Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Celebrate August birthdays with Peridot! Peridot has been prized since antiquity for its beautiful, clear, pale green hue. Peridot was a favorite stone of Cleopatra, and peridot crystals have been found on some meteorites - truly an out-of-this-world gem! Celebrate an August birthday with this peridot and diamond white gold pendant. A simple white gold setting, accented with a diamond, accents the stone and allows its timeless, long-cherished color to shine forth. A wonderful gift for only $150!

Celebrate Leo birthdays with this dazzling diamond and white gold pendant. The traditional Leo zodiac glyph is rendered in white gold and studded with dazzling diamonds. Leos, like the lions the signs is named for, are considered to be proud and attractive leaders with a strong appreciation for luxury and fine things. The glamor-loving Leo on your shopping list is sure to love this regal pendant. Give it today for just $195!

Sapphires and rubies are formed at great depth in the earth’s mantle or the lowest part of the crust. Although blue is considered the normal color for sapphires, they can be found across a full range of spectral colors as well as brown, colorless, grey and black. Those other than blue in color are considered fancy color sapphires. Some natural sapphires can be found as completely transparent, or “white.” White sapphires usually come out of the ground as light grey or brown and are then heated to make them clear. However, in very rare circumstances they will be found in a clear state.

This 5/8 Carat Sapphire, Black and White Diamond 14K White Gold Ring glistens with the vivid deep glow of sapphires, dazzle of traditional diamonds and the deep beauty of black diamonds that get their color from a special enhancement process. Precious gems make up this wonderful masterpiece.

If you’re a regular reader, you already know that July’s birthstone is the ruby. The ruby is also the traditional gift for your 40th wedding anniversary.

If you’re celebrating a July birthday or a 40th anniversary a wonderful way to show how much you care would be with a gift of this 5/8 Carat Ruby and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring for just $195. This simply elegant ring features deep red rubies and diamonds channel set in a delicate white gold setting.

Opal is a mineraloid gel which is deposited at relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, and basalt. The water content is usually between three and ten percent, but can be as high as 20%. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, shore, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare and dear, whereas white and greens are the most common.

The opal is the official gemstone of South Australia, The Commonwealth of Australia and Nevada.

Opal is the traditional birthstone of the month of October.

Opals are said to contain the beauty and sparkle of all the other gemstones combined. The fiery, lustrous opals in these luxurious 2 5/8 Carat Opal and 1/3 Carat Diamond 14K White Gold Heart Earrings are beautifully complemented by halos of dazzling diamonds set in a heart themed design of gleaming white gold.

The stone’s name derives (via Latin and French) from Greek molochitis, “mallow-green stone”, from molochē, variant of malachē, “mallow”. Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. The pigment is moderately lightfast, very sensitive to acids and varying in color. It is also used for decorative purposes, such as in the Malachite Room in the Hermitage, which features a large malachite vase. “The Tazza”, one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America and a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, stands as the focal point in the center of the room of Linda Hall Library.

If you love the unique look of malachite, you should check out this Sterling Silver Watch with Malachite by designer Julie Leah. This elegant watch features an oval Mother of Pearl face, beautiful Cabochon Malachite, Silver Hands and Hour Markers, a Sterling Silver Case, Crown and Bracelet with a Stainless Steel Caseback.

Lapis lazuli (sometimes abbreviated to lapis) is a semi-precious stone prized since antiquity for its intense blue color. Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for 6,500 years, and trade in the stone is ancient enough for lapis jewelry to have been found at Predynastic Egyptian sites, and lapis beads at neolithic burials in the Caucasus mountains, and even as far from Afghanistan as Mauritania.

Add the beauty of lapis lazuli this Sterling Silver Lapis Necklace. Vividly blue, lapis has been prized for thousands of years as a symbol of royalty. In this lovely bracelet, smooth polished beads of brilliant azure lapis shine from an elegant setting of gleaming sterling silver. A beautiful signature piece!

