Archive for October, 2011

Citrine is the official birthstone for the month of November and was adopted as such in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers. It is also the accepted gem to represent 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries. If you were born in November or have an anniversary coming up, you may want to invest in a piece of fine jewelry that features this delightful stone.

Citrine is a variety of quartz which comes in a range of colors, such as yellow, orange and reddish brown. Natural citrine is pale yellow to pale orange, but according to Bernardine.com, most citrine on the market today is actually heat-treated amethyst. That's why you can find darker colors with a reddish tint these days.

Citrine was thought to be valuable for the treatment of depression, as it was believed to lessen self-destructive tendencies. It was also said to stimulate memory, aid in digestion and eliminate toxins from the body. Some people also believe that citrine is a powerful talisman for protection which calms and soothes the wearer.

Whether or not you believe in citrine's mystical powers, it never hurts to invest in a gorgeous vintage cocktail ring or a pair of estate earrings that feature the gem!

Next time you're looking to buy a diamond engagement ring or any other piece of fine jewelry, you may want to consider searching for the perfect bauble online. There are many reasons why buying from an online retailer can benefit you, such as:

1. News about trends and designs. Many online companies give their customers plenty of information about the jewelry industry, so you can make informed decisions about what pieces you want by comparison shopping.

2. Advice about your purchase. Without being in-your-face, online jewelry retailers often give you plenty of advice about what types of styles would fit your lifestyle and what you should look for in an item. This can save you precious time and money.

3. Huge selection. With online retailers, you don't have to be limited to what's on display. There are many more options available to you, which means you'll have an easier time finding something you like.

4. Customization options. Some retailers even give you the option of customizing your ring, so you can get exactly what fits your style and budget and make it personal to boot.

5. Convenient shipping and returns. Many online jewelry companies offer you free shipping and easy returns, so you don't have to worry about anything!

Bella Swan's fictional engagement ring, which will be shown in the Breaking Dawn movie, was apparently a vintage ring from somewhere far back along Edward's family history, according to the Twilight book series.

It's looks more like a vintage cocktail ring rather than an engagement ring, but that hasn't stopped fans from buying replicas to make them feel like the dreamy vampire is actually their man. Hot Topic is selling a cheap version of the ring and wedding band, so if you or anyone you know happens to be dressing up as Bella for Halloween, you might want to stock up to make the costume authentic.

If you're more into fine jewelry and like the idea of a vintage diamond ring, there are plenty of options available. Whether you're looking for a cocktail ring or an engagement ring, colorful stones and unexpected designs are in fashion. If you're looking to break out of the traditional fine jewelry standards, a colorful ring will make a unique statement.

Hundreds of fine jewelry creations by some of today's top designers were featured in the 2012 American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum Awards, which is an annual colored gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry design competition.

According to Forbes, the awards honor and promote the designs of jewelers who create their works using natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls. The "Best in Show Winner," Todd Reed, won with a gorgeous locket made of palladium and 22k gold. It featured moonstones, gray diamonds, blue sapphires and white diamonds. It opens to show off a Buddha figure made of Moldavite.

The contest was launched in 1984 and was created by AGTA to promote the stability, beauty and integrity of natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls.

If you're looking to add a new piece to your fine jewelry collection, consider an antique pendant, a pair of estate jewelry or a vintage cocktail ring that features a colored gem or a cultured pearl. They're sure to jazz up any outfit and make you feel glamorous.

Bio-Diamond's is the United Kingdom's leading manufacturer of genetic jewelry. They create laboratory diamonds made with carbon that's extracted from human hair or cremated ashes for a truly personal fine jewelry experience.

It may sound like something from science fiction, but the company is actually extracting carbon from clients' hair and ash samples. It's then combined with generic carbon and a diamond seed before being subjected to high temperatures and high pressures. A rough diamond is formed, which is then shaped, cut and polished by an in-house diamond cutter.

The company offers certified laboratory diamonds that come in colors like cognac, yellow-green, black, blue, red and clear. Customers can choose to purchase a solitary gem or have it set in a design from the company's exclusive collection. People are buying these diamonds to commemorate important events like births, deaths and marriages.

If you think the idea of wearing a piece of diamond jewelry that has a loved one's biological elements included in it is a little creepy, you may feel more comfortable with a piece of vintage jewelry, like a cocktail ring or a pair of estate earrings, which are a bit more natural!

If you have a fascination with fine jewelry and sparkly diamonds and simply can't get enough of the gorgeous gem, you may want to check out the Cullinan Diamond, which is the largest ever found.

The Cullinan Diamond was found in 1905 by Captain Frederick Wells in the Premier Mine of South Africa. He was making his daily inspection when he spotted a crystal in the wall. At first, he thought the miners were playing a joke on him and had put a large chunk of glass there for him to find. However, after he pried it out with a pocketknife, he was astonished to discover that it was actually a 1.5 pound gem quality diamond!

The perfectly clear, colorless diamond was 3,106 carats – twice the size of the largest diamond ever found previously. Evidence suggests the stone was even larger, and was cut naturally.

The diamond was eventually cut into nine different pieces, all of which have been transformed into stunning gems. Three of the stones, including the pear-shaped Star Of Africa, reside in England as part of the crown jewels.

Although you may not be able to get your hands on the Cullinan Diamonds, there's no reason why you can't invest in an antique diamond engagement ring or a pair of diamond estate earrings to add to your collection!