diamonds Archives

Go Retro: The Beauty & Benefits of Estate Jewelry

May 15, 2015

By Amanda L. Colborn When it comes to jewelry, more and more people are looking to the past for their present jewelry inspiration. It’s not just about style and fashion, estate jewelry has benefits to both your wallet AND the environment! But first, what is “estate” jewelry? Estate jewelry is, in the simplest of terms, jewelry that has been previously owned by someone else. Is it the same as “antique” jewelry? Yes and no, estate jewelry is not considered an antique until it is at least 100 years old, according to 4cs.gia.edu. So, why would estate jewelry be something for

Shedding Light on a Diamond's Quality

April 17, 2015

By Donna Jolly, RJ Rolls Royce. Hermes. Cartier. Luxury brands that evoke the best of the best, right? When thinking of gemstones, diamonds, like these brands, are on the high-end of the luxury food chain. They are a girl’s best friends. They are the ultimate symbol of status. . . and of love. They are Forever. With something so precious and coveted, it stands to reason then that when you purchase a diamond, it has been thoroughly analyzed before it hits the store so that you understand its level of quality. There are several diamond grading labs that can do this, but

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

Going Gaga for Heart-Shaped Jewelry

February 27, 2015

By Amanda L Colborn In honor of Lady Gaga’s recent engagement (and her heart-stopping diamond ring), we’re celebrating the heart symbol and the heart cut diamond. Did you know that we can trace the heart symbol all the way back to the Ice Age era? It’s true. Cave paintings have been discovered with this symbol that trace back to the Ice Age. Though we do not know what this symbol meant to the cavemen who drew them, we do know that it was important enough for them to often paint it on the inside of their cave walls. The mysterious symbol

Celebrating Cushion Cut

February 20, 2015

By Amanda L. Colborn One of the most popular and consistently trending diamond and gemstone shapes is the cushion cut. Originally referred to as the “old mine cut,” the cushion cut is essentially a square cut with rounded corners, much like a cushion…hence it’s name. Arguably, one of the top most popular cuts today – the round cut diamond being the first – the cushion cut has been around for approximately 200 years. Cushion cuts have evolved over time, refinements have been made since the 1920’s to improve the brilliance and light return of the cut causing a big increase

Why is Valentine's Day the most romantic day of the year?

February 14, 2015

By Amanda L. Colborn Whether you’re single or coupled up, betrothed or still dating — Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year and not just a “Hallmark holiday” as many people say and assume. In actuality, Hallmark didn’t even produce its first Valentine’s Day card until the year 1913 – centuries after the declaration of the holiday in 1537. The origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery. The Catholic church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine. One legend tells of Valentine as a priest who served during third century Rome. Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II by

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

Rings of the Super Bowl – An Evolution

January 31, 2015

By: Amanda L. Colborn This Super Bowl weekend we thought it would be fun to share with you the evolution of championship rings throughout the years. Starting from the very beginning at Super Bowl I, before moving closer and closer to our present Super Bowl in five year increments, we will share with you how the design and grandeur of the ring has evolved throughout this 49-year American tradition. Let’s start off discussing the value of championship rings. The monetary value of a Super Bowl ring is actually subjective. For instance, in May of 2012, former New York Giants player Lawrence Taylor sold his Super

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