AMETHYST HISTORY

Amethyst, the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also was said to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Throughout history, the gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. Amethyst jewelry has been found and dated as early as 2000 BC.

It has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Some historical accounts say that Saint Valentine had an amethyst ring carved with an image of Cupid. And for those familiar with Old Testament history, amethyst was one of the twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

For many years, amethyst was held to be one of the most precious gemstones, often favored by royalty or exclusively by the clergy as a symbol for the diety of Christ. It was even held for many years in the same regard as the diamond. It wasn’t until the discovery of more abundant supplies of amethyst that it became a gemstone enjoyed by more than just the wealthiest buyers.

Many wearers of amethyst throughout history and even today prize the gem for its symbolism as well as its beauty. Leonard da Vinci once said that amethyst helps to quicken intelligence and get rid of evil thoughts. Other qualities like peace, stability, courage and strength are said to be derived from this gemstone.

Today, many wearers simply prize the amethyst for its beautiful shade and the way it complements both warm and cool colors.
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The article above can be found on Ross Simons.com.

One of the Hotest Trends of 2017 in jewelry and fashion is lightweight minimalistic "A lighter way of living.”

Lightness can be either lighter color palette or in terms of weight (or lack thereof).....will come to the fore front this year as one way to embrace the new minimalism.

What does that means for jewelry and watch lovers?

Really it’s shows that there’s a whole new design language not just about minimalism, but beyond minimalism. I'm seeing it in home decorating , jewelry and In fashion, it’s more about being lighter and consuming less.

Our culture’s embrace of minimalastic lifestyle seemed to have began with the change in the economy in 2008, partly because our desire to be discreet and the need to spend less and save more. We fast forward to 2017 and there’s a new philosophy that has emerged, which is very much about trying to buy less, but better and live in a more minimalistic way.

Adopting a minimalist look when you dress can look chic, slick and clean, but it isn’t as simple as many people think it is. Minimalist fashion isn’t about just wearing things that are basic and plain......that doesn’t create a minimalist aesthetic, but rather a simple, boring look that doesn’t seem to have had much thought put into it. Minimalist chic is about letting simple lines and color speak for themselves. Accessories are also a part of minimalist dressing, and things like belts, watches, sunglasses and YES JEWELRY, have a place when they are chosen in a minimalist style and worn in a way that doesn’t make the outfit busy or complicated.

Here are some tips for wearing jewelry when I am aiming for a minimalist look .

STICK TO SIMPLE STAMENT PIECES......

A beautiful way to add minimalist style with jewelry is to wear simple statement pieces that compliment you and your outfits without being ornate. If you are looking for a ring that will go with your sharpest work outfits and your most chic little black dresses, then a simple pearl in silver or white gold can give you that completed minimalist look without compromising the clean, sharp effect you are going for.

TRY WEARING JUST ONE STATEMENT PEICE.........
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Jewelry is there to pull together your overall look, take a sleek minimalist outfit from dull to chic. Wearing too many matching pieces draw attention to too many parts of your outfit at once, it ruins the clean effect and makes the look complicated. This is fine if you are looking for a relaxed, funky style, but really doesn’t work for minimalist. For each outfit choose just one piece of statement jewelry. If you wear a watch, then this will count as your one piece in most cases. This is your statement for that outfit, and so don’t wear any other jewelry or keep what you do wear very discrete, like simple stud earrings.

AVOID CLASHES......

To aviod any of your minimalist lines being clashed by the addition of jewelry, If you are wearing a simple top with a design on the front or a print, then don’t wear a necklace. If you have a blouse that has fringe or lace at your wrist, think how will it look if you are also wearing a bracelet.

Wearing jewelry can really compliment minimalist clothing, but you have to take care to keep what you wear in the same style as your outfit.

As someone who admires, yet struggled with starting my journey to live with only the things I love ❤️...... I'm struck by predictions how an obsession with living a minimalistic life will impact consumer behavior in 2017.

So I ask ........what do you consider to be your luxury? Whether it is, traveling or an emotional contact with others or choosing to surrond yourself with fewer , but higher quality possessions that will stand the test of time......One thing is evident the new generation of luxury consumers are more interested in being cerebral, not about looking to show off...

All of the jewelry shown above is available for purchase ... Contact me for any questions.

