Platinum Engagement Rings
About the Padparadscha Sapphire
As you know, sapphires come in all shades of the rainbow except for red which is ruby. Padparadscha sapphire range in color from light to medium pinkish orange to orange pink and should be light in saturation. It’s easier to imagine the color as being a beautiful sunset or a ripe guava. Iron, titanium or chromium causes its unique color hue. Untreated padparadscha sapphires are beautiful and very rare. Because...
Hairwork – Jewelry Using Hair
It was not uncommon for Victorian women to use locks of hair from a child held in a special compartment of a locket, brooch or ring. This sentimental feeling brought about an increasing interest in hair jewelry. According to Godey’s Lady Book, in 1850 hairwork became a drawing-room occupation. “By acquiring a knowledge of this art, ladies will be themselves enabled to manufacture the hair of beloved friends and relatives...
Buying Cameos
When Victoria came into power, cameos were already very popular. In 1805, a school was started in Rome called “a Prix de Rome” founded by Pope Leo XII to learn the craft of cameo engraving. Although stone was used for the earliest cameos, shell cameos were later used to reduce its cost. Cameos were designed in rings, brooches, earrings and bracelets. Surprisingly, men also wore cameos as watch fobs, rings...
Turquoise Jewelry
Iran formally known as Persia remains the most significant source of turquoise for over 2000 years. Turquoise was used to decorate mosques, turbans and brides and today is used to make beautiful turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The Aztecs used inlaid turquoise with gold, quartz, malachite, jade, coral and shells in ceremonial mosaic objects and masks. Egyptians used turquoise as far back as Tutankhamun’s Tomb decorating the burial mask...