A Pearl...

“A pearl is the gem produced by saltwater oysters (the non-edible variety) or by freshwater mollusks. In either case, a small foreign object (such as a tiny sea parasite from the ocean floor) finds its way into the shell and then into the tissue of the mollusk."

If the intruder gets stuck inside the oyster, and if the oyster is not able to get rid of the intruder on its own, the foreign body becomes an irritant. To take away the discomfort that this irritant can cause, the mollusk will then start to produce a blackish substance called conchiolin. Then over top of this another substance, called "nacre"; which is white in color  is secreted. This is what creates the lustrous pearly coating the pearl is known for.

The nacre is composed of microscopic crystals, each crystal is lined perfectly with the others. This allows light to pass along the axis of one, and is then reflected and refracted by the others to produce a rainbow like glow of light and color. The pearl is the outcome of  layer after layer of this nacre. The thicker the nacre, of course, the more beautiful the pearl is.

Did you know that Ruby is the Aries Zodiac Gemstone?

If you are one of the lucky ones born under the Zodiac sign of Aries, your Zodiac Gemstone is the Ruby.

Ruby also known as the “King of Gems,” is one of the world’s oldest and most revered gemstone. It is also one of the rarest.

The red color of a Ruby brings to mind romance and passion. The Ruby is the gemstone that brings the color red to life. Folklore says that the Ruby is also a protector of the wearer.

Rubies are also excellent for everyday wear, but please avoid heat and chemicals to keep your Rubies beautiful.

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Below you will find a picture of a charming pair of Amethyst and Genuine Diamond Dragonfly earrings, set in 14k White Gold.

Dragonflies are carefree, fast, and reflect light, making these beautiful Amethyst and Diamond Earring befitting in design.

Dragonflies seem to be popular these days…I see them everywhere I go, but I particularly like the designs set with gemstones. The dragonfly has a jewel like coloring, with the ability to reflect and refract light. Associated with magic, and they represent joy in Japan.

These pretty earrings come in Amethyst & Diamond, Peridot & Diamond, and Citrine & Diamond…each set in 14k White Gold.

Let me ask you this…

If you had a customer and they said to you, I am looking for a piece of jewelry, something special. Then they told you that they loved the color green, and they were born in the month of May.  What Gemstone Jewelry would you offer? Would it be Emerald?

Since Emerald is the Traditional Birthstone for the Month of May, it would seem to be the logical choice for a Jeweler to suggest this gem.  But what if the customer mentioned that they only had $500.00 to spend? Would you suggest another Gemstone, or would you continue to push the Emerald? Would you focus on the monetary aspect of the sale only, or would you focus on the color, and help your new potential customer find the perfect piece of Gemstone Jewelry within their budget?

If you focus on color first, and the gemstone second, you just might find the perfect Gemstone Jewelry that will fit within your customers price range. For example: Tsavorite Garnet may be a wonderful alternative for a customer that wants a bright green Gemstone, but just can’t afford a genuine fine Emerald. Tsavorite Garnet is a rich, brilliant, green Gemstone…perfect for someone who loves the color green.

When you make the effort to focus on color, you just might find the right Gemstone that also is within the budget of your customer’s desires. This extra effort will not only make your customer happy, it just may keep your customer and their business from walking out your door, or going to another website to shop!

So, the next time a customer comes into your store, or contacts you...think Color First, give them a selection, put their desires first, and make a customer that will want to come back for a lifetime!

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Carat Weight…

Diamonds are sold by the carat (ct) weight, not karat (kt) weight; which refers to the purity of Gold.

Prior to 1913, the carat weight was different depending on the country the stone came from, and usually weighed more than the carat weight of today. For example, the English carat was different in weight from the Indian carat, and the French carat was different from both. This becomes very important if you are considering the purchase of a very old piece of jewelry.

The word carat today, means the metric carat. Many Jewelers will refer to the Diamond carat weight as points. There are 100 points to a carat. If you are told that a Diamond stone weighs 50 points, then that would mean the Diamond is ½ carat.

Keep in mind that a carat is a unit of weight not size. It is important to understand that the carat represents weight, not size. Why?  Because a one-carat Diamond, is different in size then a one-carat Emerald, or a one-carat Ruby.

The reason…Emerald weighs less than a Diamond, and a Ruby weighs more than a Diamond. What this means is that a one-carat Emerald will appear to be larger than a one-carat Diamond, and the Ruby would look smaller than the Diamond that weighs the same.

So, it is important to know what to look for when you are shopping for jewelry… particularly if you are buying at flea markets, estate sales, auctions, etc.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!

Alexandrite, Emerald, Jade, Peridot, and Green Tourmaline are just a few of our Green Gemstones.

To honor St. Patrick’s Day, I thought we should talk about them…first, the color green is a calming color, and is associated with nature. Green is the color of abundance, and is associated with wealth. If you need balance in your hectic life, you might find the earthy colors of green for you. If you want to show your energetic side, perhaps the vivid shades of green will appeal to you more.

