We passed the test (well we better had, right?) But most importantly, we want our customers to know the maximum amount possible when it comes to diamond knowledge. Why? Because it assures a smarter purchase. The more you know, the happier you are with the end result.

What is a 60/60 type diamond? 

What should the diameter of a well-cut 1ct round diamond be?

What is a Golconda diamond?

What does it mean if a diamond is referred to as a reflector? 

What are the potential negative effects of strong/very strong fluorescence?

What is the ideal crown angle in a modern round brilliant diamond?

What is optical symmetry? 

Take the test now !

Gold and black jewelry have a long and winning color combination history. And its easy to see why. Nothing sets off the richness and warmth of gold’s yellow hues like a dark-as-night black. The two colors just naturally (and dramatically) enhance the best in each other.

Need a little proof? Look no further than Amanda’s Style File (in National Jewelers) where she provides stunning examples. (We just love the dog tag, which would work just as well for the female persuasion we think!)

Todd Reed men’s collection dog tag in 22-karat yellow gold, 18-karat yellow gold, silver with patina, black brilliant-cut diamonds and a raw diamond cube ($4,620)

Oxidized sterling silver and 18-karat yellow gold Dangling Open Pebbles earrings by Rona Fisher ($695)

Limited edition 14-karat yellow gold black druzy stick and black druzy free-form five-drop earrings by Melissa Joy Manning ($2,100)

Lashbrook zirconium band with 14-karat yellow gold inlay detailed with a Versailles pattern and eight black diamonds spaced evenly around the band ($1,700)

We proudly carry Lashbrook so please check out our full line here.

The most beautiful necklace in the world doesn’t mean anything unless its paired with the right neckline. We could detail you “the rules” but nothing is better than seeing the visuals, right? This sweet little video by Kate Caviar gives you the basics in just over 2 minutes!

A highly elaborate diamond and ruby necklace shown by Nirav Modi at the 2016 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires.

Indian jewelry continues its global focus with amazing jewelers hailing from the country and creating stunning pieces like the one shown above.

Not only did the creator (Nirav Modi, a third-generation diamantaire) produce this stunning piece but he is the proprietary owner of several diamond cuts. That’s impressive!

According to Forbes:

Since opening his first store in India in 2014, Modi has become known for extravagant diamond jewels and four innovative proprietary diamond cuts: Jasmine, Endless, Ainra, and Mughal, all of which are evident in both his high-jewelry and standard collections.

It’s great Modi is getting the global attention he deserves for such fine and groundbreaking work!

The “necklaces” are tiny: beads of animal teeth, shells, and ivory no more than a centimeter long.

Isn’t it an amazing feeling to know that jewelry has been worn throughout the history of humankind? Just like us, they felt compelled to adorn (though jewelry was also likely to be worn to protect and ward off evil).

While there has been much debate regarding the authenticity of these jewelry fragments, proof is now positive: Neanderthals did create jewelry.

Now, a study uses a new method that relies on ancient proteins to identify and directly date Neandertal bone fragments from Grotte du Renne and finds that the connection between the archaic humans and the artifacts is real. Ross Macphee, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, who has worked with ancient proteins in other studies, calls it “a landmark study” in the burgeoning field of paleoproteomics. And others say it shores up the picture of Neandertals as smart, symbolic humans. [Source: Science Magazine]

If you’re looking for jewelry from the Neanderthal period, we’d love to custom design it for you…but it’s a little too late!

Take heed! Most of us are deeply ingrained with old wives tales when it comes to the healing of freshly pierced ears…and guess what?

We’re wrong.

That’s right. The whole hydrogen peroxide and/or rubbing alcohol combo? Not the way to go. And who would know better professional Berkeley-based body piercer Kerry?