Back in July, I discussed the distinction between rubies and pink sapphires, but the corundum conundrum does not end there. Another variety of sapphire exists, which is even more ill-defined. The padparadscha (that’s pronounced PAHD-puh-RAHD-shuh) is a variety of sapphire that has no official technical definition. “Padparadscha” is simply a trade name for sapphires of…
In the public eye, peridot has developed a bad rap as a commercial-grade gemstone you only find in cheap birthstone jewelry. Brownish yellows, watery, desaturated greens, or briny olive greens are what many people picture when they think of peridot. If you feel that way about peridot, I’d like help you perhaps reassess your opinion,…
Carnelian is the trade name for chalcedony with warm primary colors. While carnelian is traditionally a solid shade of red or orange, “carnelian” has become an encompassing term in the trade that can include sardonyx, which is banded red, orange, yellow, and white chalcedony, and sard: a loose term from Antiquity usually denoting a darker,…
Pearls are a staple in the accessory wardrobe of most women. If they’re not, I think they should be. But I’m a jeweler, so I’m biased. But given that many women own at least one piece of pearl jewelry, and because I am a jeweler and pearls are one of my favorites, please allow me…
I’m a colored stone guy. I love colored stones. I love selling colored stones. I love helping people foster a greater appreciation for colored stones. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not all colored gems are created equal, and it’s important for a client to know their options when designing a piece…
If I asked you picture a diamond in your mind, what do you think of? Most people think of a transparent, colorless, sparkling gemstone set in an engagement ring. But what if I asked you what your favorite color was? Then what if I told you it was a legitimate possibility to find a diamond…
When many people think of gemstones, they think of a transparent faceted jewel sparkling in a ring; often a diamond or some other gem of their favorite color, perhaps a ruby or an emerald. Some people may think of pearls, or gems that are typically cut en cabochon like jade or opals. But there is…
I’m not usually a mainstream kind of guy, but fashion critiques of the Golden Globes and Grammys are everywhere online and in print. With the Academy Awards coming up on March 2nd, they’re not going away any time soon, so I thought I’d offer my two cents. So let’s talk fashion for a bit. Let’s…
I’m big on making sure people are not only smart jewelry buyers; I like to make sure people are smart jewelry owners. With tanzanite, I’ve found this is especially important. There are a couple of points about tanzanite I think every person who owns, or is thinking of purchasing, a tanzanite should know. Tanzanite is…
Gem stones are amazing things. The science and nature-loving geek in me loves to study each gem before I ever consider how it might look housed in a ring or a necklace. Particularly fascinating to me are the gems that change from one color to another depending on the type of light, from red to…