Journal

Antique & Vintage Jewelry
Auctions
Books
Celebrity Jewelry
Designer Jewelry
Education & Advice
Engagement/Wedding Rings
Jewelry Collection Stories
Jewelry Road Trip series
Jewelry Shows
Jewels at my Doorstep
Museum Exhibits
My Jewel Box
Obsessions
One to Follow
Q & A Interviews
SHOW ME YOUR RINGS
Uncategorized
Weekday Wardrobe

Menu

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

Top Jewelry Blogs picked by Gem Gossip

Endless talk of all things sparkly.

My Jewel Box

My Jewel Box: A Heap of Hearts

Hearts are an incredibly popular motif in jewelry, mainly because hearts symbolize love. And I do love hearts! My family knows that well, seeing as the only kind of Christmas ornaments I own are all hearts!  (And I get made fun of for having a Valentine's Day Christmas tree).  I wouldn't say it is my favorite jewelry motif, but for some reason I have amassed a nice little collection. They are seen here resting on a mother-of-pearl seashell dish purchased at a boutique in Laguna Beach. Most of my heart charms are either 18k or 14k yellow gold. A few are from Italy given to me by my grandparents on their frequent trips. The puffed heart that has been dented pretty badly was worn for months straight, dangling from a bracelet. I think the dent gives it character, I like it even more than "pre-dent" heart. Love the heart-key charm, I like to wear it on a gold chain with the heart furthest to the left. Read More

Obsessions

Jewelry Inspiration Board

{inspiration is everywhere; here in order, to name a few: stacked bracelets riding with the top down, that shield cut is killer via JessicaMcCormack blog, images of royalty provide endless jewelry inspiration, collection of antique rings via ErieBasin, the lovely Empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, unset diamonds are fun to play with via Jessica McCormack blog, crests & emblems are obsessions} Read More

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

Shop My Picks

ShopGemGossip.com

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

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

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