Gemstone Facts

All About Emeralds with GIA

Pantone has named emerald their color of the year, which makes us jewelers even more excited to celebrate with the emerald stone all year long! The Gemological Institute of America tells us a bit more about the famous green gemstone. Take a peek!

"The first known emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 B.C. into the 1700s. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. 16th-century Conquistadors discovered South American mines hidden by the Incas. A ready and exceptional supply of emeralds was suddenly available, and Europeans fell in love with the bewitchingly beautiful gemstone.

Some 500 years later, emeralds are still enchanting us. Emerald is the birthstone for the month of MAy because its color symbolizes the rebirth and renewal that comes with spring. Pantone names it the Color of the Year for 2013 because of the "luxury and elegance (it brings) to the palette."

Emerald available for custom design at Measetique Jewels
Custom Emerald and Diamond Pendant

Emeralds are formed when the chromium, vanadium, and iron are present in the mineral beryl. The varying presence of these three elements gives emerald its range of color. Chromium and vanadium make an intense green color. Iron gives the stone a bluish tint.

The most valuable emeralds are bluish-green to green and have a medium to medium-dark tone. Since emeralds typically form in six-sided prisms, they are naturally suited for, and often shaped into, the emerald cut.

Most emeralds have inclusions (internal clarity characteristics) and blemishes (surface clarity characteristics) that can be seen with the unaided eye. The size and types of inclusions greatly affect price: from $10 per carat for a small low-quality stone, to $50,000 per carat for an exceptionally clean stone."

-via GIA Education

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!

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

Pantone Color of the Year 2013

It's here, it's here, it's finally here!  Pantone has selected their color of the year for 2013, drum roll please.....Emerald! Let everyone with a May birthday get excited as they might see quite a few more striking birthstone pieces this year!

In the jewelry business it is important to note a few characteristics of emeralds. Take a quick look at the information below to find out more.

• First, they are not a strong enough stone to wear on a daily basis. This does not make the suitable for engagement rings.
• Second, they are a beryl mineral, the same as aquamarines. Unlike aquamarines they crystallize closer to the Earth's surface and therefore have more fractures and scratches.
• Third, the finest colors for emerald gemstones are green blue transparent stones with strong saturation. 
• Fourth, emeralds of fine quality often times come from Columbia and countries in South America.
• Fifth, the Emerald is the birthstone for May.

Click to view Pantone's Color of the Year