There's something captivating about a jewelry piece that carries a rich history and tells a story of its own. Whether you've inherited a family heirloom or stumbled upon a vintage gem, discovering the age of a jewelry piece adds an extra layer of fascination. In this blog post, we'll guide you through some key elements and techniques to help you identify the age of a jewelry piece and unlock its hidden chronicle.

Step into the enchanting world of plique-à-jour jewelry, where the brilliance of stained glass meets the elegance of fine jewelry. This captivating technique, originating in the late 19th century, brings forth a mesmerizing play of light and color. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricate craftsmanship, unique characteristics, and timeless allure of plique-à-jour jewelry.

Jewelry from the 18th century through today.

Art Nouveau jewelry, born from a desire to break free from traditional norms, introduced a fresh and captivating design aesthetic to the world. Drawing inspiration from nature's enchanting beauty, this remarkable jewelry style employed distinct design elements that set it apart from its predecessors. In this blog post, we delve into the intricate and mesmerizing design elements that define Art Nouveau jewelry, unveiling the secrets behind its enduring allure.

When it comes to purchasing a diamond, the 4Cs—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight—are widely regarded as the industry standard for evaluating a diamond's quality and value. While these grading factors provide a helpful framework, it's essential to understand their limitations and consider additional aspects that contribute to a diamond's overall beauty and appeal. Let's take a closer look at a few important considerations when inspecting certifications and selecting the perfect diamond.

Choosing a ring is an exciting and meaningful experience, but ensuring it fits perfectly is essential. Whether you're purchasing a ring for yourself or as a gift for someone special, knowing the correct ring size is crucial for comfort and aesthetics. While determining your ring size may seem daunting, we're here to guide you through the process, providing you with simple and effective methods to find the perfect fit.

There are many factors that go into the decision to buy a diamond. The 4Cs - cut, color, clarity and carat weight - are used to define the differences between stones and will all play into the cost and appearance of a diamond during the selection process. However, the age of the stone can also be an important element to take into consideration.

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth under the extreme heat and pressure.  Due to this process of creation, diamonds will carry a unique chemical structure based on the minerals present.  Often, the minerals present during the formation process impacts the presence of color in the rough diamond material.  Determining a diamond’s color grade is objectively grading the absence of naturally occurring color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond will be completely colorless, like a pure, unadulterated drop of water.  The purity of material is rare, which is why diamonds with high color grades are tremendously valued.

If a rose by any other name will smell as sweet, what about a diamond?  What’s in the name?  There have been many stages in the history of diamond cutting practices - techniques and new technologies have been developed to enhance the hardest material on Earth to dazzling proportions.  Understanding what is in the name and characteristics behind the look will help to identify the time period in which a diamond was cut which can often help to date a piece of antique jewelry.

Natural, Earth-mined diamonds and diamonds that are created in a laboratory setting are chemically indistinguishable, only different in origin. Both of these are durable and beautiful, with the same sparkling light performance as each other. Where they differ is in their formation process.

Defining the 4 C's of diamond quality.

Natural diamonds are formed under the extreme heat and pressure from deep within the earth.  Due to this process of creation, diamonds will carry a unique set of birthmarks or freckles known in the jewelry industry as inclusions and blemishes.  Determining a diamond’s clarity is objectively grading the absence of these naturally occurring birthmarks.