Happy Stories From our customers
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Local Jeweler receives Scholarship
We’re always happy to share great local news when it’s sent our way!
The MJSA Education Foundation recently awarded scholarships to four hard-working students who are pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as gemology diplomas–all to prepare them for a future life in jewelry making and design.
Katie Poterala of Tempe, Arizona, who won $1,800 to help her work toward an MFA in Fine Metals at Arizona State University within the next two years. (Her necklace is pictured at right.) Poterala also received a Foundation scholarship in 2008.
Congratulations, Katie…and great work!
Source: MJSA Up to Date
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Macy’s Yellow Halo Ring
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The Blue in There Somewhere Ring
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Mary’s Halo Ring
Beth,
OMG, I absolutely love it!!!!!!! . . . . it’s perfect! Correction — it’s more than perfect!!!. . . . .
Also, please send along my gratitude and happiness to Joe!!! You guys are awesome!
Hugs,
Mary
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Cindy Chao’s Royal Butterfly inducted by National Museum of Natural History
An interesting story about the amazing Cindy Chao (Taiwan) and the induction of her stunning butterfly pin inducted into the National Museum of Natural History:
Amongst the Earth’s rarest and most beautiful creations are precious stones, in which beauty not only remains undiminished with time but accumulates history. Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History features the most significant and famous pieces of gems and minerals in the world; the esteemed collection includes the deep blue Hope Diamond, Napoleon Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette’s Earrings, Inquisition Necklace.
The melding of creation – first the natural process that occurred more than a billion years ago that formulated these stones which are then taken and crafted by artisans into a new creation – thickens the layer of history and lore into the precious stones as they pass through human hands.
Cindy Chao’s 2009 Royal Butterfly Brooch perfectly exemplifies this melding of creation, her detailed masterpiece entailing over 2 years time. Heralding a unique usage of rough diamonds, her work representing a breakthrough in the art of jewelry craftsmanship. The annual creation of an iconic butterfly symbolizes the ongoing metamorphosis in the advancement of Cindy Chao’s craftsmanship and techniques in utilizing rare gemstones.
The vibrant “Royal Butterfly,” is balanced by a pair of rough diamonds on the scales; features more than 20 color gradients, precisely 2,318 diamonds, colored diamonds, color-changing sapphires, colored sapphires, rubies, and tsavorites, meticulously set on both the front and back.
In 2010 this classic piece was inducted by the National Museum of Natural History, the world’s largest educational and research museum complex serving as the global beacon for the diffusion of public knowledge. This contemporary art jewel was created not only of the hopes of the artist that this art can be appreciated in a new medium, but will also inspires people to dream and create, always continue to contribute to the evolution of culture and the world around them.
Source: BusinessWire
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Jewelry Maitenance – Do’s and Don’ts
Buying your jewelry is only half the battle. Maintaining it so it looks great for years takes a little know how. Here’s what one expert has to say:
1 Don’t wash your jewelry with toothpaste.
In the field of jewelry there’s a belief that washing the jewelry with toothpaste can make it glossy. Actually, it’s harmful to do so. Toothpaste contains superfine grinding material whose hardness is up to 6~7 degree, almost as high as crystal. Using toothpaste will destroy the surface of jewelries whose hardness is lower than that of crystal, especially pearl, gold. The best solution should be diluted neutral surfactants (such as salad, baby shampoo).
2 Don’t touch frequently.
If you touch it hourly, it will affect the glossiness and brightness of jewelry. The human body continues discharge sweat and oil. The oil on the fingers will leave on the jewelry’s surface that it will reduce its glossiness and brightness, especially the diamond, which belongs to pro oily gems, whose surface gets oil easily.
3 Don’t wash jewelry with tap water
Tap water has fixed content of chlorine (C1), which damages the surface of the pearl and weaken its luster. The proper way should be washing it with distilled water.
4 Let your jewelry rest.
Change your jewelry according to situations. And at least put it away while washing your hands! Some soaps contain different degree of alkaline substances which damages jewelry potentially.
5 Be careful using a ultrasonic cleaner
The ultrasonic cleaner has good effects on cleaning gold, especially cleaning gaps. However, the ultrasonic cleaner is not adaptive to all kinds of jewelries. For example, emerald and pearl – their structures would be destroyed when cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner.
6 Examine your jewelry periodically
Remember to examine your precious jewelry carefully every once in a while. It is very important to check out whether your diamond is fixed tightly or not. If it becomes flexible, take it to a professional jewelry service.
Monica is a freelance writer who has written thousands of articles on various niches. She likes to share her knowledge with her readers and provide them with the best information on various topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Mo
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Fall Fashion 2010 – Urban Warrior to Conservative Glamour
Fall is upon us. We are officially post Labor Day. (No more white shoes, for the more traditional reader!) Here’s a little sampling from Fashion Week, showing us looks that you’ll be seeing more of this season.
First, the urban warrior look, combining chic with a slight edge. And second, a return to old school glamour, with clean lines and rich fabric.
Urban Warrior:
Conservative Glamour:
When it comes to conservative glamour, we think our Sweetheart Pendant necklace is the perfect accompaniment:
Style 10119-4.5mm (1/3ct)
Classic Sweetheart Pave Necklace
Classic Sweetheart pave necklace with 1/5ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain. Fits a 4.5mm (1/3ct diamond) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone).
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Moissanite versus Cubic Zirconia
Moissanite is often unfairly compared with cubic zironia. While cubic zirconia still remains the most popular diamond simulant, moissanite, a relative “newbie” to the market, is gaining ground quickly.
Cubic zirconia is a colorless, lab grown diamond simulan while moissanite is more durable and provides more brilliance.
According to The Moissanite Buyers Guide:
Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite jewels are doubly refractive. This means that light is bent twice as it passes through the moissanite jewel. This double refraction is directly responsible for moissanite’s superior brilliance. You can see this with a 10x loupe. Viewing through the crown or pavilion facets is recommended. Do not look directly through the table of a moissanite stone; the double refraction is less apparent as seen from this angle.
Comparison Chart: Beauty, Durability, Specific Gravity
BEAUTY DURABILITY SPECIFIC GRAVITY BRILLIANCE
Refractive IndexFIRE
DispersionLUSTER HARDNESS
MohsTOUGHNESS Moissanite 2.65-2.69 0.104 20.4% 9.25 excellent 3.21 (CZ) Cubic Zirconia 2.15 0.060 13.6% 8.50 good 5.80 So if you’re searching for that perfect engagement ring that’s both eco-friendly and still maintains the qualities of a natural diamond, it might be time to give moissanite a try. Because its priced so much better than a mined diamond, you just opened up the possiblities to all sorts of amazing rings, like the one below:
Style 9501M
Tension Set Engagement Ring With Side Diamonds
Tension set ring with .70ct t.w. natural side diamonds (setting only, does not include center stone)
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Steve’s Halo Necklace
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