Jewelry Blog

Jewelry chains: Tiger eye link

2008-12-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

With the tiger eye link chain shown above, only the gold colored links are the tiger eye links.

A tiger eye chain link is formed from two split rings, shown at the top of the illustration to the left. The split ends of each ring are deformed so they overlap.

The two rings are combined, intertwined, and soldered to form a single link.

The photo below shows two example of jewelry pieces that have been confusingly called "tiger eye link." These two pieces use the semi-precious gemstone tiger eye to form the link itself with the piece on the right, or to adorn the links of the watch band on the left.

Jewelry chains: Panther link

2008-12-20T07:40:00.000-08:00

Panther link chain

The panther link chain is a style of jewelry chain made with a series of partially overlapping hinged links. As the illustration shows, the panther link chain can be constructed in a variety of widths and with non-functional side ornaments.

Animal designs: Panther jewelry

2008-12-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

According to Elise B. Misiorowski, writing in the March 1998 issue of Professional Jeweler Magazine, the use of realistic representation of panthers in fine jewelry is a 20th Century innovation. In 1948 the Duke of Windsor commissioned Cartier to make a panther brooch for the Duchess of Windsor. The panther designs produced by Cartier and the celebrity of the patrons created a popular sensation, and panther and other big cat designs were favored for a time. A resurgence of panther popularity occurred in the 1980s.

"The panther is now a metaphor for the contemporary woman; sensual and self-assured with an underlying element of danger, hinting that care should be used in handling this exotic creature."

Photos of these various vintage jewelry pieces are difficult to locate, but a selection of contemporary panther jewelry designs may be viewed here: Panther jewelry.

Book notes: Suzanne Tennenbaum & Janet Zapata

2008-12-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

Jeweled Garden: A Colorful History of Gems, Jewelry, and Nature
by: Suzanne Tennenbaum & Janet Zapata
Vendome Press, 2006
Hardcover ISBN-10: 0865651728
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-0865651722
Softcover ISBN-10: 0500513295
Softcover ISBN-13: 978-0500513293

A comprehensive history of botanical motifs in jewelry from the Victorian period to the present. Illustrated.

The Jeweled Menagerie: A World of Animals in Gems
by: Suzanne Tennenbaum & Janet Zapata
Thames & Hudson, 2001
Hardcover ISBN-10: 0500510490
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-0500510490
Softcover ISBN-10: 0500286736
Softcover ISBN-13: 978-0500286739

A comprehensive history of animal motifs in jewelry from the Victorian period to the present. Illustrated.

Professional Jeweler Magazine

2008-12-18T20:13:00.000-08:00

PJM - Professional Jeweler Magazine
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
phone: 215-567-0727
fax: 215-545-9629

www.professionaljeweler.com

The website does not appear to have been updated since late 2006, and the status of the publication itself is unknown. Article archives for 2006 and before are still available online

Wittelsbach blue diamond sells for $24.3 million

2008-12-11T20:46:00.001-08:00

The world famous 35.56 carat Wittelsbach blue diamond sold at a Christie's auction for a record $24.3 million.

CNN: Diamond sells for recession-busting $24.3 M

The Wittelsbach

White Gold Diamond Cat Pendant

2008-12-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Jewelry Catalog
Gold and diamond cat pendant

14 k white gold.
1/8 total carat weight diamonds
Diamonds - I-J color.
Diamonds - I2-I3 clarity.
18 inch chain.

Source: Amazon.com

Additions to the cat jewelry catalog collection

2008-12-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Retail Jeweler: Netaya Corporation

2008-11-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

Netaya Corporation
www.netaya.com - online since 1999

Office or return shipping address (not a store):
31-00 47th Ave - 5th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 800-636-6884

Better Business Bureau search 11-07-2008: within the last 12 months the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York City has received 3 customer complaints. Netaya Corporation responded to each complaint. Two were resolved to the customers satisfaction, but one was not. (www.bbb.com)

Amazon.com Merchant - Lifetime rating 94% positive or neutral on a total of 8484 customer feedback responses. (November, 2008)

Buy from Netaya through Amazon.com and get Amazon's A-to-z Guarantee

Refund policy - November 7, 2008.
(Please verify on Amazon.com Merchant listing at time of purchase.)

