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by Elizabeth Simpson

Opals, the Opus of October

Ancient Romans thought that opals were the most precious of all stones because they contained all colors. Is there anything more amazing than the explosion of color that high quality opals flash? They’ve been prized throughout history for this unique property. Ever wonder what gives opals that flash of a kaleidoscope, that play of color? Opals are made of silica, which is a water based substance that forms in the cracks of rocks. Over time the water evaporates, leaving the silica to form round crystals. When the crystals grow, they create patterns which reflect light like rain through a rainbow. Not all opals show their rainbow brights. Common opal, or opal without the play of color, can be found in beautiful opaque colors like creamy pink, denim blue and even teal green. There’s also Mexican fire opal, which can be a transparent bright orangey red. Because opals contain water, they can be easily damaged if they dry out or are exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. In fact, dryness in an opal can cause it to crack and loose its phenomenal color. Properly mined opal is stabilized for ten or more years before it is cut so that it can acclimate to its new environment above ground. Opals are by nature soft stones, so while you often see them in rings, they are almost always cabochons, or rounded tops instead of faceted. That keeps edges from chipping or breaking. They are also usually set low in jewelry. As the month of October brings a world of new fall color around us, what a perfect stone to celebrate that fire!

by Elizabeth Simpson

Perfect Pearls for June Birthday Girls!

We've been slowly but surely stocking up on every kind of pearl lately. We are ready to share that we've got pearls for every girl in stock! Graduation Gifts, Quinceañera Gift, June Birthday - you name it, we've got the perfect string of pearls (and at perfect prices, too). Click here to shop our pearl jewelry! These glamorous but understated akoya pearl and diamond studs mark you as a woman to be reckoned with. Soft but unyielding, firm but caring, these earrings take any outfit to the next level. The 8.5mm pearls have incredible luster, beautifully reflecting the world and adding a glow to your countenance. This is a beautiful 925 sterling silver freshwater pearl necklace! These pearls are baroque and that adds great dimension to the necklace. They average at 8.97mm by 9.91mm. This necklace is 17.5" in length with a hook and snap closure. It weighs 44.6g. The pearls are well matched for color and are white with a very slight pinkish overtone. The luster is good and they have lovely surfaces. The sterling closure adds an additional touch of luxury and could even be worn around the front. This would make an awesome gift and is a mainstay in any woman's jewelry wardrobe. Keep a little sunshine close by! This adorable antique Victorian 14k gold sunburst pin is a bright addition to any look! This pin features ten seed pearls flanking the vibrant gold sunbursts, with a prong-set round brilliant cut ~0.10ct diamond in the center. The pearls are white with delicate pink overtones and good lustre. The pin is stamped '14k'. This is an EXQUISITE art nouveau vintage akoya pearl cocktail ring that sparkles with surrounding diamonds. The piece features a beautiful akoya pearl which measures 9mm wide and 10.7mm in height, that sits atop a leaf-like design with prong set diamonds in 14k white gold. The 0.36ct center diamond on the bottom is round brilliant cut, as well as one other in the design. The other diamonds are a mixture of old European cut and single cut. The ring has a slight bypass, and it weighs 6.0g. It is a size 6.5. This piece is remarkable, with the pearl showing undertones of pink and blue. The design is striking, and would be a fabulous addition to any collection. This hand-crafted freshwater pearl necklace was custom created for a discerning buyer with impeccable taste and high standards in jewelry. It measures 80 inches in length and is an infinity style necklace - it has no clasp. Strung on high-quality silk with double knots between each pearl, you can see the exceptional quality in the nacre and luster in every beautiful and unique gemstone. This abstract piece has a lovely, unique design that compliments many outfits. The ring features an akoya pearl as the centerpiece that is set in an acid tested 14k yellow gold band that has a slight bypass. The pearl is 6.15mm in diameter and is white with silver overtones. There are six small channel set accent diamonds that are graduated in size, that total 0.10ctw. Shop the rest of our extensive pearl collection by clicking HERE!

by Elizabeth Simpson

Rare Rubies: Just The Best For July Babies

Get red hot with your jewelry this summer and gift July babies something to talk about with rubies. You’ll put a very happy smile on any July baby’s face when you gift them their birthstone. One of the most highly prized gems, the ruby is nothing but the best when it comes to July babies. Why Is The Ruby Held In Such High Regard? For one, large rubies are harder to find than diamonds. Historically the ruby has always been seen as a crown gem. The gem of passion, they represent strength, integrity, courage, and confidence. Wearing a ruby has been often thought to bring luck, health and wisdom. In Sanskrit ruby means 'ratnaraj' and translates as “king of gemstones”, which is why they have long been considered a very valuable, if not the most valuable, of gemstones. In the Middle Ages, the ruby was often the wedding stone of choice and was predominantly the engagement stone of choice up and through the Renaissance era. The ruby was often thought to promote passion in the relationship keep love lasting long through the years of marriage. While it is traditionally the gem of choice for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversary the ruby is also said to bring loads of luck to those who wear one on their left hand. According to the International Gem Society, “ Fine quality rubies are some of the most expensive gems, with record prices over $100,000 per carat. Accurately grading rubies requires knowing a great deal about them, and there is a great deal to know about them. Synthetic ruby can be created by several different methods, including flame fusion, the Czochralski process, flux, and hydrothermal. Rubies are also subjected to more treatments than almost any other gem.” That’s why most rubies are often priced by color. The closer this gorgeous red gem is to vivid red or a purple red - the higher the price and value. Rubies are quite rare in a large size and a quality, cut 4 carat ruby will often go for more than a 4 carat diamond. Durable in nature, this gorgeous gem really sparkles when set in white gold or silver and makes one beautiful gift for a July baby. Ruby earrings and rings can often be found accented with diamonds and can be found in beautiful vintage settings. Rubies are best cleaned with a toothbrush and mild dish soap when you want to return their luster and shine.