Celebrate in July with its birthstone: the ruby. Believed to be the symbol of fire and passion, rubies are known as the “lord of the gems” because of their rarity and beauty. Rubies go particularly well with with fashion wardrobes featuring greys and wine colors.

For a little fun this HOT July, you can get her these festive 2 Carat Ruby, Green Garnet and Diamond 14K White Gold Chili Pepper Earrings! These colorful Chili Pepper earrings are a symbol of good luck and are simply delightful. This prong backed pair is crafted from 14k white gold and studded with rubies, green garnets and diamonds.

Jade was a rare and valued material in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The only source from which the various indigenous cultures, such as the Olmec and Maya, for example, could obtain jade was located in the Motagua River valley in Guatemala. Jade was largely an elite good, and was usually carved in a variety ways, whether serving as a medium upon which hieroglyphs were inscribed, or shaped into symbolic figurines. Generally, the material was highly symbolic, and it was often employed in the performance of ideological practices and rituals.

Today, Guatemala produces jadeite in a variety of colours, ranging from soft translucent lilac, blue, green, yellow, and black. It is also the source of new colours, including “rainbow jade” and the unique “Galactic Gold,” a black jadeite with natural incrustations of gold, silver and platinum.

This 14K Yellow Gold Jade Elephant Pendant and chain for just $60 is a wonderful way to add jade to your jewelry wardrobe. Crafted from pale green jade and 14k yellow gold, this elephant pendant is meant to bring luck and good fortune to its bearer. Suspended from a delicate yellow gold chain, this lovely jewel is symbolic of beauty and goodness.

Emeralds come in many shades of green and bluish green. There is a wide spectrum of clarity, dependent on the inclusions and fractures in the crystal. Clear stones with dark yet vibrant color command the highest prices. Almost all emeralds contain numerous flaws, cracks, and inclusions, which can negatively affect the clarity. These are given the name “jardin”, from the French word for garden. The value of an emerald depends on cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May, as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus , Cancer and sometimes Gemini. One of the more quaint anecdotes on emeralds was by the 16th century historian Brantome, who referred to the many impressive emeralds the Spanish under Cortez had brought back to Europe from Latin America. On one of Cortez most famous emeralds he had the text engraved Inter Natos Mulierum non sur-rexit mayor (Among them borne of woman there hath not arisen a greater Man. XI, 11) which referred to John the Baptist. Brantome considered engraving such a beautiful and simple product of nature sacrilegious and considered this act the cause for Cortez’ loss of an extremely precious pearl and even for the death of King Charles IX who died soon after.

If you’re in the market for beautiful emerald jewelry, you must check out this 3/8 Carat Emerald and Diamond 14K White Gold Pendant and chain for just $195. A vivid green emerald gives this glorious pendant a dash of dramatic color. Opulent and very elegant, a dangle design is rendered in gleaming white gold and enlivened with round, dazzling diamonds.

Continuing with our series on gemstone facts, I’d like to share some interesting tidbits on aquamarine. Aquamarine (along with bloodstone) is the birthstone associated with March. It is also the gemstone for the 19th Anniversary. People in the Middle Ages thought that aquamarine could magically overcome the effects of poison. Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would ensure a safe voyage, and guarantee a safe return; they often slept with the stones under their pillow to ensure sound sleep. They believed the siren’s (mermaid) fish-like lower body was made of aquamarine.

If you love aquamarine as I do, you’ll fall for this 7/8 carat 14K white gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring. Make a dramatic statement with the cool tones on display in this delicate ring. A single emerald-cut icy-blue aquamarine is prong set in a classical white gold setting and accented with sparkling diamonds.

Celebrate Cancer birthdays with this gorgeous zodiac pendant. The traditional Cancer glyph is rendered in white gold with a glittering diamond accent. The perfect gift for a Cancer birthday, at a perfect price: only $150!

Shopping for another birthday? Check out the whole range of diamond zodiac pendants.

