For years now my grandmother and I have met every week for a visit: dinner and scrabble. It’s our tradition. I always stop for fried chicken along the way. It’s wonderful.

This week, after a very close game of scrabble, grandmother suggested we look at her “old” jewelry (she knows I love jewelry). She left the kitchen, returning with a small, marvelously embroidered jewelry box. Delicate, the small jewelry box looked like it held little jewelry.

What a surprise! Grandma’s jewelry box overflowed with gems: amethyst jewelry, CZ, peridot and ruby jewelry, sapphire and turquoise jewelry, pearl, garnet and quartz jewelry. I could go on and on.

It was a jewelry treasure trove! A magic pit of jewelry! Blackbeard’s jewelry booty! Every time I thought the jewelry box empty, grandmother lifted another gemstone, another dazzling specimen.

Grandmother had a story for every brooch and necklace, every bracelet, every set of earrings. We retraced her life through that jewelry. It was beautiful.

We spent hours over that jewelry box, talking and laughing. As I was leaving, I kissed my grandmother’s a cheek as I always do. Before I turned around, she grabbed my hand. From behind her back emerged the jewelry box. ‘I want you to have the jewelry box dear, and don’t say no,’ she pushed the jewelry box into my hands, ‘just remember.’

I was weepy all the way home. I’ve put grandma’s story, her jewelry box, on my mantle where I see it everyday…..remembering.

Mother-in-Law Day is October 21st! Click Here for some great gifts and deals!

Turquoise is usually formed in areas with volcanic or thermal history. Most Turquoise is found in volcanic rocks but some is found in granite-like rocks. In order for turquoise to form there must be copper, aluminum, phosphorous, and water. As other minerals such as principally iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and zinc enter the turquoise, creating color and hardness variations. The hardness of turquoise varies significantly from piece to piece. Hardness can range from a little over 2 to nearly 6 on the Mohs scale.

There are many factors which determine the value of a piece of turquoise. The most significant include hardness, luster, color and rarity.

There are many different grades of turquoise, therefore, when you are buying turquoise jewelry, you may find two rings which look very similar buy are drastically different in price. Gem grade turquoise, you will find, is much more expensive (and a much better investment) than low-grade turquoise.

A dense and hard piece of turquoise with a natural luster and color (rather than from polish or tint) carries more value than a softer piece of turquoise, or one that has been unnaturally modified.

Geography also determines the price of any given piece of turquoise. The rare Lander or Lone Mountain turquoise can cost as much as 75 percent more than Chinese or Tibetan turquoise.

Artwork is another consideration. Because turquoise jewelry is so frequently used to create beautiful, one of a kind, intricate pieces of jewelry-art, one might find that a particularly beautiful piece of turquoise jewelry may cost more that a piece of turquoise jewelry which is not as beautiful, but made of a higher grade turquoise.

Whatever turquoise you buy, get what you want! Turquoise makes beautiful and enduring jewelry!

Some months ago I took a trip out to New Mexico to visit a friend of mine. Though we were great friends and sorority sisters through college, we both went our own ways after graduation and never seemed to make it out to see one another. Well last year I promised myself that I would head out to visit her this year and that’s just what I did!

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to drive all the way to New Mexico. Not only had I never taken a road trip of any consequence, I had never even traveled anywhere on my own! I’m sure you can imagine how scary and exciting this was for me: hitting the road, teeny small town gas stations, local greasy spoon diners, and family owned motels. I met many interesting people and saw many wonderful sites along the way. You just wouldn’t believe how many pictures I took! Hundreds! Once I arrived in New Mexico, my friend and I spent four, really great, long awaited days together (with more pictures)!

Now you may not know this, but New Mexico is one source for the most beautiful Turquoise in the world. Even the Aztecs were known to mine for this beautiful blue green stone! Of course, being the lover of gems that I am, I screeched to a dusty stop at the side of the highway when I saw the sign for ‘one of a kind, handmade, turquoise jewelry.’ Turning off the highway onto the narrow, unpaved road decorated here and there with handwritten signs pointing the way to the promised beauties, I was somewhat apprehensive. Was this really handmade jewelry? Was this a waste of time? Was I going to get lost?

Well, after a few minutes, a dilapidated shack appeared just down the road. I almost turned around and drove back to the highway, but in the spirit of my new courageous travels, adventures and experiences, I decided to continue on.

How happy I am that I did! I have never in my life seen such magnificent handmade turquoise jewelry at such a fair price. The family who mined the stone and created this jewelry were some of the nicest people I have ever met, even inviting me to stay for lunch (the food was delicious). They said their family had been working with turquoise for generations. They couldn’t even say if their ancestors had ever done anything different. It was just their way. It was what they did. The craftsmanship was amazing. I even picked up a very large piece of carved turquoise for my mother to set on her display case!

When I finally arrived home, I was delighted to present my friends and family with these beautiful pieces of jewelry: brooches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, even a pair of cuff links for my father. In the end I had a great adventure, filled with gems and memories I will never forget!

We girls do love our gemstone jewelry! 

Gemstone jewelry looks great on!  With all the different colors, types and cuts of gemstone jewelry available, it’s hard to decide what to wear.  Whatever you prefer, your gemstone jewelry is certain to be beautiful.  Gemstone jewelry makes a girl feel good!

These days there’s a lot of gemstone jewelry to choose from.  The good news is gemstone jewelry is inexpensive and easy to find.  Building a collection of gemstone jewelry is fun.  I love my gemstone jewelry (and there’s a lot of it)!  I like to buy gemstone jewelry sets for accessorizing. Before long you too can have lots of gemstone jewelry to enjoy!

Gemstone jewelry has been linked to birthdates for centuries!  Even today we usually count our birthday gemstones as our favorites.  I know I do!  I love to give people gemstone jewelry for their birthdays.  Here’s a list of birthstones in case you like that idea too:

• January: Garnet
• February: Amethyst
• March: Aquamarine
• April: Diamond
• May: Emerald
• June: Pearl and Moonstone
• July: Ruby
• August: Peridot
• September: Sapphire
• October: Opal and Tourmaline
• November: Yellow Topaz and Citrine
• December: Blue Topaz and Turquoise

Whether for yourself or for others, you just can’t go wrong with gemstone jewelry!

-Summer

This December birthstone continually resurfaces as a fashion trend. The bright blue, opaque gem has been worn in jewelry for thousands of years. From the burials of Ancient Egypt to contemporary designer collections, turquoise has a presence unlike any other. Its name is inspired by the story of its passage to Europe from the Mediterranean. Turquoise was brought to Europe by the people known as the Turks.
Turquoise has been known in many cultures to attract money, success and love. Sacred to certain Native American tribes, the stone is often carved into the shape of birds and animals. These carvings have been buried with the dead to offer protection.

Turquoise in History

The use of turquoise in jewelry dates as far back as 5500 BC. Queen Zar, ruler during Egypt’s first dynasty, was buried with the famous four bracelets of turquoise. Her mummified remains, wearing the jewelry, were recovered by archeologists. Writings from explorers, such as Marco Polo, indicate early decorative use of turquoise across the world.

Origins and Presentation

Iran produces the most valuable turquoise today. Other famed sources of the gemstone are Persia and Tibet. However, turquoise also comes from Arizona, California and Nevada.
Turquoise is a relatively soft stone that is often stabilized with resins to enhance durability. Because of its complimenting sky-blue, a bright and cheerful color, this gemstone is always in vogue. Clear and light blue (or robin-egg), shades are the most valuable in turquoise. With green tones, irregularities or spots its value decreases.