In 1967, lightning struck the plains of Tanzania, setting the hills ablaze — and when the flames faded, the earth revealed a miracle: shimmering blue crystals unlike any seen before. Mistaken at first for sapphires, these gems transformed with heat into mesmerizing hues of blue and violet, shifting and dancing in different light. Thus, tanzanite was born — a gemstone rarer […]
A young man came to us with a treasured piece of family history — his grandmother’s pear-shaped emerald ring, a ring she had worn every day for 50 years. Time had taken its toll: the emerald was scratched, the prongs had thinned, and the intricate details on the shank had faded. He wasn’t sure it […]
Rubies are a type of precious gemstone known for their ravishing red color. The gemstone derives its name from the Latin word”ruber,” meaning red, the color symbolizing love and passion. Few gemstones captivate the eye like the ruby, making it a cherished choice for those born in July Minerally, ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamonds. The shade of red depends on the level of chromium and iron content in the ruby.
Rubies, each with its unique story and origin, hold the power to captivate and inspire. From the vibrant Burmese rubies with their distinctive deep purplish-red hues to the rich reddish-brown rubies found in Thailand and Sri Lanka, each gemstone carries a piece of the earth’s history and beauty. These precious stones are transformed through various cutting techniques, treatments and enhancements, revealing their inner brilliance and allure. The pursuit of unaltered deep red rubies represents the search for genuineness and purity, showcasing the exceptional and extraordinary in a world of boundless possibilities.
A few beautiful examples of our fine jewelry showcasing rubies
Rubies are often associated with passion, protection, and love. They have been used in the crowns and tiaras of royals such as the exceptionally beautiful Burmese Ruby Tiara with its intricate design and symbolic use of rubies. A favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, it was commissioned by the Queen herself from the 96 rubies given to her by the people of Burma (now Myanmar) as a wedding gift. It’s said that the Burmese people believed the rubies would protect their queen from the 96 diseases that can afflict the body. The stones were placed in the shape of The Tudor rose around the tiara as a nod to the Royal Family’s history. It’s amazing how gemstones like rubies have been woven into royal traditions and beliefs across different cultures.
In the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz,” a tornado whisks away the protagonist Dorothy and she wakes up to find she’s not in Kansas anymore. During her journey to get back home, she’s gifted a pair of magical ruby slippers that hold the power to transport her back home if she clicks the heels three times while repeating “There’s no place like home.”
At Grants Jewelry, we believe Alexandrite, June’s exquisite and optically unique birthstone, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. That’s why we’ve put together these captivating facts about this remarkable gemstone for you to enjoy. A Color-Changing Phenomenon This magical gemstone changes color depending on the light source it is exposed to, making it a true […]
The Power of GOLD Imagine… millions of years ago, glittering stars of fire raining down on our planet and forming the precious metal many of us love so much – GOLD! In the beginning, exploding stars bombarded our planet and showered the prized element all over the Earth’s surface. Gold has captivated humanity since […]
As the sun rises on International Women’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible women who grace our world, including you! Their strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit inspire us every single day. But let’s not limit our celebration to just one day. All women, deserve to be celebrated and empowered every single […]
The name derives from the Greek “amethystos”, which means “not drunken”, as Amethyst in antiquity was thought to ward off drunkenness. Amethyst is believed to inspire courage, calm, and contemplation. In fact, Egyptian soldiers would wear amethyst in battle in order to retain their courage. The color purple was traditionally the color of royalty, and […]
In the kaleidoscope of birthstones that adorn a calendar year, January is graced by the rich, deep hues of garnet. A gemstone that transcends time and carries a fascinating history, garnet captivates hearts with its vibrant colors and symbolic significance. Let’s delve into the mesmerizing world of garnet, a cherished gemstone for centuries. Garnet is […]