Either way, with all the spectacular gemstones available in the color green; you should be able to find the perfect color for you!

Did you know? 

• "Alexandrite was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, the stone was named after Czar Alexander II, in honor of his coming of age. 
• Emerald was once worshipped by the Incas and Aztecs of South America.
• Jade was prized by the Mayan, Olmec and Toltec cultures of South America.
• Peridot is treasured by the Hawaiian peoples who believed the gem to be the tears of the Goddess Pele.
• Green Tourmaline is said to have the power to attract friends, and shield its owner from danger."

There are so many great stories and information about gemstones.  Go online, get a book, and check out your favorite gemstone meaning and folklore.

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Bloodstone…

If you have a March Birthday, you have a few choices when it comes to selecting a Gemstone gift. Most people think of Aquamarine when they think of the Birthstone for March, but Bloodstone is also a March Birthstone.  For many men the masculine appeal of Bloodstone is a fine alternative to Aquamarine.

Bloodstone is Green Jasper with iron oxide, which gives the Gemstone the bright red spots that give the gem its name. Bloodstone is normally dark green with red to brownish spots, and has a hardness of 6.5 to 7, making it a fair choice for everyday wear.

To care for your Bloodstone Jewelry…avoid heat and chemicals, and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water.

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Red Gemstones...

It is said that the color red can stimulate your appetite, and that the color red can actually make your heart beat faster. I guess that is why the color red is thought of as the color that represents Love...whether in a Red Rose, or a Red Ruby...you know love is in the air!

Some of the Red Gemstones that you have to choose from are:

Ruby - the gemstone that certainly brings the color red to life

Mozambique Garnet - rich deep red, it was believed to have healing properties

Madeira Citrine - the name comes from the wines of Madeira, off the coast of Africa

If you would like to see a few designs with these stones, you can see them in our eBay store. Which red gemstone is your favorite?

Religious Family Jewelry...

This week we have many inspirational and heartfelt jewelry items on sale. Beautiful new cross pendants,  men's bands, cross rings, and chastity rings are available for the holiday in our eBay store.

If you have any questions, or special requests, please let us know.

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Creating Jewelry...

You can buy all kinds of jewelry. From the simple designs of a Solitaire setting, elegant and stunning designs as in the Diamond Journey Jewelry Collection, or complex creations made with beautiful colorful Gemstones.

So many different colors to choose from…complementing your skin tone, your clothing, and of course your personality.

Through the week we will provide information on Beautiful, Colorful, Gemstones. So you can express yourself, and design jewelry that is a reflection of who you are…

Today’s color is BLUE – I thought I would start with blue because it is beautiful out today, a warm, sunny, 72 degrees here in Pennsylvania.

Blue – represents loyalty, trust, and balance. To create a piece of jewelry from blue Gemstones you can use Aquamarine, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Diamonds, Lapis, Blue Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Teal Diffused Topaz, and Glacier Blue Diffused Topaz.

Mix and match these and other blue beauties for the perfect jewelry design!

Jewelry Settings and Design ...

There are so many wonderful Jewelry designs to select from, not to mention spectacular Gemstones in so many colors and shades, how do you choose?

Sapphires for instance come in many colors…like soft pastel pink, yellow, orange, white, and deep rich navy blue. When I think of Sapphires though, deep navy blue is what I think of, it is my favorite Sapphire.

Although the other Sapphire colors are very beautiful, I love how the dark blue Sapphires look with Diamonds! The contrast of the dark blue Sapphires against the sparkling white Diamonds is what catches my eye.

So, what moves you, what makes you say…I have to have this, it is perfect?  

Zodiac Gemstones…

Did you know that your Zodiac Gemstone might be different then you’re Traditional Birthstone Gemstone? Just in case you don’t like your Traditional Birthstone, maybe you will find that you love your Zodiac Gemstone…check it out.

I know I like mine better, I was born in August so my Birthstone is Peridot, but my Zodiac Gemstone is Emerald…how great is that!

Here is the list:

Aquarius – Jan 21 – Feb 19  / Gemstone: Sapphire

Pisces -  Feb 20 – March 20 / Gemstone: Amethyst

Aries – March 21 – April 20 / Gemstone: Ruby

Taurus – April 21 – May 20 / Gemstone: Golden Topaz

Gemini – May 21 – June 21 / Gemstone: Citrine

Cancer – June 22 – July 22 / Gemstone: Moonstone

Leo – July 23 – August 23 / Gemstone: Garnet

Virgo – August 24 – September 23 / Gemstone: Emerald

Libra – September 24 – October 23 / Gemstone: Peridot

Scorpio – October 24 – November 22 / Gemstone: Aquamarine

Sagittarius – November 23 – December 21 / Gemstone: Garnet

Capricorn – December 22 – January 20 / Gemstone: Green Tourmaline

Kathie

DiamondsandGifts.com blog

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Diamond Engagement Rings are normally what one selects when one decides to ask their true love to marry them…and of course Diamonds are the traditional gift for the 10^th and 16^th anniversary. Diamonds are brilliant, elegant, breathtaking, and I would venture to say we all would want one too!

