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How to Identify Genuine Georgian Jewelry, part 1

How to Clean Antique Jewelry — The Important Do’s & Don’ts

Where to Sell Your Unwanted Jewelry

Ten Reasons — What Makes Customers Buy Jewelry from Specific Designers

Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Designer Jewelry

Designer Spotlight: Jane Diaz

Jane Diaz is a New York City-based designer with an ultra appealing set of collections within her jewelry designs.  Her four collections include: "basics," "charms," "heirloom" and "mid-century modern."  Each has some beautiful choices, mostly earrings and rings.  My favorite would have to be the Heirloom Collection--it is inspired by antique jewelry.  Her designs consist of 10k yellow gold or silver. Here are my favorites below: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="303" caption="Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & turquoise, Price: $550"][/caption] Charms collection, 10k yellow gold & slice of watermelon tourmaline, Price: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="321" caption=25 Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & labradorite, garnet ring, Price: "Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & labradorite, garnet ring, Price: $390"90 Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & pearl earrings, Price: "Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & pearl earrings, Price: $310"10 Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & turquoise ring, Price: "Heirloom collection, 10k yellow gold & turquoise ring, Price: $315"15 Read More

Obsessions

Jewelry News: September 2009

Some of the best jewelry news on the web this month--three stories: 1. Over at Firstwater News, an interesting trend alert is being reported. The third C of diamond grading, the clarity--no longer crucial if the diamond is clouded up or resembles an ice cube. Those diamonds that were once "ugly ducklings" now have a second chance. And these rings are proof that poor clarity can look really cool. Check out Firstwater News for the full story. 2. An amateur treasure hunter finds over 1500 pieces of Anglo-Saxon gold stashed underground near Straffordshire, England. Items include many helmet crests composed of gold, enamel, garnets, and others. One piece features a puzzling emblem of five snakes. Another has this written in Latin, "Rise up, O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee be driven from thy face." All so interesting to have happen to a man who just loves his metal detector. This find, which dates back to around 675-725 AD, is being compared to the unveiling of King Tut's tomb! Read more here and here. 3. An amazing Lucky Deal of the Day, coming from designer Bario-Neal. This cute little ring called the Knottedrush ring is 50% off! Just for today only--make sure to use code LUCKYDAILY3 at checkout in order to get a 10k yellow gold choice for $77 rather than regularly $154. Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Leaf Motif: Leave it to Autumn…

Photo taken by ming_chai The first day of Autumn has arrived and although the weather has been terrible here in Tennessee, this is usually a beautiful time of the year. The first thing I think of is fall leaves. Many hours were spent as a kid raking leaves and jumping into huge piles of them. Now, I just love the colors and the beauty. Leaves have been a motif within the realms of jewelry for quite some time. Famous Jewelry Houses like Tiffany & Co. have used it in many of their designs. It makes for some elegant jewelry pieces as well as having a symbolic side. They could represent a new chapter in life or an end of another. Take a look at these gorgeous examples of some jewelry that feature leaf motifs. The leaf motif is used as the main design element in this bracelet by Tiffany & Co. circa 1940. The leaves alternate between 14k yellow and 14k rose gold. This bracelet can be found at Ross-Simons in their estate jewelry section and priced at $2995. Secretly obsessed with this ring from the 1950s. It is done in 18k yellow gold with sapphires and diamonds. I like the detailing of the leaf, but more importantly the brilliance of the design. It's like a leaf wrapped around your finger! Found at 1stdibs by seller Neil Marrs, price: $3750 This is such an elegant piece--a leaf motif bracelet from the 1970s. Each link is perfected with texturized 18k yellow gold. The total carat weight is 3.5 in diamonds! Would look great worn any time of the year, really. Can be found at Ross-Simons, estate jewelry section, price: $9995. Here is the use of the leaf motif in a neat way, done in 14k yellow gold. The ring is a bypass style, featuring a gray and white cultured pearl. This elegant little ring is from Beladora2 and priced at $146.25! Read More

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Designer Jewelry

Ariel Gordon Jewelry Giveaway!!

