All photos (C)2022 Aimee Berrent If you live anywhere nearby, run, don’t walk, to the Worcester Art Museum before January 8. That’s where you’ll see an amazing exhibit of their early Egyptian jewelry collection—just in time for the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. The 300 objects on display give you a sense of the genius of these artisans: their materials, the symbolism of the items they created, and the impact of their talent on future generations. It’s fascinating and the jewelry is simply amazing. Best of all, the exhibit is well laid-out, easy to follow…and fun! You r ..read more

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic bubble, we’re socializing more and getting back to our glitz. Here are some new jewelry trends (and the return of some others) that have been seen on the runways and in the showrooms, with help from Who What Wear and Vogue. Long necklaces While we were zooming, everyone focused on above the neck. Now that we’re seeing one another in person, long, luscious chains and pendants are making a comeback. Chunky or slender, gold or silver. If they’re thin, you can layer a variety of them, which adds even more interest. Remember lariat necklaces from a few ye ..read more

Just as kids get organized with back-to-school notebooks and pencil cases, this is a good season to organize and declutter your jewelry. There’s nothing worse than not being able to wear something because it’s tangled, damaged, or in a jewelry box pileup. It’s time to bring order and peace to your favorite baubles. Here are some useful organizing suggestions from Better Homes and Gardens and Architectural Digest: Start by inspecting your jewelry What do you wear vs what’s sat in a drawer or box for years? Time to make “sell,” “give away,” and “donate” piles. And that goes for mismatched earr ..read more

August has three birthstones to choose from: Sardonyx was first, followed by two that I’ve written about before: peridot (1912) and then spinel (2016). With these stones comes a range of colors—from bright lime green to red, pink, grey, black, and even purple! Here’s a snapshot of the luscious gems to celebrate your August birthday. Sardonyx Never heard of it? It’s actually an opaque stone that runs from yellow-red to reddish brown. It forms in layered bands of onyx and sard (a type of chalcedony). You can find it in older cameos or carved stone pieces. Sardonyx cameo Peridot: From earth and ..read more

Imagine you just inherited just a couple of pieces, like grandpa’s gold watch and grandma’s opal earrings, or an entire jewelry box that might—or might not—have some treasures. Or maybe you bought an antique bracelet that you think might be valuable. How do you find what out what they’re worth? Can you get an appraisal for just one or two items? Are there different kinds of appraisals? Here are some of the questions I’m asked:  1. Do you appraise single items or only large collections? Whatever you have—1, 5, 25, or 150 pieces—that’s what I’m here for! Whether you’ve got a one or two pie ..read more

It’s the most expensive colored gemstone, with a hardness second only to a diamond. The ruby birthstone combines rarity with hardness and beauty; high-quality stones are even scarcer than fine diamonds! In ancient India, it was called “ratnaraj,” the “king of precious stones.” They believed rubies symbolized the sun and provided energy and vitality to those who wore it. For an excellent summary of what makes a valuable ruby, check out this GIA article. Ruby facts and history The most desirable ruby color is called “pigeon blood,” a very deep red with a slight tinge of blue; these are usuall ..read more

June is the season for people who’ve achieved great things—dads and grads! Whether it’s for Dad—or that important man in your life—or a college grad beginning their post-school life, here are some jewelry gift ideas (at all price points) to add some glitter to their days. For Father’s Day Shopping for the special man in your life can be challenging…and jewelry that they’d actually wear might take some thought. John Hardy calls them “wearable luxury.” Here’s what the experts suggest: Bracelets: For men’s classics, John Hardy is your go-to designer. Check out his bold box chains. And if gold i ..read more

June actually has several birthstones; we’ve discussed pearls and alexandrite in previous articles. This month I want to spotlight the luminous moonstone gem, both affordable and beautiful. In Hindu mythology, that moonstone was said to be created from moonbeams, which explained the beautiful “moonlight” that shimmers across the stone. It’s affordable, mysterious, and beautiful. Moonstone facts and history Moonstone’s play of light is called “adularescence,” which means that light appears to billow across the stone. It’s a form of feldspar; similar feldspar minerals, like labradorite, also ..read more

Whether you’ve got a Rolex or Apple Watch, proper care will help their bands last longer and protect your investment. Think about it—you wear your watch almost every day, whether you’re working, exercising, traveling, or playing. But when was the last time you cleaned the band from the dirt, oils, sweat, and soap that have accumulated? Men’s Journal has a great primer on how to clean watchbands. So does hodinkee.com. NOTE: If you’re dealing with an expensive and/or vintage watch, always check with your jeweler or an expert first! How often should you clean your watch strap? Every day wear: I ..read more

“That must be the City of Emeralds!” said Dorothy to her companions. The emerald is a symbol of rebirth and nature—perfect for its role as May’s birthstone. This lush, deep green gem represents good fortune, youth, balance, and growth. Along with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, the emerald is one of the four recognized precious stones. Think rubies are the symbols of love? Nope. The Romans believed that the emerald represented Venus, bringer of love and hope. The oldest emeralds are around 2.97 billion years old, but the first known ones were mined in Egypt in about 1500 BC—they were Cleopatr ..read more