However, what happens when you just can’t afford a fabulous diamond ring? What happens if you have to choose between a diamond ring, a down payment on your home, that once in a lifetime honeymoon, or wedding? What do you do, beg, borrow, steal, go into debt, or do you look at alternatives? 

I believe that as a company that offers engagement rings, and other fine quality jewelry, that we should offer our customer’s alternatives.

So, the question I pose…is Moissanite a Man’s best friend?  Why, let’s face it we would all love to have a beautiful high quality Genuine Diamond Ring, not a clarity enhanced diamond, or one with a lot of flaws, etc…

But as I mentioned above can everyone afford to purchase a Diamond of their dreams?  On top of that you have the wedding, the wedding bands, the photographer, the gowns, the flowers, your home, oh yes and the honeymoon too!  So, an alternative could be Moissanite or Moissanite and Diamonds together.

I have sold many Moissanite and Diamond engagement rings and I have to say they are absolutely beautiful.  If you are on a budget, or would just prefer an affordable alternative to a Diamond Engagement Ring, or any Diamond Jewelry, Moissanite is a viable alternative.

My favorite is the Round Moissanite and Diamonds together, the center large stone is Moissanite and the accent stones are Genuine Diamonds...just beautiful. However, Moissanite by itself or with Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies, or other Gemstones are beautiful too…

Here is some Moissanite Information:

Refractive Index (brilliance) = 2.65 – 2.69 – Moissanite is brilliant and sparkles

Dispersion (fire) = 0.104 – Moissanite has more fire than other popular gemstones

Hardness (on Mohs scale) – 9 ¼ - Moissanite is harder than ruby or sapphire, and second only in hardness to diamond. Moissanite is resistant to scratches and abrasions

In addition, each Charles & Colvard Moissanite Jewel comes with the Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity & Limited Lifetime Warranty.

If you have a chance, take a look at Moissanite or Moissanite and Diamonds together and see what you think.

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As I sit before my computer today, I glanced down and saw my Four Leaf Clover that I found so many years ago…and realized that next Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day!

I preserved my lucky find that day, thinking that just maybe it would give me the Luck of the Irish!  It is my understanding that St. Patrick used a 3-leaf clover to represent the Holy Trinity, and that is why shamrocks are considered lucky in Ireland.

What is your Lucky Charm? Is it a horseshoe facing upward, a four leaf clover, what brings you good luck?

I also should mention that some of the most symbolic Wedding Bands, are the Traditional Celtic Inspired Wedding Bands....the knotwork in the Celtic bands represent Eternal Life and Unending Love.

In addition to the Celtic knotwork symbol, the Claddagh is another symbolic design...it has three symbols:

The Heart (symbolizes Love)

The Hands (symbolizes Friendship)

The Crown (symbolizes Loyalty).

It is worn on the right hand, and if often handed down from mother to daughter in Ireland. You can see a few of these designs in my ebay store if you are interested in Celtic Inspired Jewelry.

Hoping you have a wonderfully lucky day!

It certainly is a beautiful day out today, the sky is as blue as this month’s birthstone. I love the color blue, from the deep blue of a Sapphire Jewel, to the light blue of Aquamarine.  

The color is very relaxing to me…so, I thought I would add a few beautiful pieces of Aquamarine Jewelry to my eBay store, designed with the March Birthday in mind.

If you are felling blue today, the beautiful Aquamarine jewelry will really brighten the day…

Check out our eBay store, and maybe even treat yourself or someone special today!

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I can never remember all the Traditional Gemstones for each month, so I bought a mouse pad that lists them all for me. Since I am always on my PC, it is really handy. Hopefully you will find the list as helpful as I do!

The TRADITIONAL Birthstones for each month of the year.

Traditional Genuine Birthstones

• January - Garnet
• February - Amethyst
• March - Aquamarine and Bloodstone
• April - Diamond
• May - Emerald
• June - Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite
• July - Ruby
• August - Peridot and Sardonyx
• September - Sapphire
• October - Opal and Pink Tourmaline
• November - Topaz and Citrine
• December - Turquoise, Blue Zircon, and Tanzanite

DiamondsandGifts.com Blog

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Aquamarine – One of the Traditional Genuine Birthstones for March

Here is a little bit of interesting folklore on the Aquamarine Gemstone, and also information on how to care for your gemstone.

One of the most popular of all Gemstones, Aquamarine can range in color from deep blue to lighter shades, similar to the color of the sky and water.

Aquamarine means ocean water, and tales of Aquamarine date back to ancient seafaring days. Sailors of old believed that these glittering, watery gems came from the treasure chests of mermaids. Perhaps it’s no wonder that Aquamarine is said to bring luck to all who sail the seas.

Gemstone Care:

To care for your Aquamarine Gemstone Jewels, avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect the gem from scratches and hard blows. You can clean your gemstone with a soft toothbrush and a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water.

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