AGS Archives

Celebrating May Birthdays with Emeralds

May 1, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn As the birthstone for May, the emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. According to Almanac.com, “The emerald, was one of Cleopatra’s favorite gems. It has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. Ancient Romans went so far as to dedicate this stone to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Today, it is thought that emeralds signify wisdom, growth, and patience.” Emerald, derived from the word smaragdus, meaning “green” in Greek, was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Today, most of the world’s emeralds

6 Tips for Traveling with Jewelry

April 10, 2015

By Kelsey McElrath, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company No one wants to worry about having precious jewelry stolen, damaged, lost or go mysteriously missing while traveling. Nothing could ruin a vacation more – especially if the jewelry is unable to be replaced. We want you to enjoy your getaway, worry-free! Read on and get ready to travel with these tips from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. Travel to see, not be seen. If you’re wearing a valuable ring with a large gemstone or diamond, consider turning it over so it looks like a wedding band drawing less attention to you. Or wear your

Happy Birthday April! It's your time to shine!

April 2, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn At the American Gem Society and especially in AGS Laboratories, we look forward to April all year long! With the diamond being April’s birthstone, it’s yet another opportunity to celebrate our favorite things: bright, shiny diamonds! Don’t get us wrong, all other months and their birthstones are just as special! However, being part of an organization that offers you the highest quality diamond grading reports…we do have a special soft spot for diamonds. History of the Diamond as the April Birthstone Diamonds are a thing of beauty and the ultimate gift for a loved one. Thought to

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Spring Cleaning Your Jewelry

March 20, 2015

By Kelsey McElrath, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company Does spring give you a sudden urge to clean everything – including your jewelry? Before you reach for the toothpaste or chemical-laden jewelry cleaner, check out Jewelers Mutual Group’s do’s and don’ts to make sure your DIY cleaning isn’t causing potential risk to your treasured jewelry pieces. DO read the labels on jewelry cleaning supplies. Some chemicals in jewelry cleaner can be damaging to certain metals and gemstones. DO use warm water, mild dish soap and a soft bristle toothbrush to get in hard-to-reach areas. DO visit your jeweler at least once a year

Jewelry and the Colors of Spring!

March 13, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn We’re finally reaching the threshold of spring! (Seriously…it really took its sweet time getting here.) And in celebration of spring, we wanted to share with you the latest style and color trends of the season, so when you hit the beach — you’ll be the hottest one there! Pantone recently released their Spring 2015 color scheme. The Spring 2015 palette includes ten colors for the season in varying shades and hues. Pantone says, “This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights,

March birthstone: Aquamarine

March 6, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn Aquamarine The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. The serene color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. Its pale, cool color beautifully complements spring and summer wardrobes. Aquamarine is most often light in tone and ranges from greenish blue to blue-green; the color usually is more intense in larger stones. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia,

The AGS Perfect Proposal Toolkit! Everything you need this Valentine's Day

February 6, 2015

By: Amanda L. Colborn Ahhh…..Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. Everyone is getting excited. Excited about spending time with their loved one. The dates. The surprises. The perfect time to propose! Maybe you’re on the opposite end, you’re the one trying to plan the proposal. But where do you even start? There are so many things to consider! When is the right moment? Where should I propose? Do I want other people around me or just the two of us? And of course, what will the answer be?! You can rest assured, The American Gem Society is here to make

Finding Your Jeweler

January 2, 2015

By Alethea Inns, CG As a jewelry industry professional, I am often asked where to find a jeweler, how to find one that is trustworthy, or where to get professional appraisals. My answer is always the same. Find an American Gem Society credentialed jeweler or appraiser, and you are guaranteed a jewelry industry professional committed to your best interests. AGS credentialed jewelers are pledged to consumer protection, business ethics, and continued education. Jewelry stores that are AGS members are admitted to the Society after going through a series of approvals by an anonymous panel of fellow industry professionals, and their

Pantone announces the 2015 Color of the Year!

December 5, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn You’ve likely heard that Pantone has released their Color of the Year for 2015, a warm and spicy shade called “Marsala!” Upon its release, the team at AGS noticed something very familiar about this shade…it perfectly matches the red garnet gemstone! Because the colors match so perfectly, we wanted to show you some jewelry options that would pair perfectly with Pantone’s Marsala. First is a gorgeous red garnet and 14 karat yellow gold ring from Parlé Jewelry Designs. This ring features a stunning, oval-cut center stone, surrounded by yellow gold and diamonds. Next, also from Parlé Jewelry Designs,

Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise – Oh my!

December 4, 2014

By Amanda L. Colborn Happy birthday December! We’re thrilled to feature three beautiful birthstones and talk a little bit about just what makes them so special. Tanzanite Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices. As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as

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