Recent Posts

Secrets of Ancient Jewelry Making

Jewelry is always a work in progress, new tools and techniques develop over the years that allow makers to experiment and create fabulous new designs.

The Subtle Chic of Vintage Coral Jewelry

According to ancient Greek legend, when Perseus beheaded the gorgon Medusa, he put her head down on the sandy beach and as the blood ran out it turned the seaweed to coral.

Eras

Antique French Jewelry: 1800-1950

Every so often a book comes out that really explains jewelry history and the materials used in its fabrication, that is what “Antique French Jewelry: 1800-1950”, recently published by Flammarion, d

1980s Jewelry: Big and Bold

Reaganomics, New Conservatism, Wall Street, Yuppies, Preppies, Cable TV, MTV, Rap, Punk Rock, New Wave, New Age, Iran-Contra, Logomania, Princess Diana and anything big all defined the 1980s.

Victorian Jewelry: The Aesthetic Years

Electricity, Arts & Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, Suffragette Movement, Gibson Girls, Art Workers Guild, Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, Sarah Bernhardt all defined the Aesthetic Years.

Victorian Jewelry: The Grand Years

Prince Albert dies, diamonds are discovered in South Africa, silver discovered in Nevada, archeological excavations, women enter the workforce in droves, suffragette movement begins, Suez Canal opens, opal discovered in Australia and Japonism were some of the events that defined the Grand Years.

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Designers, Makers & Retailers

Solange: Jewelry for Chromantics

Every so often a jewelry designer comes along who perfectly captures the zeitgeist of our times and whose jewelry is destined to become a future collectible.

Raymond Yard: The Gentleman Jeweler

From door attendant to becoming one of the most influential jewelry designers of the early 20th century, Raymond Yard was known not only for his spectacular jewels, but for his integrity and kindness as well.

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Diamonds

Hope Diamond: Is It Really Cursed?

The Hope Diamond is recognized for its fancy color, exceptional size and the legendary tales associated with it, most of which tell the misfortunes of those who owned the gem.

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Pearls & Colored Gemstones

Colombia’s Treasure: Emeralds

Deep in the heart of the mountainous semitropical region of Colombia you’ll find the mines that produce what are considered to be some of the world’s finest emeralds, highly valued for their color, clarity and qual

The Legendary Beauty of Burma Rubies

Nestled deep in the mountainous region of the Mogok Valley in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, you’ll find the legendary mines that produced some of the world’s finest rub

Phenomenal Gemstones: A Precious Light Show

Looking at a gemstone and its inner life is always intriguing, but some gems have distinctive optical effects that are particularly fascinating such as stars or color changes.

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Bridal

Engaged With Color

Everyone has a favorite color and most likely that color is favored because it either makes you feel good, or it’s a color that looks good on you when you wear i

What’s Your Diamond Shape?

Choosing an engagement ring celebrates a milestone in your relationship and from a sentimental point of view, it is perhaps the most important piece of jewelry you will ever own in your lifetime.

The Engaging History of the Engagement Ring

Rose Cut diamond, 14-karat gold and silver, circa 1900, courtesy of French Collection One of the most highly anticipated rituals around marriage is getting engaged and with that announcement comes a little something sparkly…usually a diamond rin

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Behind the Scenes

Secrets of Ancient Jewelry Making

Jewelry is always a work in progress, new tools and techniques develop over the years that allow makers to experiment and create fabulous new designs.

The Subtle Chic of Vintage Coral Jewelry

According to ancient Greek legend, when Perseus beheaded the gorgon Medusa, he put her head down on the sandy beach and as the blood ran out it turned the seaweed to coral.

The Influencers

In every industry there is somebody, or perhaps several somebodies, who are not directly involved in that particular business, yet they manage to have an outsize influence.

Divine Jewels: The Pursuit of Beauty

One of the world’s greatest jewelry collectors, Kazumi Arikawa, is a name you’ve most likely never heard, but over the course of four decades he has assembled a museum caliber collection of European jewelry, much of it French, that is truly envia

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IAJA Expertise

Meet the Expert: Angela Hedges

From a small town to the bright lights of the Big City, a passion for theater and a college job in Indiana launched a career in jewelry that led Angela Hedges to New York City and  her dream job: Director of Archives & Estate Jewelry for Harry Winston.

Meet The Expert: Olivier Bachet

A creative spirit and an interest in exceptional art, antiques and jewelry propelled Olivier Bachet along his career path as a jewelry, art and antique expert.

July Birthstone: Ruby

Celebrated present-day as the July birthstone, rubies have unceasingly enchanted and entranced humankind.

READ MORE FROM IAJA EXPERTISE