Peace Pendants

Dakota Fanning wearing a pendant which is the famous symbol for peace.

But where did this symbol originate?

The dove and the olive branch used to symbolize peace until mid twentieth century when the peace sign as we know it became the world recognized symbol for peace.

It was initially designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement by designer Gerald Holtom, the design was completed on February 21st 1958 for the 4 April march planned by the Direct Action Committee against nuclear war (DAC). The symbol was later adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, then by the Anti-War movement in 1960 and then by the counterculture and finally by our popular culture.

The peace sign flag first became known in the US in 1958 when Albert Bigelow, a pacifist protester, sailed his small boat outfitted with the CDN banner into the vicinity of the nuclear test.

More on the history of the peace sign at wikipedia.org

Why You Should Consider the Mom & Pop Jewelry store!

Consider an independent jeweler before you rush off to the large jewelry retailer promising up to75% off. Independent jewelers are not dead, as some may believe, and the independent jeweler can often provide more to its customers than the large-scale jewelry store.

1. Quality

2. Low prices

3. Personalized service

4. Knowledge from an experienced jeweler on the premise

5. Exclusive jewelry pieces (not mass produced)

The overhead of an independent jeweler is much lower making it easier to offer great savings to their customers without hurting their bottom line. You might find a similar piece at both the independent as well as the large jewelry retailer, but you will surely pay more or less same regardless of their discount as their mark up was exaggerated in the first place. At Jewels Quest, we don't play the high mark-up game. And while you may find great bargains, be assured that the quality of diamonds may not be as good, it's easy to sell at low prices when the diamonds are commercial and of low quality. At family owned and operated jewelry stores such as Jewels Quest fine jewelry, customers also enjoy the benefit of a more relaxed atmosphere, and a more personalized service. An added benefit to shopping at an independent jeweler is that they often have exclusive pieces and also offer services you may not find at the larger jewelry chain store. Not to mention that you have an experienced jeweler right in front of you.

When it comes to special orders, the custom jewelry we design at Jewels Quest will usually be of better quality, and the customer will be more implicated in the process. Another very important aspect of our jewelry store, which sets us apart from others, is that all repairs on jewelry and watches are done on the premises rather than sent out. Customers once again benefit as the savings are passed down to them. Many customers don't want their four carat diamond ring or their Rolex shipped out and back to third parties, knowing that their item is staying in store reassures them.

So if you're in the market for diamond or gold jewelry, or even fashion sterling silver jewelry; consider the mom and pop jewelry store like Jewels Quest. Beyond the fact that you'll be supporting a local small business, you will definitely be benefitting by getting quality, savings and personal service by an experienced jeweler.

Topaz November's Gemstone

Topaz, such a magestic name, also known as the precious Imperial Topaz which is usually fine apricot orange. Birthstone of the month of November, Topaz is a symbol of love and affection. A true Topaz is rarely seen in jewelry stores. What most people know as Topaz is the Quartz Citrine.

Topaz occurs in transparent yellow, yellow brown, orange, orange brown, pinkish brown as well as light red and blue. The latter has increased in popularity lately, blue topaz work best in whote gold settings and the color is a bright blue. Most of these are heat treated and hard to determine from the non treated ones.

You will come accross many gemstones bearing the name Topaz but they are misleading as they are citrine and quartz. The following are some you may have heard:

Smokey Topaz

Spanish Topaz

Rio Topaz

Occidental Topaz

Scottish Topaz

Madeira Topaz...

Overall Topaz is a versatile, hard and brilliant gemstone with a range of colors. The orange Topaz has long been associated with the November gemstone but today you may wish your Topaz in any hue you desire.

October's Beloved Opal

Opal is the stone to give your loved one on your 14th anniversary (see other anniversaries).

For those opal enthusiasts, the World of Opals by Allen W. Eckert is a wonderful anniversary idea to accompany the opal jewelry.

The World of Opals

What determines the price of color gemstones?

As mentioned in a previous post, color plays a major role in the pricing of any gem, but there are many other factors to consider when buying a color stone.

