November 25, 2009
Turkey Day Message
Tomorrow is the day to take time to be thankful for all you have – usually by eating everything you have – starting with turkey! Then, Friday – Black Friday – is the day to join in a frenzy of bargain shopping or sit quietly and digest that thankful meal while shopping on your laptop. Enjoy the holiday weekend! Be back Monday! …Dii
November 24, 2009
Brazilian Beauty
Citrine comes with a huge “family” of other quartz varieties!! Purple is amethyst; pink is rose; brown is smoky; and green is well, green. There are other varieties – just too many to mention here today.
The interesting fact about citrine’s color is that is begins purple – is heated – and becomes the yellow to orange variety. This treatment is permanent and the color won’t revert back to amethyst. No special care is required; however, some jewelers avoid using a steam cleaner. And, they take special care to protect it from heat while performing any repairs – such as sizing a ring set with a citrine.
Although citrine may be described as topaz quartz or citrine topaz, it’s a different mineral altogether. It’s an easy separation – gemologically – so don’t let the name fool you. …Dii
November 23, 2009
Let Your Eyes Do The Shopping
Courtesy AGTA
November has another option for a birthstone – the Citrine. This golden beauty is from the quartz family – and comes with a lower price tag than topaz. (generally speaking.)
With any color gemstone, the color is so important. You want a rich color – not too light and not too dark. However, keep in mind, the cutter has a lot to do with the final result. You can own a pretty citrine because of its color – but for the exceptional one, keep an eye on the cut. …Dii
November 20, 2009
Mystery Topaz
Many gemstones are associated with some type of mystery or lore. The topaz is said to help improve your vision. So, what is Mystic Topaz? This may be a colorless topaz which is coated with a substance that creates a rainbow of colors over the stone. Some are actually the synthetic stone, cubic zirconia, with a similar coating and result.
How long will the coating last? That depends. (Don’t you love that statement?) Household cleaners might damage the coating – which, by the way – is only on the bottom of the stone. I certainly wouldn’t recommend cleaning it in an ultrasonic cleaner. And, if you need to have a ring sized, the heat necessary to complete this type of repair most likely will affect the coating. Mystery revealed! …Dii
November 19, 2009
It’s NOT All in a Name
Precious topaz is also described as Imperial Topaz – which I would describe as a warm gold color with a hint of pink! This luscious color is more rare and therefore, more money!
Pink topaz can also be found – but not in a great supply from Mother Nature. You wouldn’t know that from looking on the internet. “Pink topaz” is everywhere and offered at very low prices. I put that in quotes because not all of it is even topaz at all!
Many internet sellers don’t even know what they are selling – some of this is either a coated material or a pink color of cubic zirconia! If you want the genuine thing – see a gemologist/jeweler. They have the knowledge to determine the origin of the color as well as the value. Don’t let the “names” fool you! …Dii
November 18, 2009
Precious!
Precious Topaz
Another warm gemstone color is found in the November birthstone of Topaz. Although the blue topaz is very popular, this is dedicated to the golden variety – sometimes referred to as Precious Topaz. Wonder why?
Historically, the words precious and semiprecious date back to the time of Michelangelo. He received a letter from the sculptor and goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini, stating that artisans were starting to use “other than the precious three gems” (emerald, ruby, and sapphire) in making jewelry. Since then, the term precious has referred to ruby, sapphire and emerald – and all others were deemed semiprecious.
So why precious topaz? This is because of the color – a rare beautiful golden variety – that shouldn’t be confused with citrine, a variety of quartz. …Dii
November 17, 2009
By The Fire
A sip of cognac, a warm blanket, and a cozy fire. These are a few of my favorite things. It’s getting a bit chilly outside as fall hits the air – but here’s an idea for getting warm: Cognac diamonds!
Champagne and Cognac. Where do these diamonds come from? Down Under! Best known for their champagne and pink diamonds, Australia provides most of these unique colors. Imagine the deep golden brown color of cognac swirling in your glass – sparkling from the reflections off the fire – captured in a diamond. Yep – I’m warmer now… Dii
November 16, 2009
Pop the Cork!
You probably wouldn’t be too interested in brown diamonds – sounds rather blah. But, champagne diamonds seem to provide a bit more pop!! When you think of celebrations, you naturally think of the bubbly. So, putting champagne with diamonds sounds really fun to me.
Champagne Diamond Ring
Champagne isn’t really brown – and neither are some of these diamonds! However, the golden look of champagne can certainly be found in a diamond – and at a reasonable price. Another reason to pop the cork! …Dii
November 13, 2009
The Dark Side of Bling
Courtesy blackdiamonds.co.uk
To some, Friday the 13th can be a day associated with bad luck and black cats – to others, it’s the luckiest day of the year! For me, it’s all about black diamonds! Today’s fashions in jewelry include these black jewels and some are even set in black metals!! The dark side of Bling!
I can’t remember a previous time when black diamonds were really all that popular in jewelry. There were dark stones – dark red garnet, hematite and marcasite – set in Victorian jewelry and many times worn during a time of mourning. But now we see contemporary designs using dark metals and black diamonds following the themes of Goth and Vampires! It’s not just for mourning anymore! You can have some fun with this!
Twilight and New Moon are two recent books and movies that make death seem like a pretty fun option! Someone has even created “Twilight jewelry”! So why don’t you scare up your own dark delights today – first, take a black cat for a walk under a ladder – and then go shopping for some black diamonds. Create a whole new meaning for Black Friday!! Have a great weekend…. Dii