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and the exchange of thoughtful gifts that reflect the love and appreciation we feel for our friends and family. While there are countless options to choose from, few gifts can match the enduring beauty and significance of fine jewelry. Today, I’ll explore the art of giving […]
As the days grow shorter and the nights become darker, the allure of the supernatural beckons. What if we told you that the world of fine jewelry is not immune to tales of the paranormal and the mysterious? Welcome to the intriguing world of haunted jewelry, where gemstones, metals, and history intersect in tales of […]
November heralds the arrival of autumn, a season of transition and transformation. And what better way to celebrate this month than with a gemstone that embodies the fiery colors of fall and the desire for warmth and beauty? Topaz, the birthstone of November, is a captivating gem that has enthralled jewelry enthusiasts for centuries. In […]
Laura came to me to create a ring for an oval emerald and several accent diamonds that were set in a ring that her mother gave her for her 16th birthday. Sadly, Laura’s mom passed unexpectedly at a young age. While the ring meant the world to Laura, it was not practical for every day […]
October is a month filled with transition and transformation, as nature changes its colors, and the chill of autumn settles in. It’s only fitting that October’s birthstone, the opal, reflects this dynamic and enchanting time of the year. Opals are gemstones known for their mesmerizing play of colors and unique, otherworldly appearance. Explore the fascinating […]
A Sapphire is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, and is the birthstone for September. It is a very desirable gemstone due to its excellent color, hardness, durability, and luster. The only natural gemstone harder than Sapphire is Diamond. Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800 BC. Rulers of ancient Persia believed […]
Discovering Your Signature Jewelry Style: A Personal Jeweler’s Guide As a personal jeweler, I understand that jewelry is more than just an accessory; it’s a reflection of your personality, style, and individuality. Your choice of jewelry can speak volumes about who you are, and finding your signature jewelry style is an exciting journey of self-discovery. […]
Congratulations Tjada, The 2023 HBS Women’s Association Rising Star Award Winner Congratulations to the 2023 HBS Women’s Association Rising Star Award Winner. Tjada McKenna has dedicated her career to bringing economic opportunity and poverty alleviation to the most underserved communities in the world. Currently, Tjada serves as the CEO of Mercy Corps, a humanitarian aid […]
Among the most colorful tales in the pearl world is that of a legendary banquet, where Cleopatra bet Marc Antony that she could host the most expensive dinner in history. According to author and noted pearl expert Fred Ward, in his book, Pearls, the queen hoped to impress Antony and the Roman Empire he represented with the extent […]
In addition to their exceptional beauty, pearls bring back fond memories of my mother. Early on in my career, I sent her to be certified in Pearl and Bead stringing, and she then began working with me. Every time I look at a strand of pearls, I think of the hours we spent working alongside […]
Blue is the most popular topaz color in today’s jewelry marketplace. It is sold in a broad range of blue colors, starting from a pale blue with a light tone and saturation, all the way to a deep blue with a moderate to dark tone and saturation. Blue topaz is rare as natural topaz is […]
Azure sky, robin’s egg blue: Vivid shades of turquoise define the color that’s named after this gem. Its color can range from dull greens to grass greens to a bright, medium-toned, sky blue. People value turquoise highly for its combination of ancient heritage and unforgettable color. In addition to using turquoise in jewelry, it is […]
Please Join Us for the Opal Event at the Grants Jewelry Showroom! October 20, 2021 from 4pm – 8pm Touch, Feel & Try On Jewelry while learning about the colorful opal! 5 Interesting Facts about Opals You Might Not Know The word opal is derived from the Latin term ‘opalus’, which means precious stone. The […]
Recently, two valuable finds unearthed precious metals and gemstones. First, freedivers off the coast of Spain uncovered a treasure trove of 53 perfectly preserved gold coins from the Roman Empire, one of the largest collections ever found in Europe. Scientists from the University Institute for Research in Archeology and Historical Heritage analyzed the coins. They […]
Peridot jewelry dates back as far as the second millennium BC. Ancient Egyptians called it the God of The Sun.
