Diamonds are Forever

A Brief History of Diamonds

With April on it's way we are ready to sparkle for all of our April birthdays! How many of you are lucky enough to have diamond as your birthstone? Take a peek at a bit of history as to why April's birthstone is among the most sought after stone.

"The path by which diamonds became perceived as an investment is traced in a magazine article that notes the Greek origin of the stone's name -- "adamo," meaning "overcome." Diamonds first srarted appearing as ornamentation in the Middle Ages, despite efforts by French King Louis IX to restrict ownership to royalty. The discovery of large diamond deposits in South Africa in the 1870s gave diamonds mass-market accessibility. The spike in commodity prices over the past decade has investors looking more and more at gemstones, especially diamonds, especially pink ones."

via InStore Magazine

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

The Claddagh Ring

Love, loyalty and friendship are all symbolized in the Claddagh ring. It's quite the appropriate ring for the month (since it's Irish!) and for anyone. The symbols represented in the ring each stand for something found in both love and friendship relationships.

The Crown that sits atop the ring design stands for loyalty.

The Heart which is held by hands stands for love.

The Hands which support the heart in the setting stand for friendship.

These key traits are found in most all of the special relationships you have in life; whether it be with a friend, family, loved one, fiance, wife.

With these rings often times being passed from generation to generation it's special to have them custom designed. We suggest including a birthstone in the setting, an emerald would be particularly beautiful!

Yellow Diamonds

Engagement Rings: What's New

Ring designed by Marty Mease, Measetique Jewels
Yellow diamond, surrounded by white diamonds on a yellow gold band

As a jeweler it's always exciting to see the newest trends in wedding jewelry. This year L.A.'s wedding experts reported the top styles they are seeing and it sounds like a breath of fresh air for the Midwest! The vintage inspired looks are on their way out the door and being replaced with timeless solitaires and yellow golds. One LA jeweler, Nelson Holdo, remarked, "Also, for the first time in I don't know how long, we've seen yellow gold. For the longest time platinum was the thing. Yellow diamonds are the most accessible colored diamond, so they are gaining popularity too." With the rise in colored diamonds in engagement rings we will also see a rise in gemstones used in engagement rings. Be sure to work with a gemologist (Marty is a great one!) if you decide on the colored gemstone route. Not all gemstones are as solid and 'tough' as diamonds for withstanding everyday wear.

Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Box

Diamonds and Emeralds!

Was Julianne Moore just getting in the spirit of Saint Patrick's day with the necklace she chose to wear? Nope, she was lucky enough to borrow the piece on loan from Bulgari, who created the piece for actress Elizabeth Taylor. Read more about the private event below!

It’s common for a star like Julianne Moore to spend an evening in borrowed jewels, but Tuesday saw the actress don dramatic pieces from the private collection of none other than Elizabeth Taylor.
Luxury jeweler Bulgari has acquired eight of its own creations back from the estate of the late actress, and marked the occasion with a seated dinner and afterparty at its Beverly Hills flagship.
Two armed guards tailed Moore while she was in possession of the goods – an insane step-cut emerald brooch from Taylor’s engagement setting (given to her by Richard Burton) with a necklace to match.
Moore rocked the brooch, described by one partygoer as "worth millions," surrounded in 12 pearl-shaped diamonds. The piece attached to the necklace by hook.
“It’s like getting two for the price of one,” Taylor was quoted as saying when she received it in 1964, according to Bulgari.
Other ladies enjoying the merchandise were Drew Barrymore, Kate Walsh, and Kirsten Dunst, who was sans beau Garrett Hedlund but enjoying a date night with her mom.
An Italian garden theme was in place – a nod to the Rome set of “Cleopatra” where Taylor and Burton fell in love – and featured ornate shrubs, columns, and lacquered outdoor dining furniture.
Thankfully the scene wasn’t actually al fresco since it was pouring rain in Beverly Hills. The Bulgari team had a first class solution, however.
Dozens of valets with umbrellas escorted guests to the storefront then across the street, where dinner was staged atop a parking garage.

Via Yahoo.com by Matt Donnelly