Gem Gossip has teamed up with Ariel Gordon Jewelry to bring an amazing giveaway! Not only is Ariel Gordon gracious enough to do a giveaway, but from now until October 23, readers will receive a discount of 25% off any Ariel Gordon Jewelry purchase! Just enter code: GEMGOSSIP for your 25% off discount! Ok, so wanna hear the amazing giveaway prize? It is a gift certificate worth $100 at Ariel Gordon Jewelry! All you have to do to enter is go to Ariel's website, take a look at her pretty jewelry, pick a favorite (tougher than you think!), and leave a comment stating which piece is your favorite. That's it. The giveaway winner will be chosen and announced a week from today. Good Luck! Here are some pretty possibilities: 14k yellow gold Square Studs, price: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=98 14k yellow gold Rose Cut Iolite ring, price: 40 14k yellow gold Zodiac Charm Necklace, price: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=60 √√√Check out the Question & Answer interview with Ariel Gordon in our Designer Spotlight here. Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

The Sunday Paper

The weeks are passing by so quickly--everyday it gets darker a bit earlier, and a littler cooler than it was before.  Brooches are not a top pick for many jewelry collectors and they were never my favorite.  It was only until my first purchase of this Victorian brooch with enameling that I became an overnight fan. I like the immense versatility of brooches--you can seriously pin them anywhere you'd like.  So far I've used mine on button up shirts, to close a cardigan, pinned to a suede headband, and on purses (like above).  I've seen tiny Victorian bar pins that I think are so beautiful, I am on the hunt! Do any of you have bar pins?  Any bar pin collectors out there? My Pick of the Week: The Fulvia ring from Wendy Brandes' Jewelry Collection. This ring is done in 18k yellow gold with an exquisite 6.5 carat green tourmaline. Anyone who would wear this ring would put me under a spell--I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off of it! I love the architectural design of the ring, it goes so well with the tourmaline's cut and color. Price: $5000 My eBay Pick of the Week: I've had my eye on necklaces of this style: sort of like a bib but not that drastic. This one is from eBay seller: doverjewelry whom I've purchased from before, very reputable. The necklace is done in 14k rose gold with a single buttercup set diamond. Love the filigree work (sidenote: you can have a fun time typing in keyword: filigree into eBay). Only thing, I wish the necklace length were a bit longer. Wonder who the lucky high bidder will be?! Read More

Most Popular

How to Identify Genuine Georgian Jewelry, part 1

How to Identify Genuine Georgian Jewelry, part 1

Education & Advice
How to Clean Antique Jewelry — The Important Do’s & Don’ts

How to Clean Antique Jewelry — The Important Do’s & Don’ts

Education & Advice
Where to Sell Your Unwanted Jewelry

Where to Sell Your Unwanted Jewelry

Education & Advice

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

“I could spend my whole life Goodwill hunting…”

Ok, so I know this has nothing to do with jewelry but treasure hunting is my favorite thing to do.  And although I usually only look for jewelry when I "treasure hunt, " I spotted an amazing brass urn.  I am slightly obsessed with things that feature lion heads and this was brass--exactly what decorates my bedroom.  This item was found on my first ever trip to a local Goodwill.  As luck would have it, everything was half off!  Score!  A $3 find is always the best...take a look at this DIY. Most people probably would take one look at this and walk away because of the incredible tarnish it was covered in.  I saw it, loved it, and immediately declared it as my little project.  Here is how I cleaned it up: 1. Take an old wash cloth and cut it in half. One half will be used with the cleaning solution, the other will stay dry and act as a buffer. 2. Buy some brass polish at a local store--I bought mine from Bed Bath & Beyond. 3. Scrub the tarnished brass using the one half of the cloth dedicated to cleaning only, using dime-sized amounts at a time. Then buff using the dry cloth. Repeat this as many times until you see a shiny, bright surface underneath. Be patient! * I left a few spots, especially around the lion's face, with some tarnish remnants--it is somewhat impossible to get all the tarnish off 100%. I think it gives the decor some character anyway. Read More