Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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Emeralds in Antique Jewelry: Why the Best Green Comes With Flaws
Learn why every fine emerald carries her own inner garden, and why those inclusions are proof of beauty, not a flaw to fear.
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What Is a Cabochon? The Cut With No Facets at All
Find out why some stones shine best without a single facet, and how to judge whether a dome is truly well cut before she comes...
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What Is Moonstone? The Stone With Light Inside
I'll show you why moonstone's floating light bewitched Romans and Scandinavian goldsmiths alike, and how to spot a truly fine stone.
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What Is Mother of Pearl? The Shell Behind the Shimmer
Discover why mother of pearl truly is the pearl's mother, how antique makers carved her into everyday treasures, and how to tell her warmth from...
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Are Sapphires Only Blue? The Full Color Range Explained
Discover how sapphires stretch far beyond blue, from sunny yellows to the rare padparadscha, and learn why the blue stone stole all the fame while...
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Garnet vs Ruby: How to Tell Which Red Stone You Have
I will show you how to read light, wear and setting so you can finally tell your garnet from a true ruby, and understand why...
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Citrine vs Topaz: Why Your "Topaz" Is Probably Citrine
I'll show you why so many inherited 'topaz' rings are really citrine, and the simple weight and wear tricks that help you tell the two...
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Amethyst in Antique Jewelry: The Purple That Was Once Precious
Discover why amethyst once rivaled emeralds in royal courts, how Brazilian discoveries turned rarity into abundance overnight, and what makes an antique stone glow rather...
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Are Opals Bad Luck? The Truth Behind the Superstition
Discover how a Victorian novel and a bit of trade gossip turned opals unfairly unlucky, and why these fiery stones deserve a place in your...
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Birthstones by Month: The Complete Guide
Find out which gem belongs to your birth month, why the Victorians loved them so dearly, and which stones can truly handle being worn every...
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How to Tell if Pearls Are Real: The Tooth Test and What Comes After
Learn how the tooth test really works, why natural and cultured pearls are worlds apart in value, and how to keep an old strand glowing...
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