This month we turn our attention to rubies. What do you know about the Ruby? Following, seven facts about rubies:
Sources: GIA.edu, Wikipedia; Images: GIA.edu, Cover Image: Getty Images / Dawid Wapenaar / EyeEm
“The rarest things in the world, next to a spirit of discernment, are diamonds and pearls.” -Jean de la Bruyere The World’s Oldest Gem The discovery of the pearl is not attributed to any one person in particular. It is believed that they were first discovered by people searching for food along the seashore. A […]
Summer is all about sunshine. After all, you deserve that peaceful relaxation only found when you spend a weekend or even a week at the beach. Unfortunately, your jewelry is not quite as fond of the sun and the sand. Between the wind, water and sand, there is a lot that can damage your jewelry. Sun exposure […]
International Tiara Day is celebrated on May 24th each year, appropriately on the birthday of Queen Victoria. Since so many girls and women admire tiaras, but there are very few events to which one can appropriately wear one, International Tiara Day was created. As a symbol of social status and power, men and women have adorned their heads with […]
In it’s original concept, the eternity ring dates back to the Egyptians, 4000 years ago. The significance of eternity rings also comes from Old Egypt, where the circle was a powerful symbol that represented eternity. The Egyptians also believed that the bond of marriage between a man a woman was so strong it could not […]
Emeralds. May’s birthstone, and the gem of the twentieth and thirty fifth wedding anniversaries. This stone is a green to bluish green variety of beryl, a mineral species that also includes aquamarine. What is the dividing line between emerald and beryl? GIA has created lab-graded comparison stones to determine if the green color is […]
The origin of wedding rings is a fascinating one. The tradition of exchanging rings dates back 3,000 years. So why are rings the ultimate symbol of romance? Believe it or not, It all started with a faulty premise! Ancient Egyptians believed that the fourth finger of the left hand contained a “vena amoris” or “vein of love” […]
Diamonds in the normal color range are colorless. They are described using an industry defined color scale from D to Z. Fancy color diamonds, on the other hand, exhibit color beyond the Z range. These rare specimens come in every color of the spectrum. The world’s first diamond color-grading system dates back to sixth-century India. The […]
What if you could capture the world’s most precious elements in a beloved piece of jewelry that you could wear every day? Well, in fact you can and probably already do. Most of the components used to create jewelry begin with elements from the earth – precious metals and gemstones that are mined from the […]
Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater and it was said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. March’s birthstone was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages. The best gems combine high clarity with limpid transparency and blue to slightly greenish blue hues. Like many beryls, aquamarine forms large crystals […]
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a variety of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz). It is traditionally semi-translucent to opaque dark green jasper with red inclusions of iron oxides, especially hematite. Bloodstone’s alternate name heliotrope comes from the ancient Greek word that means “to turn the sun.” In ancient times, these March birthstones were believed to turn the […]
Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and no two love stories are the same. Most great love stories have one thing in common though – the couple in love seems like they were “meant to be”. They go together like cookies and cream, peanut butter and jelly, Bogey and Bacall – perfectly suited pairs! […]
There are plenty of interesting facts about garnet, primarily because it’s a stone with such a long history. Here are just five of those facts, to whet your appetite for January’s beloved birthstone. Garnet dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Garnet dates as far back as 3800 BC. The gemstone was discovered in Egyptian art […]
It’s easy to understand why people confuse tourmaline with other gems: the stone has a dazzling range of colors, from rich reds to pastel pinks and peach colors, intense emerald greens to vivid yellows and deep blues. People have probably used tourmaline as a gem for centuries, but they identified it as some other stone […]
It’s time to take a peek at what’s trending this fall. What should be under the tree this holiday season? What will you see gracing the pages of your favorite magazines? Well, the industry tells us we should be on the lookout for links, pendants & charms, and pearls. So get ready, cause Grants Jewelry […]
Dr. Evan Smith made a presentation on super deep diamonds last week at the GIA, NY Campus. His discussion and slide show on how diamonds form deep underground was fascinating. There is so much to learn about diamonds in the core of the earth. thank you Dr. Smith. […]
The most colorful season of the year Fall is upon us and it’s a perfect time to tell you about this very special diamond bracelet we recently finished. This was a self purchase. Our client wanted a piece of jewelry to signify a recent and joyous experience in her life. The moment she saw the […]
When Engin came to my showroom in NYC for the first time, he knew what he wanted for Duygu’s diamond engagement ring. His sister and mom accompanied him for support, but he had already learned about the 4C’s of diamonds and he had pictures of rings that she liked and a metal in mind. And we […]
EMERALD The Gem of Spring! The birthstone for May. Lively, Radiant, Lush… A Color of Elegance and Beauty that Enhances Our Sense of Well Being, Balance and Harmony. Emerald History..did you know…. The oldest emeralds are about 2.97 billion years old. The first known emeralds were mined in Egypt around 1500 BC. “The Stone of Successful Love”, […]
By Brandon Specktor, senior writer Live Science
Meet Lori and Zola. They are a such proud couple! Lori is often seen in the arena with Zola. They started competing this year and on their first meet they came in 5th out of 54 and 4th out of 27th. They in are in love and practically inseparable. When Lori is not in her […]
Congratulations on your engagement Connie and Nick!
