Unfortunately in today's world, fraud happens. Glass and synthetic gems are sold as real stones or natural stones. If you aren't a lapidarist then you might not know how to tell whether the stone you have is real or fake. As a general rule of thumb, real gemstones no matter what kind they are have inclusions. You may not be able to see the inclusions without a loupe or...

  Ever noticed that over time your pearls start to lose their luster and can start looking a bit yellow?  Pearls can be very delicate compared to other gemstones because they're porous and soft.  They're prone to being scratched and damaged much more easily because of that.  But with the right care, you can keep your pearls looking absolutely stunning and ensure they last a long time. Don't. Once pearls...

  There's nothing worse than purchasing a bracelet or set only to realize it doesn't fit.  Whether it's too large and slipping halfway down your hand or too small and you're considering slathering your hand in soap just to get it on (or maybe I'm the only one who thought it would be a good idea).  Either way, if you understand how different bracelets are sized, you can look forward...

If you have metal sensitivity then you know it.  It's uncomfortable, irritating, and downright annoying.  It often rears its ugly head as an allergic reaction or dermatitis.  As a person who has incredibly sensitive skin, I've experienced the rashes, swelling, and itchiness; it's not any fun.  Jewelry shopping is also difficult because it's hard to discern whether a metal you're sensitive to is present or not.  So for all those...

There are so many gemstones that can be used in jewelry.  Choosing appropriate gemstones to use in jewelry pieces depends on the Mohs hardness scale.  Harder stones are more durable and can withstand everyday wear and tear.  Light is another factor because some gemstones will never fade or change color with light exposure while others will.  These are all considerations I think about when creating jewelry pieces.  Depending on how...

Realized you still haven't gotten that gift you were supposed to last week?  Or maybe you haven't found the right item to ask for yet.  Either way, thanks to research and lots of googling, here are the five most popular jewelry gift ideas for this Valentine's Day.  Finding gifts can be stressful and takes time and thought.  Think about what the person likes and already owns before choosing a piece. ...

  Amethyst is the birthstone for February, meaning it's the perfect time to delve deeper into this gemstone.  Amethyst jewelry today is quite popular but amethyst hasn't always been so abundant.  The rich purple hues of amethyst are entirely unique and while there are other purple-hued gemstones, amethysts stand out because of their affordability.  Purple sapphires can look similar to amethyst but they are much more rare, costly, and their...

There are a lot of earring back styles that you probably recognize but might not know the exact name of.  Even more complicated, in jewelry making these styles are broken down even further creating sub categories.  In order to understand all these styles, I've made an easy to refer to chart.   Fishhook / French Hook Earrings These earrings have slightly different looks depending on the design but the concept...