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Your Vote Counts! Help American Gem Society nominated Children's Heart Foundation receive $10k.

October 30, 2013

The American Gem Society has nominated the Children’s Heart Foundation to receive one of ten, $10,000 grants being offered by Jewelers for Children. This local charity has a special place in our hearts, as it has helped the child of one of our own. The Foundation has Four Main Goals: to provide a carefree camp experience for children with heart conditions to educate healthcare professionals and the general public on pediatric cardiology issues to lend support to families as they deal with the emotional and financial toll exacted by a child’s heart problems to support research in the area of pediatric

Staying Current: Updating Your Jewelry Appraisal

October 17, 2013

by Jessica VandenHouten, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company Did you know that your jewelry may not be covered for its current value? Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company offers an option to protect your treasured jewelry with their Perfect Circle® Jewelry Insurance coverage. Given how easily a loss may occur, coupled with the financial expense of replacing the piece, insuring your jewelry for its current retail replacement value is important. Your jewelry is likely worth more now than when it was purchased. With an increased risk of loss and theft during the holidays, now is the time to visit your local AGS jeweler

Rubies and July—a Red Hot Pair

July 23, 2013

Perhaps no color better represents the month of July than red. Whether it’s the bold red in the American flag, spectacular fireworks, juicy cherries, red-hot temperatures. . . and, with that, red hot sunburns—Red is a color fit for July. It’s no surprise then that Ruby is July’s birthstone. Rubies are not only a hot trend on red carpets, but this precious gemstone is both luxurious and practical. Ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum, which is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond. Want to wear a ruby as an engagement ring? Go ahead! It’s durable enough

PERFECT PROPOSAL TOOLKIT OFFERS LAST MINUTE VALENTINE’S PROPOSAL

February 8, 2013

If you are planning on popping the question, this one is for you: If you haven’t heard about our Perfect Proposal Toolkit, check it out. The Toolkit, available through February 15, 2013, offers a quirky collection of tips and suggestions for planning the perfect proposal, as well as a contest to win a trip to Las Vegas. Perfect Proposal WebsiteLocated on the American Gem Society website, the online resource offers consumers fun and unique suggestions for traditional and non-traditional proposals, recipes for romantic dinners, a list of the top mistakes to avoid when proposing, proposal trends, and many more tips

Buying Jewelry for Valentine’s Day?

January 23, 2013

by Cristina Miranda Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Nothing says “Be My Valentine” more than a box of chocolates, flowers, and a poetic love note. Unless it’s a heart-thumping piece of jewelry! If you’re thinking about buying jewelry for your sweetheart, there are a few things to know about platinum, gold and silver, and gemstones, diamonds and pearls. A little knowledge can help you avoid buyers’ remorse. 1. Set expectations. Decide on your budget and the type of jewelry you want to buy before you shop. Avoid impulse purchases. Learn more with our Jewelry Buying Guide. 2. Research jewelry sites and

AGS Announces 2021-22 International Board of Directors

January 14, 2013

The American Gem Society (AGS) is thrilled to announce its International Board of Directors for 2020/2021. Each year at Conclave, the Society’s membership decides who will represent them on the AGS Board of Directors for the upcoming year. Due to the cancellation of Conclave 2020, the membership voted electronically, as outlined in the AGS bylaws. Joining the AGS Board of Directors this year are, Ryan Berg, CG, of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Sarin Bachmann of JCK Events, and Sarah Nanasi Russell, CG, of Nanasi Enterprises, Inc. The 2020/2021 AGS Board of Directors are: Executive Committee President: Michael Richards, CG President-elect:

Why Is a Diamond's Cut Important?

January 3, 2013

Today’s Guest Blogger is Alethea Inns, CG, Director of Diamond Grading for the American Gem Society Laboratories. Alethea’s post today is on a topic she knows very well: a Diamond’s Cut, and how it helps make a diamond even more beautiful. Cut is, without a doubt, the most important of the 4 Cs. The cut of a diamond has the greatest overall influence on the diamond’s beauty. Facets that are correctly placed on the diamond allow it to act like a system of windows and mirrors that return the most light to the eye in the most balanced way. That being

Wedding Rings Around The World

December 17, 2012

By Anna Samsonova, CGA, Ben Bridge Jewelers The name is everything, right? What we now know as the ring finger was known, and still is in some languages, as the “nameless” finger. It may be nameless to some, but it is magical to others according to ancient beliefs in many cultures. People in love today don’t need ancient beliefs to consider it magical though, all they need is a wedding ring on their ring finger. “With this ring I thee wed … This gold and silver I give thee”, at which point you imagine a diamond ring being placed on

Do's & Don'ts of Getting Your Jewelry Repaired

December 4, 2012

True stories from a local jeweler. (Really, they’re true!) Written By Denise Chislett, Registered Jeweler, Underwood Jewelers DO: Trust your jeweler. You will likely need to leave your jewelry with them for a few days since most reputable jewelers have so many jobs they cannot do yours while you wait. If you don’t trust your jeweler….find a NEW jeweler! DO: Know a general value of your jewelry. This is for your protection and your jewelry will not be insured if you don’t give some kind of value in the unlikely event the building burns down or something drastic happens. DO:

Spanish Queen's Bracelet On Auction Block

November 14, 2012

JCK posted an article yesterday about an upcoming Sotheby’s auction that will feature several rare and beautiful pieces of jewelry. A Cartier bracelet made of conch pearl, enamel, and diamonds will be auctioned this month in Geneva. The stunning bracelet once belonged to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, and carries an estimate selling price of $800,000–$1.4 million. David Bennett, the chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East described the piece in a statement as, “One of the greatest jewels designed by Cartier during the 1920s.” Other highlights of the auction include a pair of ruby and

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