Understanding these factors will help you make a more confident decision when choosing your stone. Here is the list of factors that along with color will determine the value of a color gemstone:

Other factors that affect color stone price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

The Cut of Color Gemstones

The cut is the way a stone was faceted, for instance a cabochon is a stone that has no facets, it is dome shapes with a smooth polish. These are less expensive except when found in antique jewelry when they can be prices higher than usual. There are many different styles of cutting but the quality of the cut is important as well. When a color stone displays even colors all through out, this is a good cut. You can easily determine the quality of the cut of your gemstone by observing it face up. A washed out surface that is flat and looks like a window is not a good cut. Nor is it good if there are too many black areas.

Let's put two stones that are the same size when you look at them from the top, one may be priced higher due to its weight, the deeper cut give a stone a fat and heavy bottom but it is also recommended in color stones for shallow cuts will create that flat window surface reducing its value.

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

GEMSTONES: The Importance of color and symbolism

Color and gemstone have different symbolism depending on one main factor: who is wearing them, man or woman. While strong associations of different gemstones evolved so did the association of color. People should ultimately wear what they are attracted to wear, so to ask what color gemstone is the most valuable is often answered by which ever is the individuals preference.

However, when it comes to pricing, the value will depend in large part on whether a gem is less brown or grey, dull or saturated. Each gemstone has a range of hues and those closer to a pure red, green or blue will be far more valuable. Though not the only determining factor, color will play a major role and very important to evaluate a gemstone.

Today gems are worn for their beauty and aesthetic reasons. But let's, for a moment, turn our attention to color and their personal attributes:

Blue: (Sapphire, aquamarine, lapiz)

When the color blue is worn by men, it symbolizes great thought and wisdom. On women, it represents vigilance and politeness.

Red: (Ruby, garnet)

Men: nobility and high command.

Women: Pride, sexiness, attraction.

Green: (Emerald, tourmaline, peridot)

Men: Transitory hope.

Women: change.

In a way these two meet.

White: (Zircon, diamond, white sapphire)

Men: commitment, friendship, integrity.

Women: Purity and contemplation.

Black: (Onyx, opal, pearl)

Men: strength.

Women: consistency in love, perseverance.

And the list goes on. The above are the most common colors sought after in gemstones, and worn in clothing. In the end, your own fashion statement will come from different factors, the color of the season, which color suits your skin tone and ultimately which color makes you feel good! And the same goes for gemstones.

TRANSPARENCY of color gemstones

Question to ask when dealing with transparency: is the color gem hazy or clear? Is it translucent or opaque? You can yourself determine the answer to these by holding the gem up in the light, the opaque won't let light through. In most cases a higher transparency will make a stone more valuable But in the case of black opal and ruby the contrary is true, an almost opaque ruby for example will sell for more.

Other color stone factors that affect price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

SHAPE of color gemstones

Whether the color gem is pear shape, round, oval or trillion, this will not have a greater impact on price than color, clarity or transparency would. The value of a gem's shape will be more a matter of demand. If round is the trendy shape of the season and higher in demand then a high quality round shape color gem will cost more than an thee high quality marquis shape.

Other color stone factors that affect price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

CLARITY of color gemstones

Clarity is the degree of blemishes and inclusions found in a stone. Obviously the fewer flaws, the higher the price. We give more importance to clarity in diamonds than in color stones as flaws in color stones are welcomed signs that the color stone is natural.

Other color stone factors that affect price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

TREATMENT of color gemstones

A stone will undergo several processes: cleaning, cutting, polishing and then most will also be treated in some way by man. They will be dyed, cavity filled and heat treated which is the more accepted treatment. A high quality untreated stone will be more valuable than a treated one unless the untreated gem is of low quality. You can easily assume that most emeralds for sale are treated because most have tiny fractures and need cavity filling. Find out more about heat treatment.

Other color stone factors that affect price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin

ORIGIN of color gemstones

The origin of a color gemstone will play the least role in price. However in some cases it will make it more valuable such as a Sapphire from Kashmir, as it is rare and has exceptional color. Tanzanite are found in one location making them high priced as well. Ruby and Emerald may also be considered more valuable depending their origin. In most cases origin will not matter.

Other color stone factors that affect price:

• Transparency

• Clarity

• Shape

• Cut (the style and quality)

• Carat weight

• Treatment (is it treated or untreated)

• Origin