The world of colored gemstones!

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Each month we’ll take you somewhere new inspired by color, pieces and areas that I think will be fun for you!

This month we’re talking about creating your own pieces. I have chosen an Emerald and a Ruby from my own collection.

What do you see when you look at these beautiful colored gems?

Jewelry is personal! Use your imagination. What do you envision? I can create anything you wish with these colored stones. We have shared some sketches to capture the imagination.

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Emerald Cut Emerald

In the rectangular emerald, I see a horizontal pendant with a delicate gold chain. I also see it burnished vertically into a wide gold band.

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Pear Cut Rubies

In the pear-shaped rubies, I see drop earrings in yellow gold topped by a small diamond Earrings today come in all shapes and sizes and are really a matter of personal taste..

Do you have gems of your own that we could transform together?

What you should know about jewelry maintenance and storage...


Be careful with emeralds. Do not store them in a hot location because they will dry out and change appearance. The majority of emeralds are oiled to enhance their look. Most emeralds naturally have internal inclusions and tiny fissures that reach to the surface of the stone.

Fracture filling emeralds (injecting oil) through the fissures that reach the surface is a common practice that is well-known in the jewelry industry. Usually cedar oil is used. This is a process that goes back to ancient times in Egypt. Storing them properly is the key to maintaining their beauty.

Occasionally it might be necessary to have emeralds re-oiled. Also, emeralds are a delicate gemstone. Do not throw them into a jewelry box with other pieces because they can easily break or get chipped.

Close the clasp on necklaces/chains/pendants when putting them away - to keep them from knotting. Another trick to keep them from knotting is to place most of the clasped pendant inside a little ziplock bag with only a bit of the chain hanging outside the ziplock.

Store earring mates together so you don't have to go looking for the mate when you want to wear them. With studs, slip the post of one through the back of the other before securing the earring back. With hoops, hook one into the other. You can also use little ziplock bags and store each pair in the little ziplock.

It's best if you have an appropriate jewelry box that has hooks for hanging pendants or necklaces and separate little compartments for bracelets, earrings or rings. Be aware that throwing all of your jewelry pieces together in a heap might scratch delicate or neighboring pieces.

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Legend & Lore:

The Emerald was said to be Cleopatra's favorite stone. When visiting monarchs left Egypt, Cleopatra would present them with an Emerald etched with her own likeness as a departing gift. The lost mines of Cleopatra were rediscovered in 1817, although the supply of the precious stone was long exhausted.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the Emerald possessed the power to treat eye diseases, and that the green color gave it power of fertility and rebirth.

Call me, text me, or email me to discuss: 

  • a gift you are interested in purchasing from the Fabio Angri Collection or from the G.B. Clark Collection

  • a gift you are interested in purchasing for a special occasion

  • or to simply ask for ideas and guidance on jewelry. 

Philippa KellyComment