luxury Archives

Tips from Jewelers Mutual: Popular Engagement Rings to Make Your Holiday Proposal Perfect

November 13, 2015

Are you planning to make one of your holiday gifts an engagement ring? With all the excitement and holiday hubbub, where do you begin? Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has compiled a wonderful list of what to look for, based on latest trends, hottest colors and alternative alloys. But keep in mind, it’s most important to be conscious of what your beloved most desires. Learn more by reading their blog, Popular Engagement Rings to Make Your Holiday Proposal Perfect.

Tips from Jewelers Mutual: When Not to Wear Your Wedding Ring This Summer

July 24, 2015

We love summer! The season tempts us to let those gorgeous gemstones sparkle in the sunshine, and it’s especially an attractive way to dress up bare skin. But don’t forget that the harsh chemicals in much-needed sunscreen, and the chlorine in the refreshing pool, are harmful to fine jewelry. While you’re having fun in the sun, you run the risk of ruining your jewelry—or even worse, losing it! Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company offers the following tips on how to keep your jewelry safe during this active season. Learn more by reading their blog, When Not to Wear Your Wedding Ring

Top 5 Facebook Favorites!

July 17, 2015

By Amanda L. ColbornIt’s been awhile since the American Gem Society has posted some of our social media favorites, so I thought I’d catch you up on what’s going on with our AGS Facebook page. The social media favorites are really determined by our followers. These top 5 pieces—including a stunning fire opal—have garnered the most likes and engagement on Facebook and so that’s how I determined what made this week’s blog.And let me just say, our followers have exquisite taste!Here’s a look at what’s been trending on our page this season: First up is this breathtaking fire opal ring from

The Benefits of Jewelry Appraisals

July 10, 2015

By Phillip Bosen, CGA and Director of Business Development at Von Bargen’s JewelryA critical step in protecting and preserving the value of your jewelry is getting an updated appraisal on a regular basis. In fact, if the most recent appraisal of your jewelry took place five or more years ago, it’s time to get a new appraisal.You may be asking what a jewelry appraisal does for you. The obvious answer is that an appraisal sets a value for your jewelry. And with today’s roller-coaster values for gold, platinum, silver and gemstones, knowing what your jewelry is worth can save you heartache

Pearls of Wisdom for June 2015

June 5, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn Happy birthday to all the June babies out there! You’re all very lucky in that you have three very unique birthstones commemorating this special month! Unfortunately, I am not creative enough to also be able to work “Alexandrite” and “Moonstone” into this blog’s title. But, let’s jump right into pearls! PEARLS Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries. They were one of the favorite gems of the Roman Empire. Later, during the Tudor period in England, the 1500’s were known as the Pearl Age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living

Your sneak peek into Jewelry Week!

May 29, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn May 26 – June 1 is known as “Jewelry Week” this year in Las Vegas, NV. With major trade show events hosted at both Mandalay Bay and the Wynn, you could say that the jewelry industry has taken over the Las Vegas strip. Many of the exhibitors that have flown to Vegas to showcase their jewelry pieces are none other than American Gem Society members, of course! We are very excited to give you a behind-the-scenes peek into some of the amazing pieces these designers have brought with them! This first image showcases three stunning pieces from Simon

Graduation Gifts!

May 22, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn Time sure does fly, right? Perhaps you’ve been dreading it…or maybe you’re looking forward to this new chapter of your loved ones’ life. Whether you’re ready for it or not, your favorite graduate is going to be walking down that aisle and accepting that diploma or degree that they’ve worked so hard for. Witnessing this significant step in your loved ones’ life will likely bring some tears to your eyes. But have no fear, you can return the favor when you gift them an amazing piece of jewelry, as a congratulatory token of your love, during this most momentous of times. This is

Go Retro: The Beauty & Benefits of Estate Jewelry

May 15, 2015

By Amanda L. Colborn When it comes to jewelry, more and more people are looking to the past for their present jewelry inspiration. It’s not just about style and fashion, estate jewelry has benefits to both your wallet AND the environment! But first, what is “estate” jewelry? Estate jewelry is, in the simplest of terms, jewelry that has been previously owned by someone else. Is it the same as “antique” jewelry? Yes and no, estate jewelry is not considered an antique until it is at least 100 years old, according to 4cs.gia.edu. So, why would estate jewelry be something for

Going Gaga for Heart-Shaped Jewelry

February 27, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn In honor of Lady Gaga’s recent engagement (and her heart-stopping diamond ring), we’re celebrating the heart symbol and the heart cut diamond. Did you know that we can trace the heart symbol all the way back to the Ice Age era? It’s true. Cave paintings have been discovered with this symbol that trace back to the Ice Age. Though we do not know what this symbol meant to the cavemen who drew them, we do know that it was important enough for them to often paint it on the inside of their cave walls. The mysterious symbol

Hand Bling to the Extreme

August 29, 2014

By Kevin P. McVay We recently stumbled upon an article that explains a recent fashion trend that has now hit the Hollywood stage—nails-as-jewelry. Rita Ora, a British singer, songwriter and actress, was seen with a completely customized manicure last Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her nails were coated with Azature Black Diamond Nail Lacquer in Ruby Diamond. Though her nail polish contained black diamonds, what was featured on top of them is what’s getting people talking. Her manicure, applied by celebrity manicurist Barbara Warner, featured tiny hand-crafted diamond spiders and ruby bows which have been priced at around $56,000! While

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