Diamond Facts

Tell Me More, Tell Me More!

Diamonds. Nothing is harder, nothing is sparklier and nothing -thanks to a nifty, mid-20th century advertising campaign - symbolizes love better. The ancient Greeks had a wordfor it, adamas - "invincible."

-via InStore Magazine

Jewelry News

1500-Year Old Ring May Have Royal Roots

"The $50,000 the Yorkshire Museum paid for a sapphire, gold and glass ring is turning out to be money well spent. Found by a local man with metal detector near the village of Esrick in 2009, the ring may have been made for the King of France, 1,500 years ago. "This sapphire ring is even more special than we had previously thought," says museum curator Natalie McCaul. A conference of global experts earlier this year made a few conclusions about the piece: The sapphire was probably cut during the Roman Era and the ring desgined around it. The wear on the rings suggests that it was worn for at least 50 years before it was lost. "Nothing like it has been found in this country," claims an exuberant McCaul."

-via InStore Magazine

Birthstones: Peridot

Cheat Sheet

If your sweetheart was born in August (the year doesn't matter!) wow her with a bit of knowledge on her birthstone, the peridot.

Targets: Green-eyed people, women between 22-43 years old (and anyone born in August!)

Product Features: Medium hardness, soothing color

Product Benefits: Adequate for ring use

Emotional Benefit: Feel different or special. The target market often thinks of themselves as iconoclasts or breakers with tradition.

-via InStore Magazine

For the Fashionista

15 Years Later: Sex and the City

It is hard to believe that the iconic television show Sex and the City first aired 15 years ago today. With that news it's exciting to take a look back at the memorable jewelry from the show. See a few pieces from the jewelry boxes of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda below. One of the most memorable would have to be the "Carrie" necklace, what do you think?

Diamonds & Cars

A Diamond Bentley Toy Car

What is a day without some astonishing use of jewelry among the hip-hop set? No worries - these stories just keep on coming. Jayceon Terrell Taylor, aka The Game, gifted his son with a remote-control miniature Bentley -- one hesitates to call it a toy -- and then covered it in $100,000 worth of diamonds. Why? Because he can. The game tweeted "props" to NYC jeweler Richie Nekatov, for managing to get 150 carats onto the car.

-via INSTORE magazine

The Ruby and the Cocktail

$40,000 a Drink - What's it Worth?

The Ruby Rose

If you've got some four-carat rubies to unload, The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, ME is in the market. The famous hotel and restaurant has people out shopping now, in fact, to prepare for a special offer commemorating 40 years in business -- rubies being the anniversary gemstone for 40 years. Beginning June 1, The White Barn will begin offering a special cocktail, the Ruby Rose: Hanger One Vodka, St. Germain Elferflower, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, pomegranate, a spoonful of rosewater, and a four-carat ruby. At forty-thousand bucks a glass, there's not likely to be a run on Ruby Roses, but the Inn says it's stocking up on the gems just in case. You can get a Ruby Red sans-stone for $18, but what fun is that?

-via INSTORE magazine

Christie's Auction Sets Records

The Princie Diamond

The Princie Diamond - sold at auction by Christie's

A pink diamond owned for nearly three centuries by Indian royalty has set a new auction record at Christies. The so-called Princie Diamond brought a top bid of $39.3 million Wednesday in New York City - roughly $1.1million per carat - greatly surpassing the previous house record of $24.3 million set in December 2008 with the sale of the Wittelsbach Diamond. The stone was not the only record-setter at the auction. The sale itself realized a combined total of more than $81.35 million, "marking the highest various owner jewelry sale total in the United States," according to Christie's.

-via INSTORE magazine

Diamonds and Cancer Treatment

Diamonds Show Promise as Cancer Treatment

UCLA doctors are touting a new treatment for one of the most virulent and difficult to treat forms of breast cancer -- injecting patients with tiny diamond particles that bind together and serve as a dispersal agent for chemotherapy drugs. Tested so far in mice, the diamond mass somehow reduces the toxicity of chemical agents used to treat "triple negative" breast cancer. Said one researcher: "The agent we've developed reduces the toxic side effects that are associated with treatment and mediates significant reductions in tumor size."

