The intense blue hues of turquoise have brought it many admirers over the years, but it has also brought together a variety of cultures and had a huge effect on trade and culture links of many countries around the world. Here we take a deeper look at this fascinating gemstone. The popular stone was first introduced into Western Europe by Persian merchants, who had brought it with them from Tur...

Like most elements of fashion, jewelry trends have a habit of changing at a rapid rate - what’s en vogue one minute can easily be ‘old hat’ the next. The upshot of this, however, is that you do not feel you have to sell off all of your currently ‘out of fashion’ pieces, as a style that has gone out of fashion will likely be back round again some in the near future. An...

When looking at a jewelry website or speaking to a jeweler it is common to see or hear terms such as ‘retro’, ‘antique’ and ‘classic’ used when describing items. To the beginner this can be confusing, and questions arise such as ‘What do these terms actually mean?’ and ‘Do these terms all mean the same thing?’ Here we provide a basic guid...

The terms ‘precious’ and ’semi precious’ are widely used when it comes to gemstones, but what stones really are precious? And what do these terms actually mean?   Traditionally the three precious colored gemstones are rubies, emeralds and sapphires. These stones are always in demand, and have had high levels of popularity for many years due to their vibrant colors and rari...

Platinum is a precious metal that is used in a wide range of products, especially items of jewelry such as chains, earrings, bracelets, pendants and rings. Here we take a closer look at the most precious metal of them all. Historical Use It is believed that platinum was first used by the South American Indians, just before the turn of the 15th century. They developed a technique that involved sint...

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994) was the wife of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. Although known initially as the First Lady, Jacqueline soon gained fame of her own for her style and elegance, becoming a fashion icon for the women of the USA. Much of this can be attributed to her jewelry collection, with Jacqueline renowned for often wearing oversized necklaces and b...

There are few people in the world who can claim to have a jewelry collection the size and value of Queen Elizabeth II. The Crown Jewels are often seen as Elizabeth’s most prized possessions, but are in fact generally regarded as part of the Royal Collection, and are not technically the property of the Queen herself. Elizabeth II does, however, possess a substantial jewelry collection of her ...

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, better known simply as Elizabeth (or Liz) Taylor, is one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood, and also one of the most famous jewelry lovers in the world, having amassed a large and luxurious collection over the past few decades. As well as being famous for her acting and her eight marriages, Elizabeth is perhaps best known for her jewelry, with arguably her m...

Gemstones can last for many generations, and, when cared for in the right way, can continue to sparkle as if they were brand new. Here we provide a basic guide to gem care. Keep Your Gems Clean Keeping your gems and items of jewelry clean is vital. Rings, in particular, can get dusty and dirty when worn a lot. The best way to clean transparent gemstones is to soak them in water, then use a soft br...

Mattel’s world-famous Barbie doll has held a fascination for young girls for over 50 years, with more than a billion sales since her introduction in 1959. But Brooklyn-based designer Margaux Lange has been bringing Barbie to an older generation over the last few years, with her ‘Plastic Body Series’ Barbie jewelry. Margaux is a 29 year-old Brooklyn woman who has always been a Bar...

A medical alert bracelet may not seem like the most exciting and fashionable piece of jewelry… but it can be. Medical alert bracelets - which communicate vital medical information in the event of an emergency, have traditionally been more functional than fun. But in recent times a number of companies have cottoned-on to the desire to jazz up the clinical look, and beaded medical bracelets ha...

In the last article we provided a brief introduction to silver jewelry, and also briefly touched upon how to clean your silver items. Here we will take this a step further, and have a more in-depth look at how to care for your silver jewelry. Items of silver jewelry are often be some of our most prized possessions, particularly when it comes to wedding and engagement rings. As a result, knowing ho...