The 5 Essentail Pieces of Jewelry Every Woman Should Own...

Whether you are waiting for someone special to present you with the perfect gift, or feel like treating yourself, these are 5 essential pieces every lady should have in her jewelry wardrobe!

1.)  Diamond Stud Earrings

Simply put, every woman should have a pair of diamond stud earrings because they go with everything, and can be worn with absolutely anything!  (or nothing;)  Whether headed to yoga or a black tie event, throwing on some studs elevates any outfit and requires almost no thought.  Another benefit?!  No matter what other jewelry you have on, they go perfectly!  It just doesn't get any easier, or more classic, then a pair of diamond studs.





2.)  A Diamond Pendant Necklace

A Diamond Pendant is the equivalent of diamond studs, you can wear it all the time and everywhere you go!  I used a picture of a solitaire style pendant, but it certainly doesn't have to be!  I have a few pieces that I like to rotate, a classic diamond heart that my Grandfather presented to my Grandmother many years ago, and a tiny diamond shoe... because next to jewelry I LOVE ME SOME SHOES!  Religious symbols are always in style and a great choice too.  Whatever it is, the more personal to the wearer the better!

3.)  The Pearl Necklace

 

All one has to do is to look at the characters of #Sex and The City for inspiration.  Oh the versatility of pearls, is there anything more feminine and lovely?!  I firmly believe there is a pearl for every girl and that a girl can never have too many pearls!  There is your classic white cultured akoya strand, most popular in 16 or 18inch.  I love an opera length (32inch) for the versatility of being able to wear it long or doubled.  For a lesser expensive option, Cultured Chinese Freshwater Pearls are a great alternative.  For those with larger pocket books, Black Tahitian, White and Golden South Sea, make excellent statement pieces that can easily go from day to night.  Because Pearls come in so many colors, hues, varieties and even shapes, they can nearly be customized to the wearer, depending on their skin tone and personal preference.  Pearls are a vast and interesting subject, definitely the subject of other blog posts, but send in any questions you have! 

4.)  A Fantastic Timepiece

Just like there is a pearl for every girl, every lady should have a fabulous timepiece.  Although there are many stylish and well made in-expensive watches on the market, why not invest in a fine timepiece that will withstand the test of time?  (Pun intended!)  I really like the #Tag_Heuer Ladies Formula One shown above.  The stainless steel and black ceramic with diamonds version  is sporty, versatile and durable enough for everyday wear, but elegant enough for evenings.  Hopefully I can add it to my collection soon!

5.)  A fabulous Cocktail Ring

Why?  Because they are FUN... just look at these beauties!  When heading out on the town, whether it be #Chicago, another fabulous city or Anytown, USA, there is nothing better then throwing on a cocktail ring and some amazing shoes before heading out the door!  This is where we can really express ourselves and our personal style... wear it on the ring finger, index or middle, and you're sure to grab some attention! 

#Rings and cuff style bracelets courtesy of Geneva Seal Jewelers


What is your essential piece of Jewelry?

Happy Summer!  ~Lisa

Let's talk about Cut; the MOST important of The 4 C's!

Lisa here, sorry it's been a while!  What can I say, Summer has finally arrived in the windy city, I've completed my second boot camp of the year, and there is still only 24 hours in a day?!  That being said, I've missed my writing adventure, so let us get right down to it, shall we?

I was recently interviewed by My boss's lovely 15 year old daughter Isabel, for a geometry paper regarding the cutting of a diamond.  She could not have picked a more difficult and expansive subject!  People have been studying diamond cutting for as long as the gems have been prized for their beauty!

Cut not only refers to the shape of the diamond but more specifically how well it is cut from the rough.  When diamonds come out of the ground, they have no inherent beauty, it is up to the diamond cutter to unlock there beauty!  Based on the size, shape and where the inclusions are located in the stone, the cutter will decide the best way to cut the stone while maximizing the diamond's weight.  Makes sense, right?

There are two basic cutting styles for a diamond... Brilliant Cut and Step Cut.  A brilliant cut refers to facets radiating out from a center point, i.e. round brilliant cut, princess cut, oval, pear, cushion, radiant etc.  A step cut refers to a faceting style where the facets are cut into concentric rows like in an emerald cut or asscher.  With me so far?

No matter what shape or style of cut, light should enter the stone and then be returned to the eye in the form of fire, sparkle and brilliance! 

What is fire?

Fire is the breaking up of white light into the spectral colors of the rainbow.

What is sparkle or scintillation?

The sparkle of a diamond is know as scintillation, which is the play of light and dark flashes as a diamond is moved around.  This is very personal, and helps explain why a person might like the way one diamond "sparkles" over another.

What is Brilliane?

Brilliance is the combination of both fire and scintillation.

If a diamond is improperly cut, there will be light seepage out of the pavillion, or bottom, yielding a less brilliant stone.

Generally speaking any shape brilliant cut is going to sparkle the most, with round brilliant leading the pack.  The shape and general proportions of a round brilliant cut diamond are the most optimal for maximum brilliance!  Step cut diamonds, although brilliant, produce more of a "flash" like sparkle due to their facets of concentric rows.  Shape and cutting style are very much a matter of personal preference, the important thing to remember is to choose a well cut stone! 

As a GIA Graduate Gemologist it is my job to help my clients navigate The 4 C's and choose the most well cut and beautiful diamond of their dreams!!!

Diamond cutting is a VERY complex subject, and I've kept this post quite simple.  Please send any and all questions, as it will help me determine which direction and additional information I should expand on.

By the way, Isabel got an A on her paper!

Happy Summer!!!  ~Lisa