Netaya guarantees that the quality of all its merchandise will meet or exceed your expectation. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 30 days of receipt and Netaya will gladly provide a replacement, exchange, or refund your credit card (shipping charges are not refundable), except items that are custom engraved cannot be returned or exchanged.

Guide to the U.S. Trade in Gold and Silver Jewelry

2008-11-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Gold and Silver Jewelry, is a recently released publication from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, underwritten by a grant from The Richline Group. It is available for free download - here.

From the introduction:

"The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is committed to provide a guidance tool for the trade on the subject of silver and gold precious metal articles. The laws and regulations that govern the manufacture and sale of industry products made with silver and gold are well established. Some of these regulations and laws go back to the beginning of the 20th century. The intention of this brochure is to ensure a greater understanding of these laws so that they can be properly applied to the trade practice in this area and, therefore, provide clear, accurate consumer information.

"New combinations and alloys of gold, silver and gold and other gold plated products are being developed for use in jewelry in this increasingly technological world. The application of the law to these products is essential to ensure consumer confidence in these products. This publication can be used as a guide to achieve a greater understanding of the legal requirements for identifying, marking and marketing these products."

Though this document was written for jewelry professionals, it is also quite useful to consumers for the purpose of making better informed buying decisions.

Gold, diamond, and ruby lion pendant or brooch - estate jewelry

2008-11-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Estate jewelry

Gold, diamond, and ruby lion pendant or brooch

Circa 1990, this 18k yellow gold sculpted lion can be worn either as a pendant or a brooch. The lion's mane, tail and eyes sport eleven round diamonds (0.15 carat total weight) and 15 round rubies (0.20 carat total weight).

The Jewelery Catalog

Gold, diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald lion pendant - estate jewelry

2008-11-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Estate jewelry

Gold, diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald lion pendant

This 14 gold lion pendant dates from about 1985. Twenty-seven round cut diamonds, with 1.35 total carat weight, outline the lion's mane and tail-tip. Two round rubies, 0.2 total carat weight, serve as eyes. Additional gem adornments include four round emeralds, 0.06 total carat weight, and seven round rubies, 0.20 total carat weight, that complete the design of this multi-gem vintage gold lion pendant. This pendant works with up to an 8 mm chain (not included).

The Jewelry Catalog - Gold, diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald lion pendant

Lesotho diamonds - Lesotho Brown - 1967

2008-11-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

Some of the world's largest rough diamonds have been found in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a small African country totally surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. The first large diamond found in Lesotho in modern times was discovered by accident in 1967.

That 601-carat rough diamond has been named the 'Lesotho Brown,' after the stone's brown color. In fact, however, upon cutting and polishing, this gem showed its true color to be pink. Harry Winston purchased the rough diamond in 1968, divided it into 18 pieces, which were polished into 18 diamonds.

The largest is a 71.73-carat emerald cut flawless diamond known as the Lesotho I. The third largest stone cut from the crystal — the Lesotho III — is a 40.42-carat marquise-shaped gem that was once owned by Jackie Kennedy, given to her by her husband Aristotle Onassis. It was sold at her estate sale auction by Sotheby's in April 1996 for a price of $2,587,500.

"The diamond [Lesotho III], accompanied by GIA report #8682475 is L color, VS2 clarity. The ring was purchased by Al and Felice Lippert on behalf of their friend Tony O'Reilly of the Heinz Ketchup fortune as a birthday gift for his wife Chryssanthie Goulandris The stone comes with the original working diagram stating that the stone may be potentially flawless." Rapaport News 4-26-96

On Wednesday, November 19, 2008 the famous 71.73-carat Lesotho I diamond, estimated at $3 million-$5 million, was offered for sale at the Sotheby's Geneva auction. Along with the other two top diamonds offered at this auction, the Lesotho I failed to sell.

Wikipedia - Lesotho Brown
Internetstones.com - The Lesotho Brown
National Jeweler - Big diamonds don't sell at Sotheby's

Sandblasted gold and diamond cat pendant - fine jewelry

2008-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Fine jewelry

Gold and diamond cat pendant with 18" chain

10k white gold with 6 small diamonds and an 18 inch white gold chain. Sandblasted finish.

SuperJeweler.com

Gold, diamond, sapphire and citrine cat bangle - fine jewelry

2008-11-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Fine jewelry

Gold, diamond, sapphire and citrine cat bangle

18k white gold, 2.77 total carat weight, and yellow sapphire (4.37 ctw) panthers with 59 carat faceted citrine on this hinged bangle. Tongue and lock clasp.

