Of course, the answer to the last question is that diamonds are used to cut and polish other diamonds! But before getting there, let’s consider the deliciousness of secret and arcane knowledge, and why we are magnetically drawn to what we aren’t supposed to know, like secret handshakes, passwords and whispered gossip of all sorts. In the heady post war years, diamond dealing had an old world flavor, and its attendant prestige made diamond lore endlessly fascinating. Who could be immune to legends of famous diamond jewelry given to famouus royalty, and clebrities by...

As the daughter of a diamond dealer whose office was on 47th Street in Manhattan, I was both an insider and an outsider at the same time. An outsider because I was a woman, and an insider because I was privy to all the details of a dying, pre-digital, age-old business in the mid-20th century. Diamond dealing is as old as time itself. There were diamond dealers in the first diaspora, pre bce, and there were diamond dealers on the silk road through China. Diamonds were a perfect commodity for those who had to move in a hurry because they were exiled from everywhere. Diamonds were...

When I opened the door to interview a temporary babysitter, it was a case of Mr. Mom meet Pippi Longstockings. Before me stood a preternaturally thin, redheaded man of indeterminate age. He grinned, revealing a gap-toothed smile, with one brilliant, yellow diamond set into his front tooth. This matched the one in his left earlobe. His clothing could only be described as early Commedia dell'arte, complete with a tight-fitting green vest, plaid pants and yellow shoes or sneakers. There was a Dali-style diamond brooch with a pear-shaped teardrop in the corner of the eye pinned to...

The emerald cut is probably one of the oldest cut in the history of diamond cutting. Also known as a step cut, they are treasured for their timeless and elegant looks. They can be a perfect choice for your engagement if a distinct and vintage look is what you are looking for. My mother and my grand mother both had emerald cut diamond rings. An emerald cut, more than any other cut, accentuates a stone’s clarity. And it thus becomes necessary to use a high-grade diamond when going for an emerald cut. One way to add glamour to this cut can be, by adding halo diamonds to the perimeter...

Lockets are small, beautiful cases typically worn as a pendant that hold a keepsake or picture. The history of lockets is nearly as much of a secret as the contents. Lockets are thought to hold your deepest secrets and are always very sentimental and personal to the person wearing it. A locket commonly contains a picture, love note, ashes, or a lock of hair. On the outside they are, in most cases, engraved with the initials of the owner and/or words expressing her affection for her lover. It is nearly impossible to determine the exact date and/or place of origin of the locket because...

It is said that the Gothic Cross represents the intersection of Heaven – or the Spiritual World – and Earth – or the Material World. The four quadrants arms/quadrants of the cross are representative of either the four elements (Air, Water, Fire, Earth) or the four main directions (West, East, North, South). Central to the gothic style, is the association with dark clothes/makeup, and the theme of death. Therefore, the Gothic Culture does not necessarilly represent a Christian point of view. Still, the gothic cross is considered by many to be a sacred symbol. While the...

The fleur-de-lis is an elegant and timeless symbol. The English translation is “flower of the lily.” The fleur-de-lis is representative of the lotus flower and has many meanings attached to it. This symbol has been commonly used to represent royalty in France. Legend states that an angel gave the Merovingian king of the Franks a golden lily when he converted to Christianity, but other legends state that he took up the symbol when the water lilies guided him safely across the river. Experts are unable to come to an agreement, but in the 12th century, King Louis VI or VII was...

Art Deco jewelry is fun and funky- influenced heavily by geometric shapes- but where did it come from? The art deco style became quite popular around 1925, after the World’s Fair was held in Paris, France. “Art Deco” is actually simply a shortened form of the name of the event: the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts. The art deco style was popular until about the middle of the 1930s. In the 1980s, the art deco style became popular once again. The style of art deco actually influenced more than jewelry. The influence was also seen in...

If you know anything about jewelry, chances are that you’ve heard the term “art nouveau.” Art Nouveau was a very short lived, but dramatically recognized period. During this time, some of the most desirable pieces were created. This movement began during the final years of the reign of Queen Victoria as both an artistic and creative revolt against the commonplace methods of manufacture and themes of the 19th century. The art nouveau jewelry was inspired by Japanese art imported into Europe during the 1800s. These Japanese influences were showcased by the interpretations...

If you are researching about “conflict free diamonds” it means that you are interested in buying an engagement ring, right? As you know, there is a lot more about buying an engagement ring than finding out about the diamond source. 2.4 million engagement rings are sold every year in America. In our American culture, the diamond engagement ring has become a required purchase for any groom to be. Most buyers have either no idea at all about diamonds or very little knowledge. Most of the knowledge was acquired through people advertising to sell diamonds. Hmmmm, that's...

Have you heard of "Fair and Ethically Sourced Gold Jewelry"? Wow! That sounds great, doesn't it? Now, many of you who are seriously looking to buy an engagement ring have heard of the "Kimberly Process". To those of you that don't know, it is an agreement by a group of nations to certify diamonds that are not involved in conflict. They are called "Conflict Free Diamonds". That also sounds great! I wonder who the marketing genius was that came up with this phrase. There is so much interest lately in "conflict free diamonds", "fair...

Engagement jewelry in the early 19th century in England was entirely hand made. Diamonds were either rose-cut, with a pointed top, or mine-cut, with a flat top. There was a lack of precision, but also each piece was completely unique. Not many of these antique engagement rings still exist today. Their rarity means that they are also very and when we do see antique rings, we can marvel at both the style as well as the craftsmanship, visible in this rose cut antique brooch. early 19th century cluster brooch. In fact, rock crystal, marcasite and cut steel were all used and even...