Happy Engagement! From Sergio: “We did a snow hike in the Rocky Mountains National Park, and when we got to the end of the trail, I proposed while we were standing on a frozen lake. Kayla is completely and totally in love with the ring. The amount of compliments she has gotten about the ring is really […]
On today’s blog, we are gearing up for the Christmas season and celebrating December Diamonds with our diamond essentials collection.
Andrew and Karen are an impossibly cute couple. Although it could be that today’s grooms are going to more trouble, Andrew took things to a new level. For one, he put in surreptitious groundwork with his future bride, casually shopping while silently noting her preferences. Then, he transformed himself an absolute expert in choosing the […]
Ten years together. They’re 30 years old now, gainfully employed and living the dream… what could be better…..being engaged! Lee was total surprised by Steven’s rap proposal at her 30th birthday party. She new they would get married eventually but how he did it was awesome! We wish them a fantastic life together full of […]
Maggy was completely surprised when Corey pop the question in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens….She thought they were celebrating his birthday!
Emerald is a precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.
In 2008, chunks of space rock crashed in the deserts of Sudan. Diamonds discovered inside one of the recovered meteorites may have
In diamonds, rarity equals value. With fancy color diamonds—the ones outside the normal color range—the rarest and most valuable colors are saturated pinks, blues, and greens. In all cases, even very slight color differences can have a big impact on value.
New Fine Jewelry & Custom Engagement Rings
Tips to ease the stress of finding the perfect gift for your Valentine this year!
Unlike other gems where size is the biggest factor in value, Amethyst is much more about depth of color. It’s thought to bring emotional stability and inner strength to the wearer. Learn more about this gem that was once considered exclusive to royalty!
Garnets, the birthstone for January, are known for creativity, healing and protection. They are available in a range of colors, making them ideal for unique jewelry pieces!
Called edgy, chic and mysterious – the black diamond adds something special to diamond jewelry. Learn about the carbonado, or black diamond that is on everyone’s wish list this year, and find the perfect black diamond holiday gift for someone special.
Would you use gemstones in your next kitchen upgrade?
A guide to help navigate Holiday Jewelry Gift Giving.
Simply print, check the scale and measure. If you can’t be measured by a jeweler, or you want to keep a ring purchase a surprise, this is the tool you need.
Choosing the right ring doesn’t have to be hard – Don’t be overwhelmed, let Susan help!
Check out Vince’s Proposal! We’ve heard that Nicole loves her custom-made Grants Jewelry engagement ring!
Do you think you would prefer to wear your birthstone gem, or to eat it? Some people now have a choice, thanks to Nestle Japan!
Introducing November’s Birthstones, Topaz & Citrine.
Gemstones are often associated with Witchcraft. It’s the perfect time of year to explore the meanings those stones carry and how they are used by witches.
How neutron stars make gold — and why this neutron star collision is such a big deal.
These three types of opal are all very different from one another. It wasn’t until recently that we understood how each differed from one another, and from traditional opals.
