Maybe it’s hot out. Maybe you wore your ring when you shouldn’t have. (Swollen fingers from working out, anyone?) Maybe you tried on a friend’s ring – a friend whose fingers are slightly smaller than yours. Now you can’t get that ring off! Panic...

Triple X diamond is a trade term referring to stones that have Excellent cut, polish and symmetry on their GIA grading reports. GIA does not use this term but many jewelers do. Does Triple X rating matter and should you...

by Jessica VandenHouten Getting a ring appraisal (or any other type of jewelry appraised) isn’t exactly something you do every day, and unknowns can be intimidating. It’s time to set the record straight on some common misconceptions about when a ring appraisal...

by Jessica VandenHouten April showers bring May flowers, but this month also brings another natural beauty we’d be remiss to dismiss. It’s time to celebrate April’s birthstone, the diamond, the most desired birthstone of them all.  History and beliefs around the...

“The moment I realized my ring was missing, I felt like crawling into a corner and never coming out. I was afraid to let my husband know, as I know how much thought he put into picking out the diamond and designing the...

The appraisal discipline is actually separate from gemology. Commonly the assumption is that a Graduate Gemologist degree is enough qualification to determine value. In fact I too had this assumption leaving gemology school. I quickly learned of the years of...

 by Christina Lee In the fine jewelry world, a jewelry appraisal is a document that indicates a jewelry item’s value as determined by an individual appraiser for a certain market at the time the appraisal is performed. The appraisal specifies detailed features...

‘What if’ is a catalyst for both dreams, extra care and fear. It is the power of ‘what if’ that drives the way we live, expecting the unexpected and  organizing life in such a way that we’re ready when both...

by James L. Sweaney Many people think jewelry insurance is very expensive and that it only covers for theft.  For these and other reasons, some folks don’t carry any insurance on their jewelry when it’s really in their best interest...

But first, let me take a selfie! Whether you’re a closet selfie taker or proudly strike a pose in the middle of a crowded restaurant, you may have the urge to share the perfect engagement ring selfie when it comes to...