Entries by Susan Grant
Blue Topaz: A December Birthstone
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 […]
Turquoise: Soul Satisfying Color and Multi Layered History
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 […]
Mysterious & Cursed Gemstones
Do you believe in superstitions? Hauntings? Curses? Many don’t, but an equal many have experienced “bad luck” that seems to have no other explanation!
It’s The Great Pumpkin!
Nope. Not talking about the beloved children’s animated special. We’re talking diamonds here. An orange diamond to be precise. The Pumpkin Diamond is a diamond weighing 5.54 carats (1.108 g), and was rated in color as Fancy Vivid Orange by the Gemological Institute of America. This may seem small when compared to other famous diamonds, […]
You’re Invited! The Opal Event at the Grants Jewelry Showroom!
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 […]
What Is The Evil Eye?
A universal symbol of protection, the evil eye is referred to as mati in Greek. It’s a particularly widespread belief in the Mediterranean region, as reflected by the abundance of amulets available to protect yourself from it. In Italy, where it’s called “malocchio”, the red cornicello is the most popular anti-Evil Eye charm. The earliest […]
Craftsmanship That Began Centuries Ago Is Alive and Well Today in NYC
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: The Gem of The Sun
Peridot jewelry dates back as far as the second millennium BC. Ancient Egyptians called it the God of The Sun.
Rubies: Just the Facts!
This month we turn our attention to rubies. What do you know about the Ruby? Following, seven facts about rubies:
- Ruby is one of the four precious gemstones. The others are emerald, sapphire, and diamond.
- The word ruby comes from the Latin rubens, which means red. Rubies are found in many shades of red, from rich darkish red to pigeon blood red and pinkish red. The red hue comes from traces of the mineral chromium. The most precious rubies are those with a full, rich red color with just a hint of blue tones.
- A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires.
- Ruby is the birthstone for July. It is also a traditional gift for those celebrating 15th or 40th anniversaries.
- Rubies are extremely strong, registering 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are as resilient as sapphires and only slightly softer than diamonds.
- Rubies have been found all over the world, including in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Africa, Australia and the USA. Most of the finest rubies were mined in Myanmar, thus the finest rubies are now known as “Burmese Rubies”.
- Almost all rubies have flaws – Rubies without imperfections are exceptionally rare. In fact, that is one way that a ruby is authenticated – if it has no inclusions, it is likely not a genuine ruby!
Sources: GIA.edu, Wikipedia; Images: GIA.edu, Cover Image: Getty Images / Dawid Wapenaar / EyeEm
Meet June’s Birthstone: The Majestic Pearl
“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 […]
Beach Jewelry Care
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
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 […]
A Token of Life and Eternal Love
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 […]
May’s “Gem of Spring” Birthstone, The Emerald: Nothing Greens Greener
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 History of The Wedding Ring
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” […]
Beyond The Z Range: Fancy Colored Diamonds
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 […]
Capture the Wonders of Nature
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 […]
The serenely colored aquamarine invokes the tranquility of its namesake, the sea.
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: March’s Other Birthstone
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 […]
Quick Facts About February’s Birthstone, The Amethyst!
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 […]
What Does Love Look Like To You?
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! […]
Garnet: Five Fun Facts!
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 […]
Antique Jewelry: Mourning Jewelry of the Victorian Era
The tradition of wearing mourning jewelry goes back to at least the Middle Ages, when motifs like skulls and crossbones served as a tangible reminder of death. The exhortation memento mori, which literally translates to remember death, urged the wearer to live a moral life. The popularity of mourning jewelry reached its peak during the […]
Tourmaline: One of October’s Birthstones
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 […]
Trending: The Jewelry You Need This Fall
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 […]
Super Deep Diamonds by Dr. Evan Smith
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. […]
Hello Fall!
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 […]
Engin and Duygu…. Their Life Together Begins!
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 […]
In The Merry Merry Month Of May
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”, […]
Scientist Think They’ve Found The Ancient Neuron Star Crash That Showered Our Solar System in Gold
By Brandon Specktor, senior writer Live Science
Hay There!
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 […]
Hello Spring!
Congratulations on your engagement Connie and Nick!
Spoil The One Who Stole Your Heart
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 […]
Put a Bow on It!
On today’s blog, we are gearing up for the Christmas season and celebrating December Diamonds with our diamond essentials collection.
A Pedigreed Proposal
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 […]
Steven and Lee….the rap proposal
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 […]
Congratulations to Maggy and Corey, wishing you a lifetime of happiness!!
Maggy was completely surprised when Corey pop the question in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens….She thought they were celebrating his birthday!
Last Look: Emeralds!
The emerald is perfect for people trying to make a mark in creative filed like music, painting, fashion designing, interior designing, etc. With those, and other believed health and wellness benefits, it’s no wonder they are one of the most popular gems!