-via INSTORE magazine

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

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Jennifer Aniston &Justin Theroux

The worth of Aniston’s ring, presented by actor Justin Theroux, has been put in the same range, though it’s been tough to call because Aniston wasn’t quick to show it off (she even kept it covered on the set of We Are The Millers in New Mexico). It wasn’t until two months post-engagement that the paparazzi finally got a shot of the stunner as Aniston caressed her boyfriend’s face. The diamond—which might be emerald cut, might be oval or radiant—looks to be about eight or nine carats, which is certainly larger than Jolie’s. But with both rings being priced in the same ballpark, which bedazzled bride-to-be came out ahead is a matter of preference.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Swarovski Running Shoes

Now these are some running shoes we can really get behind.

Normally the ladies at Measetique Jewels prefer high heels, occasionally the cute and well-styled ballet flat. But after reading the below article from InStore Magazine, we find ourselves coveting this pair of running shoes! (For us US readers, football = soccer!)

"Swarovski has demonstrated in the past their willingness to cover virtually anything with crystals - from the interior of a Lamborghini to Susan Boyle's toenails - in order to get a media hit. Their latest PR stunt is leather Nikes embedded with 4,000 crystals. The company believes that the shoes are the most expensive pair of football boots ever used in action. "Action" here means a pre-match warm-up and photo-op during which they were worn by a French footballer who ditched them for real shoes once the game began."

via InStore Magazine

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Even though they’ve both moved on, exes Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston will never be far apart in the headlines. They both got engaged in 2012—Brad in April, and Jen in August—and inevitably, the betrothal rocks were the subject of comparison. If you’re counting carats, Brad’s seven-year partner, Angelina Jolie, has 16—one seven-carat, emerald-cut center stone, and nine carats worth of tapered diamonds covering the platinum band. The ring, designed by Beverly Hills jeweler Robert Procop, has been estimated at half a million, though reports say that Pitt paid twice that.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris

If at first you don’t succeed, try again and keep both rings. That’s the way Crystal Harris, new wife of Playboy icon Hugh Hefner, played it. Hefner first proposed to her on Christmas Eve 2010 with a 3-carat round diamond set in platinum; the couple set a June date, but the 24-year-old bride bailed five days before the big event. A year and a half later, the tenacious octogenarian tried again, presenting Harris with another impressive diamond set in six prongs with a diamond-covered band. “My beautiful ring from Hugh Hefner,” Harris tweeted—with photos. This ring did the trick; the couple exchanged vows, as planned, on New Year’s Eve. We hope Harris likes the rings: an ironclad prenup says she’ll get none of Hef’s estimated $43 million fortune.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s Lorraine Schwartz gemstone earrings

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!



photo via InStore Magazine

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Deadmau5 & Kat Von D

Canadian DJ and music producer Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) may have spared 61 characters when he tweeted his impromptu proposal to tattoo artist Kat Von D, but he spared no creative inspiration in designing her one-of-a-kind ring. Unfortunately, the unplanned proposal—which was supposed to have occurred 10 days later on Christmas, completed ring in hand—meant that his surprised girlfriend got a jpeg instead of a jewel.

The Twitpic featured a ring with a white diamond flanked by two skulls, and was accompanied by a note: “Changing the diamond to a black diamond. FYI. Sorry for the jpg… they’ll finish the actual ring soon I hope. I love you :D” The final product was well worth the wait, changed as it was to a double-band design with four skulls and small black accent diamonds. The tweeted response from the overwhelmed bride-to-be: “Tonight, Joel put a ring on my finger—too taken aback by its beauty and its meaning to post a pic right now.”

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain in Harry Winston earrings

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!



photo via InStore Magazine

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Salma Hayek 

Salma Hayek’s gemstone earrings

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!


photo via InStore Magazine

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore’s Bulgari earrings

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!


photo via InStore Magazine

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt in Lorraine Schwartz gemstones earrings and bracelet

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!

photo via InStore Magazine

Golden Globe Fashion 2013

Golden Globe Fashion - Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence’s linear Chopard earrings

A lot can be said of the jewelry worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes. The first major award show to kick off the season also brings hope to many a fashion fan. What will the 2013 red carpet fashions have in store for fashionistas? Earrings! Quite a few starlets even opted to include colored gemstone's in their jewelry settings. Our gemologist Marty is certainly happy to see this look hit the world's most famous red carpet! Styles may differ based upon dress necklines, however, the overall look brings attention upwards and accents the face beautifully.

Follow along with us this month as we bring you a few of our favorite pieces from this year's Golden Globe's Red Carpet!


photo via InStore Magazine