Traveling with expensive jewelry doesn’t have to give you anxiety. With the right planning, you can keep your valuables safe, but still enjoy them during vacations, special occasion trips or even business travel. Follow these tips to be prepared and help ensure its safekeeping.
Whether you are searching for a perfect November birthday gift, or just want to treat yourself, either of the two birthstones for this month make a great choice. Not only are they a beautiful amber color (in addition to many other colors), but topaz and citrine are affordable and come with long histories and symbolic meanings.
Topaz, believed to be symbolic of the Egyptian Sun God Ra, has a golden glow and fiery intensity. It is thought to balance emotions and thoughts for a harmonious life. Citrine has equally positive characteristics and was given the title of “the success stone” in earlier times. It encourages vitality and promotes good health. It is even believed to bring hope, peace, strength, prosperity, vitality and energy.
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Cleaning may not be your favorite activity, but you really won’t like these chores if the household cleaners you use harm your jewelry. Many chemicals found in cleaners can damage your gold and silver jewelry, as well as the gemstones they contain.
The chemicals that cause the most damage include bleaches, deep cleaners, detergents and solvents. Also chlorine, which is found in mold and mildew cleaners, and bromine can harm your jewelry.
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Not everyone is thrilled to celebrate their special day during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But there is a benefit to having a birthday during this cold and busy month – the option of choosing from three beautiful birthstones.
These three gemstones are the perfect way to fight off the winter blues. And even more appropriately, they are all lovely shades of blue themselves. If you struggle with buying a thoughtful gift for a December birthday, this provides the perfect present options.
The three birthstone choices range from the oldest on earth (zircon), to one of the first mined and first used in jewelry (turquoise) to one of the most recently discovered (tanzanite).
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Even though they live across the pond, Americans have been obsessed with royal life for years. This still holds true and with all of the recent royal weddings, many brides are looking to the newest duchesses for wedding inspiration. The most recent jewelry trends are coming straight from these fairy tale events.
A rising jewelry trend includes rings like the three-stone engagement ring Prince Harry gave to Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. This style was already becoming more popular on its own, but now has gained huge appeal. Since their engagement, three-stone rings have taken center stage as they symbolize the past, present and future. The middle stone can be the same size as the two outer stones, or it can be larger like Meghan’s cushion cut sparkler.
The royal pair had the ring custom made to hold special meaning to them as a couple. This is another up and coming trend, and many jewelers are seeing more requests for custom-made pieces following the royal engagement and wedding. Many brides-to-be want to combine strong elements of personalization and follow Meghan’s lead. Her outer two diamonds were from Princess Diana’s personal collection and the center stone is from Botswana, a place that holds special meaning to them both.
Read More →If you have an engagement ring and a wedding band ask your jeweler to solder them together. Why? If not soldered, the rings constantly rub against each other, wearing down the metal, explains Amy Helein, Lavalier jewelry insurance expert and GIA Graduate Gemologist.
But that’s not all. Amy says the rubbing can loosen and even chip stones, especially pave-set diamonds.
Getting your rings soldered together is inexpensive, yet pays big dividends in preserving them as a lasting treasure. 
They are soft and warm … who would think they could cause you to lose a stone from your ring?
Amy Helein, Lavalier jewelry insurance expert and GIA Graduate Gemologist, says it’s a fact. “Lavalier’s claim files show that gloves – especially winter gloves – can snag a prong on a ring and pull it loose, resulting in the loss of a diamond or other stone.” she explains. “Even a small tug can loosen the setting.
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Allie, her husband, Matt – a fire fighter – and their two young children fled when California’s Thomas fire threatened their new home. They left with little more than an overnight bag and their son’s beloved teddy bear. They are starting from scratch to rebuild their home and their lives.
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We love getting grading reports so much, we’ll give you a 10% premium discount when you submit a grading report from the American Gem Society (AGS), Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or Gemological Science International (GSI) with your insurance application.
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Proposing marriage is a milestone in your life. You’ll be telling this story to friends and family for years, decades. So, make the proposal memorable. Here are a few decisions you’ll need to make.
Decision 1: Buy the ring in advance or pick it out together?
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