Happy Holidays!

Sorry for the delay in writing. I have no good excuse other than things have been happening so fast that I would need a video blog to explain it all. Hey – an idea for next year? I am deep in the throes of doing all of the 500 stones that need to be indentified as part of my GIA Graduate Gemology Degree. I really hope you aren’t sick of hearing about this. I have been totally immersed in the process of this Gem Identification course. It is supposed to be the hardest part of the whole degree. After I identify my 500th stone, I am eligible to sit for the “20 stone exam”. GIA gives you 20 stones to identify and you must get them all right – 100%. It is intense! After this segment of the degree, I have Diamonds to study, then 2 tests and I will officially be a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America! I cannot wait to share with you all I have learned. It has been quite the quest.

Ever since I was 4 or 5 years old I have been going to trade shows in Giftware because of my family’s business at the time. I love going to manufacturing plants, showrooms, industry events of all kinds. Some people like amusement parks, I love going to these types of affairs. It is just in my DNA since my parents were designers and manufacturers with the artisans of India and Bali for so many years. I have been going to gem and mineral shows for the past 20 years. I love the rough stones just as much as the gorgeous jewelry we create for you at HSN.

On one of my trips to study at the NYC branch of GIA, I was lucky enough to go to one of the factories we work with in New Jersey. I had met the owner at the Tuscon Gem Fair last February and he invited me for a tour. I bet he was surprised to see me take him up on the offer six months later! He gave me a thorough tour and walked me through the process of how an idea becomes a piece of jewelry. I knew there were a lot of steps, but my mind was blown. I was there for hours! Just when I thought he was going to wrap up the process, there were more steps!

I took lots of pictures and here is one of rings forms being made. That is also where it gets wild. All those sizes! I know from your comments that you want more size 4. It is one of the hardest ring sizes to make. We do it when we can, but there are so many manufacturing issues associated with a size 4 ring. Tooling, finishing, proportion – all delicate issues. We will keep trying, but because of our strict Quality Assurance requirments, it is a challenge.

Now to answer a few of your questions -

Lynn in NC – to answer your question regarding Kunzite everyday.I wouldn’t wear a cabochon everyday – definitely don’t wear it 24/7. If you have a faceted ring you should be fine for daily wear, but take it off before you go 4-wheeling, gardening, etc!
We have a couple of amazing Victoria Wieck rings in Kunzite – 358-687 and a great buy on sale right now 300-248. Most jewelry stores don’t carry Kunzite. We have a lovely selection. It is a gorgeous choice!

Dora from MS – to answer your question regarding Jay King and the Rainbow Calsilica – I wrote Jay and here is his response:

Okay this is a very strange story. Some say this is actually a product of the oil drilling industry. We have had sections cut from the deposit, with host rock on top and bottom of the vein. The feedback we have gotten from the experts is that it is from a copper push. Where calcites and silicas have been pushed together over time and tremendous pressure which produces all of the different colors of the rainbow. I only know of one deposit of this material, which is in north central Mexico, but I have heard rumors of a similar deposit in Columbia. Because of the region this is mined in, it is not safe to film in the area, but our source has taken photos of the vein and we do have them. Hope all is well Best J

Alice in CA – you wanted to know what color gemstones are complimentary to Tanzanite. I LOVE pink with Tanzanite. Depending on the ring, I like both white and yellow gold with that gorgeous cornflower blue stone. Remember to look at our entire Tanzanite boutique.

Once again, happy holidays – treat yourself well! I wish you all the best now and into the New Year.