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Jewelry Education and Advice

  • Triple the Beauty with a Triple Band Engagement Ring

    Why choose a triple band engagement ring?

    It’s unique. The ring below has three slim bands joined together as one, offering a bigger backdrop for the “star of the show” – the gem

    It’s comfortable. A triple band provides weight distribution on the finger for a comfortable, even fit.

    It’s symbolic. Three carries a lot of weight in the love department. It represents the past, present and future. When a couple engages, they are bringing with them elements of the past, combining them in the present and looking toward a future together.

  • How to Glam up your Outfit for the Holidays

    You’re probably in a pinch for time around the holidays (who isn’t, right?). This often means rushing from work to a fancy holiday party without a minute to spare.

    Luckily, there’s layering to the rescue! By wearing a basic black outfit, you have the foundation for a. your day job attire and b. your upscale, glam wear.

    This video offers quick tips to build out your outfit and give it that glitz so needed for the holidays.

  • Moissanite – an Up Close and Personal Look

    Everyday, we get questions about moissanite. And while we are happy to extol its virtues (like its hardness and sparkle), we find nothing quite does the trick like a visual display of its beauty.

    This video highlights an 8.5 mm untreated moissanite on a clear, sunny day.

    According to the woman behind the video:

    “There aren’t a lot of clear videos out there and I wanted to try to capture the beauty of this stone. As you can see, there is a lot of sparkle, and I don’t see any funny body colors in the stone itself. When placed face down beside a CZ, there is definitely a slight color difference. I don’t mind it myself, because I find a little more color helps the stone look less “fake.” I’m very happy with it and am glad that I chose it.”

    If you’re considering moissanite for your engagement and wedding ring, contact us and we’ll walk you through the benefits ourselves.

  • Green Gemstones – Which Shade is Best for Your Engagement Ring?

    Nothing shows you the difference in color and brilliance than a good old-fashioned side-by-side test. If you’re interested in a green gemstone for your engagement ring, see firsthand the difference between green sapphire and medium green moissanite (which is a paler shade of green than you may think).

    Both gems are distinctively and strikingly green and similar in hardness, but note the slight difference in hue…and of course, price. Moissanite continues to offer amazing shades, durability and a price that most can afford.

    [Remember: moissanite is not a diamond simulant or substitute but its own type of gem. Moissanite has a hardness ranging from 9.2 to 9.25 on the Mohs scale, which puts it closer to ruby and sapphire (at 9).  Diamond—at the top of scale—at 10.0.]

     

  • The Eternally Classic Wedding Band/Engagement Ring Choice

    When customers want an engagement ring/wedding band combo that stands the test of time, this diehard duo does the trick. Why? Because our ballerina engagement ring and a classic diamond eternity band have classic “forever” appeal.

    What is a ballerina style engagement ring?

    It’s actually a specific kind of cluster ring with a main center stone, surrounded by smaller stones. It’s called a ballerina setting” because the surrounding stones create a tutu-like effect, similar to the costumes worn by ballerinas.

    Why does the ballerina engagement ring have classic appeal?

    Because its already stood the test of time. This type of setting is seen in some of the older vintage and antique ring designs but yet again, it’s gaining popularity in today’s modern ring designs.

    The wedding band itself is circularly studded with gems, adding to the overall sparkle appeal.

    If you’re looking for a classic engagement and wedding ring choice, look no further. We’ll create an heirloom to last a lifetime and beyond.

     

  • 22 Karat Yellow Gold Wedding Bands – Still, a Durable Choice

    22K gold jewelry means that 22 part of the piece are gold and 2 parts are another metal. In other words, 91.67% is pure gold while the other 8.33% is composed of metals like silver, zinc, nickel and other alloys. These other metals make the gold harder and more durable for jewelry making.

    22K gold isn’t a “solid” choice for diamonds and heavily studded jewelry but are a smart choice for plain gold jewelry, like the wedding bands pictured above.

    Why not choose 24K gold if possible?

    It’s simply too soft for jewelry making needs. Even gold bullions aren’t pure gold. Yes, they contain their full stated weight in gold but have an additional weight in alloy to harden and protect them against wear.

  • A Quick History of the Heart Symbol

    Why is the heart the eternal symbol of love? Because, let’s face it: real hearts look nothing like the heart symbol. Also strange? Love doesn’t really come from the heart; circulation does. What makes us feel as if the powerful emotion of love emanates from our chest and not say, our brain?

    According to History.com:

    Scholars such as Pierre Vinken and Martin Kemp have argued that the symbol has its roots in the writings of Galen and the philosopher Aristotle, who described the human heart as having three chambers with a small dent in the middle. According to this theory, the heart shape may have been born when artists and scientists from the Middle Ages attempted to draw representations of ancient medical texts. In the 14th century, for example, the Italian physicist Guido da Vigevano made a series of anatomical drawings featuring a heart that closely resembles the one described by Aristotle.

    Since the human heart has long been associated with emotion and pleasure, the shape was eventually co-opted as a symbol of romance and medieval courtly love. It grew especially popular during the Renaissance, when it was used in religious art depicting the Sacred Heart of Christ and as one of the four suits in playing cards. By the 18th and 19th centuries, meanwhile, it had become a recurring motif in love notes and Valentine’s Day cards.

    So the heart symbol morphed into being, basically…over centuries. In our studio, it still remains as one of the most popular shape for a gem. If you’re looking for a custom design engagement ring to truly signify your love, contact us and we’ll having you wearing your heart on your sleeve (okay, your finger) in no time!

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  • Why Burnish your Engagement Ring?

    Why burnish your wedding or anniversary band? Well one of the main reasons is the subtle effect it creates, meaning it enhances and doesn’t overpower the “star of the show” (the engagement ring). It also tends to enhance the gems within the wedding or anniversary band, adding an extra sparkle to them.

    So what is the process of burnishing exactly?

    Burnishing is a finishing process that removes the coating on metal and polishes the exposed metal. A burnishing tool doesn’t really “cut” the metal per se but produces a smooth and shiny finish.

    Better yet, check out the video below for the full effect!

  • Diamonds – Same Grade, Different Clarity

    All diamonds are not created equal. But you knew that, right? Our longstanding belief is that the more informed our clients are, the happier they are with their final decision.

    This video highlights an important point: “not all diamonds which have the same grade of clarity are of the same quality when viewed under the microscope.” That means that simply because a diamond is given a grade of clarity, doesn’t mean they all look the same. There is a range within a certain grade that should be considered before committing to the purchase of the gem.

     

  • Welcome to Ruby Land

    Understanding the source of the gems you choose for your engagement ring is key to making a sound decision prior to your purchase. Why? Because there’s a bigger global context to the gem trade you may want to consider. This smart little video gives you a glimpse into the world of gem mining and the effects it has on the land and people surrounding it.

    “A brief look at the route gemstones take from mines to market in Burma (Myanmar), starting in the Mountains of Mogok and finishing at the Thai border. Hosted by Charles Lawson of Lawson Gems.”