by Elizabeth Simpson

September Babies, Don’t Get The Blues

Sapphires come in nearly all colors of the rainbow. In fact, many of the blue sapphires you see on the commercial market today may have started out a different color. A significant portion of rough sapphires have a green hue and turn blue when heated or otherwise treated. Some of the most prized sapphire colors are blue, pink, and Padparadscha (a bright orangey-pink). Yellow, orange and purple sapphires can be spectacular and there is a resurgence of interest in green sapphires. Did you know there are no red sapphires? That’s a trick question- rubies are in the same family, we just call them out separately. Each color has it’s own personality and intrigue. What should you look for when buying a sapphire? First, make sure you are looking at the “real” thing. Lab created sapphires have been available for over 125 years and aren’t always easy to distinguish from earth mined stones. They are also worth a lot less money. A gemologist can make this distinction. Second, make sure the sapphire is a single stone, not a doublet. Some manufacturers actually use a less expensive green sapphire base with a thin slice of the more expensive blue sapphire on top. This one is tricky, but if you hold the stone in front of light and look at its profile you can see the two different colors. Third, find out if it has been treated. There’s nothing wrong with treatment- the vast majority of stones are spiffed up in some way. Heat and diffusion treatments can enhance the color and clarity of a sapphire, leaving you with a more beautiful gem to gaze at. Sapphires that are beautiful and have not been treated are significantly more expensive and more rare.Still confused about these spectacular stones? Seek out a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist near you. He or she will be happy to help.

by Elizabeth Simpson

Summer Wedding Do's and Don'ts

Summer’s here, which means the wedding season is heating up. A good look can hinge on the perfect jewelry choices, so whether you’re celebrating your BFF’s nuptials or going as a plus-one to your college roommate’s cousin’s second wedding, make sure your jewelry shines. Use your ice to turn up the heat We all know how sticky PNW summers can get, and it may be tempting to forego traditional fabrics and cuts that you know you’ll swelter in. Dress up flowy, mercifully breathable cotton maxi-dresses and jumpsuits with some well-placed sparkle! Reduce, reuse, recycle If you have six weddings to attend in the next six weeks, crafting a new look for each one might be a chore. Use your jewelry to refresh a piece for the next event—dress up a daytime look with some dramatic dangle earrings, or keep things casual by pairing bright pendant with a classic LBD. Don’t be afraid to experiment It’s good to try new things! Just find your groove—if you feel too conservative for a statement ring, try a couple mini stackers instead! Consider customizing You wouldn’t want to show up in the same dress as another partygoer, so why settle for mass produced jewelry? Consider investing in a custom or one-of-a-kind vintage piece to complete your unique look. Shop your jewelry box Afraid your jewelry have gotten dull or lifeless? Revitalize your collection with a professional deep cleaning and bust out your faves! Don’t overdo it You want to make a splash, not cause a scene. Big pieces make a statement, but be sure your rings won’t upstage the bride’s!

by Elizabeth Simpson

What can you do with jewelry you don't like anymore?

Jewelry can go out of style. Sometimes you might lose a match to your favorite earrings and be left with just one. Sometimes you want to give a gift, but don’t want to break the bank doing it. There are several ways to repurpose jewelry and create a genuinely unique piece that you or a loved one can rock like a true gem lover. Meet Up With A Pro When you want to turn a few pieces into one, you should check out a local gemologist or jeweler. Working with a gemologist or jeweler to create genuinely unique pieces of jewelry can be a great experience. Just be honest. Tell them what you want and what you want to spend. They will help you stay in your price range and develop a piece you love or someone you love will equally love. Click here to make an appointment with me! So, what can you make? Pendants That Are Dreamy You can combine a diamond earring with a solid gem earring like a ruby or emerald to make a pendant. Use diamonds to create a halo effect around a gem to make it really stand out. Of course, that’s not the only thing you can do with gems. Something Old Into Something New Engagement rings are super special and if you have some of your Mom’s or Grandmother’s old jewelry - why not design an heirloom to say ‘I love you’. Check out different set rings and talk about how to turn your boring gems into something extravagant. Make A Statement Gems are a great way to make a statement. You can re-gift old pieces by turning a few into one bold brooch for Mom. Make your bestie a pair of earrings with something the two of you used to wear all of the time. Or just make yourself something new by using something you don’t love anymore to create something you adore.

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