Stories of Gems

Dive into the history of signet rings, and check out some modern examples.

Learn more about the history and beauty of halo rings.

t’s very possible you already have a cocktail ring in your jewelry box or collection. The ring is a little bit show-y, perhaps borderline ostentatious. They are sometimes called statement rings, or right hand rings.

Learn more about claddagh rings and their symbolism and history.

Today let's talk about one of the most influential jewelry design houses, Van Cleef and Arpels. A favorite of royalty and celebrities, they are known for their amazing craftsmanship. This fabulous French jewelry house was started with a marriage in 1896 between Alfred and Estelle. Both came from families in the jewelry industry. Alfred was the son of a stone cutter, and Estelle was the daughter of a gem dealer. These two loved jewelry and loved to travel. They had an eye for

What kind of jewelry inspires that hopeful feeling? And I thought of the beautiful, magical fairies that Van Cleef & Arpels made during Word War II. So if you don’t know about these lovely, sparkling creatures, read on! I’m happy to tell you all about them.

Faberge eggs are beautiful and exquisite objects. Combined with their ownership by an eccentric, out-of-touch royal family, they create a compelling and tragic story.

In this post, I’d like to focus on how jewelry can create beauty and hope in times of war. Like a previous post about the bird pins made by the Japanese during their internment, these bird pins are also from the World War II era. They also have real sentimental value. But our location has changed. Instead of America, we find ourselves in occupied France. With Cartier. Perhaps you think of watches when I say Cartier, but Cartier was all about jewelry. Founded in 1847, they w

Everything is green now that spring is officially here! And that has me thinking about flowers! I recently came across this designer I hadn’t heard of before, this guy who made these absolutely exquisite and lifelike orchid pins. So of course I had to find out more! It turns out they were made by a jewelry designer named Paulding Farnham, who worked for Tiffany from 1875 (at the age of 16) to 1908. Take a look at the pin below. Gorgeous, right? That’s just one example! Vinta

By now, you should all know how much I love brooches and pins. I have a great little collection of owls and other animal pins. But one day, a good friend showed me something like I had never seen before! In his hand was an exquisitely carved wooden bird pin. Now, some jewelry designers do incorporate wood into their pieces, but it’s pretty unusual. And to have a whole piece made entirely from wood, it’s quite rare. So I had lots of questions. And I learned a fascinating story

Fun facts about the jewelry worn when America was just a baby!

Let's celebrate the amazing female jewelry designer Suzanne Belperron!

Take a look at how Celtic Knots are showcased in jewelry design

Today I'd like to feature a very particular father and son who are jewelry designers. Fred and Michael Kabotie are Hopi silversmiths and...

I’ll be honest, I was slow to get on board with rose gold. I was convinced it was a fad, and so I stayed away from it, and tried to wait...

It's true! The best American jewelry is made by Italian designer Bulgari. Learn the history of their Stars & Stripes collection.

Besides my wedding ring, there’s another piece of jewelry I wear daily – earrings! In my opinion, they’re one of the most versatile kinds...

Today, watches and jewelry are often grouped together, sold together at department store counters and combined in lots at auctions. Beautiful timepieces and beautiful gemstones have a lot in common - attention to detail and superb craftsmanship. But it wasn't always that way. Watches have a unique history, their connection to wartime and how we came to wear them on our wrists. You may think wristwatches are a thing of the past, because now you have your phone. But don't forge

I bet you didn’t know that today is Appreciate a Dragon Day! Yes, indeed, every January 16th has been decreed (by who, I wonder?) to...

Pink is everywhere in October. It's Cancer Awareness month, with advocates asking everyone to wear pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. For those of us who know someone who has suffered with the disease, it’s a time to reflect on what we can do to help and support our friends and family. But it also got me thinking about the color pink. How did it come to be a “feminine” color, and then make the leap to a pink ribbon for breast cancer? It turns out that pink having any