While rubies are today considered the primary July birthstone, they once shared this honor with onyx. Onyx comes in a range of colors, but is most celebrated for the pure, inky black variety. You can give this beautiful stone this July in these elegant onyx and white gold earrings. Three marquise-cut pieces of onyx in graduated sizes hang in simple white gold settings from a secure clasp. This is a wonderfully dramatic piece and an excellent gift - and affordable at only $115!

July’s birthstone is the ruby. You may be surprised to know that a ruby is made of the same mineral as a sapphire: red or pink examples of this mineral, called corundum, are rubies; all other colors are sapphires. If you’re shopping for a July birthday, consider this beautiful ruby and diamond gold pendant. Three vibrant red rubies are separated by diamonds and set in a regal 14-karat gold setting. This piece also comes with its own chain. This is a wonderful gift for any woman in your life, and a great buy at only $195!

Like a garden full of summer flowers, this 2 1/2 Carat Multi Gemstone Sterling Silver Journey Pendant and matching chain is simply stunning. This festive pendant has an enchanting array of bright colored gemstones. Set in lustrous sterling silver, this charming piece is perfect for warm summer weather and can be worn day or evening. It’s the perfect piece of jewelry to take on vacation because it will match just about anything! At just $50 it’s easy on any budget.

I think that I have found the most versatile piece of jewelry ever created. This 10 3/4 Carat Multi-Gemstone Sterling Silver Necklace will work with any outfit! It’s available at the bargain basement price of just $165 for a heap of gemstones. There is citrine, peridot, amethyst, sky blue topaz, and garnet in this beautiful and unique necklace. It’s perfect for summer because it’s practically an enchanting garden of bright colored gemstones. Designed in sterling silver, this charming piece is perfect for warm summer weather and can be worn day or evening.

Celebrate Gemini birthdays with this beautiful fourteen karat white gold and diamond pendant. The traditional Gemini zodiac glyph is delicately rendered in white gold with a dazzling diamond accent. According to astrologers, people born under the sign of Gemini are witty, experimental, and enthusiastic. Make your special Gemini’s birthday really shine with this pendant for only $150!

Celebrate Taurus birthdays with this beautiful white gold and diamond zodiac pendant! The traditional Taurus symbol is crafted in fourteen-karat white gold, highlighted with a dazzling diamond in the top center. According to astrologers, folks born under Taurus are strong, hard-working, trustworthy and good-humored. Add “stylish” to this list of great qualities with this pendant - you can give it to the Taurus in your life for just $150!

Like the pendant, but it’s the wrong sign? Browse the whole zodiac in the Serenity and Enchantment zodiac jewelry collections!

While emeralds are the most usual May birthstone today, traditionally emeralds have shared the honor with agates. Agates are a family of fine-grained quartz stones that come in a wide and magnificent range of colors and patterns. In myth, agate is considered a powerful protection against illness, and against venomous animals such as snakes and scorpions. Fortunately, both for the ancients and jewelry lovers today, it is also a beautiful and versatile stone from which beautiful jewelry has been crafted for millenia. Protect your loved one from a boring jewelry collection with this fancy-cut blue agate and diamond yellow gold pendant. A three-centimeter-long blue agate is set into an elegant, unusual white gold setting, accented with three twinkling diamonds. Give her this gorgeous pendant today for just $125.

May’s birthstone is emerald! These beautiful stones can occur in nearly every shade of green, and come from exotic places like Colombia, Brazil, India and Madagascar. It should come as no surprise that emeralds have been prized for their beauty since antiquity, and are even mentioned in the Bible. Celebrate your sweetheart’s May birthday with this beautiful diamond and pear-cut emerald white gold pendant. Jewelry fans are fortunate that emeralds look great cut a number of different ways, and the gorgeous gleam of the glamorous pear-cut emerald in this pendant is highlighted by three sparkling diamonds. Give it today for just $195!