Jewelry Catalog

Gold and diamond angel pendant - fine jewelry

2008-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Fine jewelry

Gold and diamond angel pendant
with chain

10 karat white and yellow gold angel pendant with an 18 inch gold chain. Features nineteen diamonds of 1/7 carat (total carat wight).

My Jewelry Box — www.myjewelrybox.com

Sterling silver, garnet and rock crystal butterfly pendant - artisan jewelry

2008-11-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Artisan jewelry

Sterling silver, garnet and rock crystal butterfly pendant

Sterling silver (.925) Brazilian rock crystal and 5 brilliant-cut authentic garnets.

From — JeGem.com

Gold and cultured pearl angel pendant - estate jewelry

2008-11-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

2008 winter
Estate jewelry

Gold and cultured pearl angel pendant

From about 1970. 14kt yellow gold angel with a 12mm cultured pearl wing and two 8mm cultured pearl clouds. Pendant measures almost 1" in width and hangs to approximately 1 1/2". Pendant accommodates a 2mm chain.

One of a kind, from Ross-Simons Jewelers

Gold, ruby, jade and cultured pearl frog ring - fine jewelry

2008-11-20T07:56:00.000-08:00

Fine jewelry

Gold, ruby, jade and cultured pearl frog ring

Green jade frog with ruby cabochon eyes on a 10mm cultured freshwater pearl. Set in 14kt yellow gold.

Ross-Simons Jewelers

Sterling silver crystal and obsidian frog ring - artisan jewelry

2008-11-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

Artisan jewelry

Crystal and obsidian sterling silver frog ring

Sterling silver (.925) with 2 faceted Brazilian rock crystals, 2 faceted rainbow obsidian and 2 rainbow obsidian cabochons.

Ring Face Dimension: 0.85 x 0.75 x 0.3 inch

JeGem.com

Gold and diamond frog ring - fine jewelry

2008-11-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Fine jewelry

Gold and diamond frog ring

14 carat white agate with 3 carat (total weight) multicolored diamond frog ring in 14kt white gold. Size 9

Ross-Simons Jewelers

Santa Maria Aquamarine

2008-11-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

Santa Maria Aquamarine

"The bright blue of this noble beryl is making more and more friends. The various colour nuances of aquamarine have melodious names: the rare, intense blue aquamarines from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, which make every gemstone lover's heart beat faster, are called 'Santa Maria'. Similar nuances come from a few gemstone mines in Africa, particularly Mozambique. To help distinguish them from the Brazilian ones, these aquamarines have been given the name 'Santa Maria Africana'. The 'Espirito Santo' colour of aquamarines from the Brazilian state of that name is of a blue that is not quite so intense. Yet other qualities are embodied in the stones from Fortaleza and Marambaia. One beautiful aquamarine colour was named after the Brazilian beauty queen of 1954, and has the name 'Martha Rocha'.

"It can be seen from the names of aquamarine colours just how important Brazil is among the countries where aquamarine is found. Most of the raw crystals for the world market come from the gemstone mines of that large South American country. Every now and then, large aquamarine crystals of immaculate transparency are also found with a magnificent colour, a combination which is very unusual in gemstones. And very occasionally, sensationally large aquamarine crystals come to light in Brazil, such as the crystal of 110.5 Kg found in 1910 in Marambaia/Minas Gerais, or for example the 'Dom Pedro', weighing 26 Kg and cut in Idar-Oberstein in 1992 by the gemstone designer Bernd Munsteiner, the largest aquamarine ever to have been cut. However, aquamarines are also found in other countries, for example Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Pakistan."

ICGA - Gem by Gem - Aquamarine
Jewelry Store - Exotic 14K gold Santa Maria Aquamarine and diamond ring collection

Museum pieces: Darya-ye Noor

2008-11-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Darya-I-Nur Diamond is one of the world's largest rare diamonds. It weighs about 182 carats (36.4 g). Its exact weight is unknown because its been mounted in its brooch setting for over 130 years. It is one of the most rare diamonds due to its pale pink color, in addition to its size. Its Persian name 'Darya-I-Nur' translates into English as the 'Sea of Light'

The Darya-ye Noor presently forms part of the Iranian Crown Jewels and is on display at the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran. In 1739, Nader Shah of Persia invaded India and sacked Delhi; the plunder he garnered from the Mughal treasury included the Darya-i-noor, in addition to the Kohinoor and the Peacock throne. All of these treasures were carried to Persia by Nader Shah and the Darya-i-noor has remained there ever since.

