are large ce

When most people picture garnets, they think of a deep, red gemstone. That’s no surprise – before modern gemology, red was believed to be the only color garnet came in. Today, we know better. Yes, these are ALL garnets! Picture credit: @giagrams Garnets actually appear in nearly every color of the rainbow, making them one of the most versatile – and underrated – gemstone in jewelry. If you are shopping for garnet or simply want to understand what makes on so special, here’s

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds? Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically near- identical to natural diamonds. The main difference is how and where they are formed. What is the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds? The main difference is origin. Natural diamonds form beneath the Earth’s crust over billions of years, while lab grown diamonds are created in a factory using advanced technology. They look the same to the naked eye. How a