It was often confused with other gems, due to a wide range of colors. Tourmaline is October’s “other” birthstone.
Opal is the birthstone for October, and Australia’s National Gem.
Fall 2017 Jewelry Trends: Shapes, Stacks, Cut and Color
Extinct Denisovans from Siberia Made Stunning Jewelry. At 50,000 years the know-how involved in these items are breathtaking. Any older, and it challenges our entire understanding of the technological development of man.
Custom Ring Design – Create an engagement ring with an insert wrap especially for her!
Michael Buble wears one. So does Johnny Depp. So why shouldn’t you share your “taken” status with the world?
Stanford University researchers have discovered that the depths of the “ice giant” planets are perfect for the formation of diamonds.
Colorado State University Alum Kyle Griffin and Laura Krause met during their senior year at CSU. Laura was the third generation in her family to graduate from the school. When it came time to ask Laura to be his wife, Kyle knew he wanted CSU Football to be a part of his proposal, he just wasn’t […]
A young cubs fan proposed to Kris Bryant. Even Bryant’s wife Jessica could not say no.
A garden fresh carrot came up with more than anyone expected recently in Alberta, Canada. Mary Gram found the engagement ring she lost 13yrs ago!
Age is just a number, and this newlywed couple is a perfect example. At 94 and 98 years old, they were married in early August after dating for 8 years.
MIT PhD research student Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao wants to take your jewelry to the next level. Her research centers around accessories & wearable that are mobile, living objects on the body.
You are probably aware that on August 21, 2107, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse. It will be one of the biggest astronomical events of the decade. Wait – What’s A Solar Eclipse Again? An eclipse is the alignment of the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. Around every 18 months […]
In this day and age, the rules for getting engaged are changing. You might be surprised to learn that it’s not uncommon for a woman to do the asking these days. What’s even more common, though, is for the couple to decide together that they intend to marry. And whoever is asking, the “Proposal” isn’t always […]
Graeme Thompson, head of jewelry in Asia for British auction house Bonhams, handles beautiful diamonds on a daily basis. Yet even he has only held a red diamond once. In the 33 years that Rio Tinto has been showcasing stones from its Western Australian Argyle mine in Western Australia, less than 20 carats of Fancy Red […]
“Emeralds,” “Rubies” and “Diamonds” will dazzle as never before as three of the world’s top dance companies share the stage for the first time to mark the 50th anniversary of “Jewels,” currently on stage at Lincoln Center. Choreographer George Balanchine created Jewels in 1967; in three acts honoring the French, American and Russian styles […]
Recently, British Couple Charlie Jackson and his wife Carol noticed her engagement ring was missing. When the accompanying wedding ring was found on the floor, their search led them to their 9 month old dog, Bear. A trip to the veterinarian and some X-rays confirmed that confirmed that the ring was indeed in black labrador’s belly! […]
You may have seen Pearls referred to by “grade”: A, AA, AA+, and AAA. But how is that grade determined? Much like the 4 C’s of Diamonds, there are established benchmarks to determine the quality of pearls. Six factors are evaluated in order to determine the quality and therefore the value of pearls. Those factors […]
You may recall that Emeralds were our focus last month. As the birthstone for the month of May, the gem was the featured stone on the website and the highlight of May’s Event here in the showroom. Now, like many other jewelers, this month we turned our attention to Pearls, but it seems that the […]
The worldwide community of museums will celebrate International Museum Day on and around 18 May 2017. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. In 2016, International Museum […]
Join Us Wednesday, Sept 22 from 4 -8pm for The 5th Annual Sapphire Event! Learn about Sapphires Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum. It is typically blue, but natural “fancy” sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors. Prized throughout the ages, padparadscha sapphires are as beautiful and […]
Given the rarity and value of diamonds, it’s not surprising that some would seek ways to replicate their beauty. In recent years, laboratory-grown or synthetic diamonds have become more common, more advanced, and harder to detect. What is a Synthetic Diamond? A synthetic diamond is the result of a technological process, as opposed to the […]