Wikipedia - Darya-ye Noor

Retail jeweler: Superjeweler.com

2008-11-17T15:19:00.001-08:00

Superjeweler.com
www.superjeweler.com - online since July, 1999

Office or return shipping address (not a store):
341 Lafayette #965
New York, NY 10012-2417
Toll free: 877-888-0175
Phone: 917-566-5430
Fax: 917-591-6225

Better Business Bureau search 11-17-2008: During the last 36 months a total of 2 customer complaints were filed with the Better Business Bureau. One of those complaints was resolved to the customer's satisfaction, and Superjeweler.com failed to respond to the cother complaint. (www.bbb.com)

Amazon.com Merchant - Just launched on Amazon.com - Zero ratings as of November 17, 2008

Buy from Superjeweler through Amazon.com and get Amazon's A-to-z Guarantee

Refund policy - November 17, 2008.
(Please verify on Amazon.com Merchant listing at time of purchase.)

SuperJeweler.com is dedicated to ensuring the satisfaction of your jewelry purchase and our services. If for any reason you aren't satisfied with any of our diamond rings, wedding bands, fine gemstone jewelry, and more, you can return it in its original condition for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase.

Retail jeweler: Katrina Jewelry

2008-11-17T10:44:00.000-08:00

Katrina Jewelry Inc.
KJ, Inc.
www.katarina.com - online since July, 2003

Office or return shipping address (not a store):
132 East 43rd Street, #622
New York, NY 10017
Toll free: 888-528-2746
Phone:
Fax:

Better Business Bureau search 11-16-2008: No complaints found. (www.bbb.com)

Amazon.com Merchant - Lifetime rating 99% positive or neutral on a total of 1323 customer feedback responses. (November, 2008)

Buy from Katrina Jewelry through Amazon.com and get Amazon's A-to-z Guarantee

Refund policy - November 16, 2008.
(Please verify on Amazon.com Merchant listing at time of purchase.)

Katarina Jewelry offers FREE RETURN SHIPPING ON ALL RETURNS except for APO, FPO and International Shippments. You have 30 days from the date of recipeit to return any item purchased from Katarina Jewelry. Before returning an item, you must request a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and a "Free UPS Return Label" will be emailed to you (Whereever Applicable) from our Customer Service Department who can be contacted via email

Jewelry Blog

Jewelry chains: Tiger eye link

Jewelry chains: Panther link

Animal designs: Panther jewelry

Book notes: Suzanne Tennenbaum & Janet Zapata

Professional Jeweler Magazine

Wittelsbach blue diamond sells for $24.3 million

White Gold Diamond Cat Pendant

Additions to the cat jewelry catalog collection

Retail Jeweler: Netaya Corporation

Guide to the U.S. Trade in Gold and Silver Jewelry

Gold, diamond, and ruby lion pendant or brooch - estate jewelry

Gold, diamond, and ruby lion pendant or brooch

Gold, diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald lion pendant - estate jewelry

Gold, diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald lion pendant

Lesotho diamonds - Lesotho Brown - 1967

Sandblasted gold and diamond cat pendant - fine jewelry

Gold and diamond cat pendant with 18" chain

Gold, diamond, sapphire and citrine cat bangle - fine jewelry

Gold, diamond, sapphire and citrine cat bangle

Gold and diamond angel pendant - fine jewelry

Gold and diamond angel pendantwith chain

Sterling silver, garnet and rock crystal butterfly pendant - artisan jewelry

Sterling silver, garnet and rock crystal butterfly pendant

Gold and cultured pearl angel pendant - estate jewelry

Gold and cultured pearl angel pendant

Gold, ruby, jade and cultured pearl frog ring - fine jewelry

Gold, ruby, jade and cultured pearl frog ring

Sterling silver crystal and obsidian frog ring - artisan jewelry

Crystal and obsidian sterling silver frog ring

Gold and diamond frog ring - fine jewelry

Gold and diamond frog ring

Santa Maria Aquamarine

Museum pieces: Darya-ye Noor

Retail jeweler: Superjeweler.com

Retail jeweler: Katrina Jewelry

Gold and diamond angel pendant
with chain