Amethyst is a popular gemstone and has been for many, many years. Ranging from light lilac tones to deep royal purples, amethyst is available in a wide range of prices and qualities. Even though relatively common and affordable, amethyst is used in fine jewelry, and worn by nobility.  

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." -- Judy Garland

Galalith is the name of a plastic developed in Germany in the late 19th century.Galalith, made from casein, a milk-based protein gets it trade name ‘milk stone’ from the Greeks - gala for milk and logos for stones. Galalith started as a failed attempt to produce a plastic material specifically for “whiteboards,” intended to replace blackboards in the German classroom.

The Victorian Era encompasses 64 years; from 1837 to 1901, the same period as the reign of Queen Victoria from which it takes its name. The period sees many changes in the world along with a broad mix of design styles, which makes it difficult to summarize. The Victorian Era takes it name from Queen Victoria who “by the Grace of God is Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, defender of the faith, and Empress of India”, the longest reigning English monarch.

   By Tammy Powley  

Enamel is the hard vitreous substance (composed of glass and inorganic pigments used to produce color) fused to a metal jewelry object through the use of heat, and enameling is the technique by which the substance is applied. The object is heated until the glass begins to soften and flow. Enamels come in a variety of forms including: powdered enamels (most commonly used), painting enamels, watercolor and acrylic enamels, and other interesting forms.

How we love to hate pricing our work. Whenever the subject of pricing comes up, what you usually hear is a collective moan from the jewelry artisan group. But we must get past the self-created agony and be pragmatic; we must transition from creator to businessperson and price our work objectively.

Overheard recently at an antique market:
Shopper A: "Wow! Was that rhodium brooch really just $50? I thought your jeweler said rhodium was really expensive! Could that dealer be right?"
Shopper B: "It's either a great buy, or that seller is really confused. I think I'll pass."

The warm and fiery glow of the traditional Garnet makes it a perfect birthstone for the wintry month of January. But if red is not your color, don’t worry: Garnet comes in a wide variety of colors. You will find this stone in antique, vintage, and contemporary jewelry pieces, in a wide variety of forms and fashions.

Originally, rhinestone referred to rock crystal, the clear variety of quartz, obtained from the Rhine River. According to some sources, in the late 18th century, an Alsatian jeweler, George Frederic Strass, developed a method of coating the pavilions of the stones with a metallic powder, which made them more reflective and brilliant, and a better imitation of diamond. Other accounts credit Strass (or Stras) with the introduction of a lead glass for use in jewelry.