The Sidney Thomas Diamond Guide
Throughout history the diamond has dazzled men and women alike more than any other gemstone. Kings and queens wore diamond crowns, and knights decorated their armor with uncut diamonds. Once believed to have magical powers, the diamond gave the wearer strengthers, the diamond gave the wearer strength. It was a symbol of fearlessness and fortune. Today, the diamond is an international emblem of love, present in many engagement rings and wedding bands. The radiance of a diamond is extraordinarily captivating, making it a choice gemstone for necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as well.

There are factors to consider when selecting diamond jewelry, often referred to as the "4C's": color, clarity, cut and carat weight. The discussion below will provide valuable information about these criteria. Buying a diamond is a very personal decision. That being said, it is up to you to decide which combination of the 4C's makes up the ideal diamond for you.

Choosing a Diamond
Carat
Carat weight is fairly straightforward. Diamonds are weighed in carats, which are made up of 100 points. For example, a three-quarter-carat stone is 0.75 carats or 75 points. The supply of high-carat diamonds is limited, therefore, as the weight of a gemstone increases so does its value. However, carat weight refers to the weight of a diamond, not the size. In other words, two differently-shaped gemstones of the same carat weight can have different dimensions and one can look larger than the other.

Clarity
Most diamonds contain inclusions, or very tiny natural characteristics. Surface blemishes can also exist. A trained gemologist determines the clarity of a diamond by using 10x magnification. The size, number, position, type and color of these inclusions determines a diamond's clarity grade. Color is important because dark inclusions detract from the gemstone's beauty more than gray or white. The smaller and fewer inclusions, the more valuable the diamond. The most well-known clarity grading scale is through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Here is how diamond clarity is graded:

Flawless: No inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification
IF: Internally flawless with surface blemishes
VVS1 – VVS2: Very, very slightly included; inclusions are minute
VS1-VS 2: Very slightly included; inclusions are minor
SI1-S1 2: Slightly included: inclusions are noticeable
I1, I 2, I 3: included; inclusions are observable

Color
White diamonds are graded on their lack of color. The GIA's diamond color grading scale has a range from D to Z. D is colorless while Z is highly colored, usually tinted yellow. D, E and F graded diamonds are considered colorless. G, H, I and J are considered near-colorless as color is unnoticeable to the untrained eye. In general, the more colorless a diamond is, the higher its value.
This article can be found on WWW.SIDNEYTHOMAS.COM

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January Birthstone Garnets

For babies born in January, the garnet is the perfect gem to represent their birthstone. This beautiful stone, which is most commonly red but can be found in a range of other colors, symbolizes peace, prosperity and good health. Some say it even has the power to give the wearer eternal happiness, health and wealth.

GARNET HISTORY

The garnet is so durable, remnants of garnet jewelry can be found as far back as the Bronze Age. Other references go back to 3100 BC when the Egyptians used garnet as inlays in their jewelry and carvings. The Egyptians even said it was the symbol of life.
This gemstone was also used as a talisman for protection both by warriors going into battle and to those who wanted to ward off pestilence and plague. Some ancient healers and wise men even placed garnets in wounds and praised its healing powers.
The Victorians made garnets very popular during that time period. Some of the loveliest garnet jewelry from that era mimics its pomegranate namesake, with clusters of tiny red gems forming a larger statement pieces.
HOW TO BUY GARNET
If you’re looking to purchase a garnet for yourself or a loved one, it is a great way to celebrate friendship, toast a 2nd wedding anniversary or recognize the wearer’s January birthday.

When buying, first find a jeweler, who can assist you in purchasing exactly the right stone and piece. Look at how the garnet reacts under light, check for an intense, saturated color.

Remember, garnets commonly come in a wide spectrum of reds, but can also be green, pink, colorless or blue. The price of the piece will likely increase for more rare colors like green.
It should be noted that some garnets have inclusions that are part of the beauty of the overall stone.

Try to find a cut that spreads light evenly over the surface of the gemstone. This will help to bring out the overall beauty and color of the garnet.

No matter which stone or piece you choose, remember that the garnet is known for its durability and richness of color, so your investment will not only have great emotional value but could be a piece that stands the test of time.
Source of information American Gem Association.