December 24, 2009
Last Chance
Shopping on Christmas Eve can leave you feeling desperate – especially if you don’t have an idea of what to buy. Do you know where she shops? Start there – she probably likes most everything in the store – the jewelry store, that is… In fact, some jewelers have a wish list – created by their customers – for shoppers just like you!
But what if you don’t get the best choice? Be sure your jeweler understands that she may want to exchange it for something else. No penalties; no restocking fees.
Just a Merry Christmas! Until Next Year…Dii
December 23, 2009
2 Days Left
Now you’re cutting it close. You have to make a decision. Maybe you just need ONE MORE THING! Take my advice – buy bling! Find the best jeweler with the credentials of professionalism and a reputation for making people smile! It doesn’t have to cost a lot – it just needs to mean a lot! Quality always says she’s worth it!
Silver is very shiny and compliments every skin tone. Big hoop earrings and chandelier-style earrings are very popular. Ask about the care – will they tarnish? Some silver is plated too – this can delay the tarnishing. So, a great stocking stuffer is jewelry cleaner – or a soft silver cleaning cloth. Wrap it up! …Dii
December 22, 2009
3 Shopping Days
There are three things I DON’T want for Christmas – bathroom faucets, a toaster, or a steam vacuum cleaner. Although they are on my shopping list, most women would probably agree with me that necessities are not as exciting as something you might splurge on.
If you are shopping for a glittering trinket – say a ring or a bracelet or a necklace – these tokens of affection show that you want her to feel special. There are many jewelers who would love to help you surprise her this Christmas, so how do you know what to get?
How about a key to your heart? Pendants with diamond-adorned keys are quite popular and not too expensive. Charms are fun too. You can start with a silver bracelet and a couple of charms. Then, add more charms for her birthday, etc. Rings can be a bit more costly, and a diamond ring definitely makes a statement. If you’re not ready for that type of commitment, go with her birthstone – or yours! She’ll certainly remember your birthday next year… …Dii
December 21, 2009
4 Shopping Days
The countdown begins – this is the last chance week to shop for Christmas. Then you need to wrap the presents and either hide them or get them under the tree.
Just remember, great things come in small packages!!! Think bling!! …Dii
December 18, 2009
Got Bling??
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas is just around the corner! One week from today and all those beautifully wrapped packages will be torn open leaving quite a mess of wrapping and ribbon behind.
So, are you finished with your shopping? If not, keep in mind these helpful hints:
She will always love jewelry – quality is important.
She will always love jewelry – it doesn’t have to cost a lot.
She will always love jewelry – diamonds say love.
Look for an American Gem Society jeweler to help fulfill all her dreams this Christmas Eve – and keep her smiling everyday in 2010!! (Pass this message on if you’d like him to know.) Happy shopping… Dii
December 17, 2009
Big Birthday Celebration
I have a great excuse for not getting a blog posted yesterday. I was with a group of friends celebrating the birthday of our former Executive Director of the American Gem Society, Al Woodill. “Big Al” will be 90 this year – the day after Christmas – and a few of his friends gathered at the Bel Air Beach Club to toast a man that has been a great part of our industry’s history and our lives.
Al was the leader of our association for 40 years and although he officially retired in 1987, has remained our Ambassador and is known in the jewelry industry as Mr. AGS. To me, he’s my very special guy and I’m so glad I got to sing Happy Birthday and give him a birthday hug and kiss!
It was a beautiful day at the beach – a clear day that doesn’t come often to southern California. But, the “gods” knew it should be a wonderful day to celebrate with Al and have as a memory for a long time. We love you Al… Dii
December 15, 2009
Take Your Pick!
Zircon is a beautiful gemstone with an unfortunate name – not to be confused with cubic zirconia – or CZ – an imitation of a diamond that comes in many different colors. Zircon is a gemstone with fire and a lot of sparkle. In the past, before CZ, colorless zircon was sometimes used as a substitute for diamond!
Now, it’s becoming more appreciated for its blue color. This December beauty has experienced a renewed interest in its ability to out-sparkle many of our more popular gems. It’s not a particularly hard gemstone – you should take care if wearing it in a ring. However, it takes a great polish and its optical properties deliver a bright and lively display of brightness and fire. You should see it in red!!
Most blue and colorless zircon have been heated to achieve their color (or lack thereof). The color is usually stable, but avoid heat, ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Again, due to its lack of hardness, you can see abrasion on the facets of the stone after prolonged wear. It can be repolished; although, it would have to come out of its mounting.
You lucky December birthday babies! You can choose from tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon – or choose all three! Sometimes it’s hard to make up your mind… Dii
December 14, 2009
Barbie Birthstone
When you hear about turquoise, your first thoughts may be southwest jewelry set in silver. While this has been popular from time to time, it’s a classic use of turquoise that is found in the southwest part of the US. Much of it is intertwined with dark veins or matrix.
There is turquoise, found in other parts of the world, which has a reputation for being an even, lustrous color similar to a robin’s egg. This turquoise is sometimes called Persian turquoise and is considered the finest quality.
The hardness of turquoise leaves it vulnerable to scratching, so you want to store it separated from other jewelry pieces. Don’t use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner; just warm soapy water and a very soft brush if you need to clean around a mounting. Be careful with cosmetics – some chemicals can discolor turquoise.
Turquoise can be treated with a wax or plastic to improve its appearance. These treatments are common, so be sure you know the jeweler is knowledgeable about turquoise. Just as with any gemstone, treatments affect value and care directions should be disclosed to you before making a purchase. Not every Barbie knows this! …Dii
December 11, 2009
Ooh La La!
Courtesy Tanzanite Foundation
Tanzanite is named after the country in which is was discovered – Tanzania. This area of east Africa offers a few various gemstones, but none quite as popular as tanzanite. Although it isn’t the hardest of gemstones, you can find most of them set into rings.
Just be careful – tanzanite can be damaged – and when set in rings isn’t appropriate for daily wear – that is, unless you don’t do housework, raise children, exercise, or join in any other physical activity! If you’re like me, you can knock the stone against a wall or counter just walking from room to room! (Bracelets aren’t such a good idea either.) And that can chip the stone. Sob, sob!!
Clean your tanzanite jewelry with a mild detergent and soft brush; store safely away from other jewelry or items that could hit against it and scratch or chip the gem. It’s most appropriate in a necklace or earrings; however, that requires you to check yourself out at each mirror you can find. After all, it’s such a beautiful gem, who can pass up the chance to ooh and aah at it! Next week, turquoise and zircon. …Dii
December 10, 2009
It’s Heating Up
Many gemstones endure a heating process to intensify the color. This is true for most tanzanite. The enhancement is permanent, the gemstone requires no special care because of the enhancement, and it’s almost impossible for a gemologist to tell that it’s been heated! This means you need a reputable jeweler who knows their supplier as well as gemology!!
Prices are based on the tanzanite having been heated. If you are being shown a tanzanite that has not been heated, you can expect to pay a premium, so be sure your jeweler knows about the gemstone and is willing to discuss how he or she knows. …Dii