Some of The Queen’s Favorites!
Some of the Queen’s Favorites from the Royal Collection!
April Showers Bring May . . . Emeralds
Emerald is a precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.
Diamonds in a Meteorite….
In 2008, chunks of space rock crashed in the deserts of Sudan. Diamonds discovered inside one of the recovered meteorites may have
Famed Diamonds
Diamonds might gain fame for size, value, purchaser or purpose. Take a look at some famous diamonds and why they made headlines.
A Rainbow of Fancy Colored Diamonds
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.
This Month, Diamonds Really Are A Girl’s Best Friend!
Diamonds are the traditional and modern April birthstones. In their natural form, diamonds are the hardest substance on the planet, and they are believed to have been around for billions of years.
Aquamarine: Celebrity Trends and History
Trend-setters who might be seen sporting their aquamarine birthstone this March include Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga and Carrie Underwood.
Still Need A Gift for Your Valentine? New Products Launching All Day Today & Tomorrow
New Fine Jewelry & Custom Engagement Rings
Tips For A Successful Valentine’s Day Jewelry Gift Purchase!
Tips to ease the stress of finding the perfect gift for your Valentine this year!
February’s Birthstone: The Regal Amethyst
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!
Garnet: The Most Ancient Talisman
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!
On Every Wish List This Year: Black Diamonds
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.
History’s Famous Diamonds & What They Are Known For
Some of the most famous diamonds in history – Some you’ve certainly heard of, but others are not quite as well known. Here, the top ten, and what they are known for.
Gemstones: Not Just For Jewelry
Would you use gemstones in your next kitchen upgrade?
Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Choosing the perfect jewelry gift!
A guide to help navigate Holiday Jewelry Gift Giving.
Find The Perfect Size From Home!
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.
72% of Men Need Help When Shopping for THE Ring!
Choosing the right ring doesn’t have to be hard – Don’t be overwhelmed, let Susan help!
She Said Yes! Baseball Player Proposes On The Field
Check out Vince’s Proposal! We’ve heard that Nicole loves her custom-made Grants Jewelry engagement ring!
You Won’t Find This In The Halloween Candy Stash!
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!
November’s Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
Introducing November’s Birthstones, Topaz & Citrine.
HALLOWEEN FUN: WITCHES AND GEMSTONES
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.
The Cosmic Origins of Gold and Silver
How neutron stars make gold — and why this neutron star collision is such a big deal.
Mysterious Opals
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.
Tourmaline – The “Other” October Birthstone
It was often confused with other gems, due to a wide range of colors. Tourmaline is October’s “other” birthstone.
Opal: The Flashy Rainbow
Opal is the birthstone for October, and Australia’s National Gem.
Trends to Watch This Fall
Fall 2017 Jewelry Trends: Shapes, Stacks, Cut and Color
Who says it has to be a diamond? Famous Sapphire Engagement Rings
Famous Sapphire Engagement Rings – It doesn’t have to be a diamond!
Extinct Denisovans from Siberia Made Stunning Jewelry
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.
The Secrets Of “Amun’s Goldsmith, Amenemhat” Uncovered
Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered the tomb of a goldsmith dedicated to the god Amun and the mummies of a woman and her two children, the antiquities ministry said on Saturday.
September’s Birthstone: The Sapphire
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 […]
What Is An Insert Ring, Anyway?
Custom Ring Design – Create an engagement ring with an insert wrap especially for her!
“Man”engagement Rings – Are They A Thing Now?
Michael Buble wears one. So does Johnny Depp. So why shouldn’t you share your “taken” status with the world?
Diamond Rain In The Forecast
Stanford University researchers have discovered that the depths of the “ice giant” planets are perfect for the formation of diamonds.
A Proposal Carved In Stone
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 […]
Will You Marry Me?
A young cubs fan proposed to Kris Bryant. Even Bryant’s wife Jessica could not say no.
Lost & Found & Carrots
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!
True Love Knows No Age Limits
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.
Creepy-Crawly or High-Tech: Crawling “Jewelry”
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.
Diamonds In The Sky
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 […]
The Changing Face of Engagements
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 […]
Meet the ‘Argyle Everglow’ – Rarity Within Rarity
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 […]
Precious Gems Shine at Lincoln Center
“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 […]
Can A Diamond Be Too Big?
As it turns out, they can. Canada’s Lucara Diamond Corporation announced recently that it will have to cut the 1,109-carat ‘Lesedi La Rona’ in order to find a buyer. Lucara’s chief executive, William Lamb, said “It’s only the second stone recovered in the history of humanity over 1,000 carats. Why would you want to polish […]
A Dog’s Appetite for Diamonds
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! […]
High Fashion = Incredible Jewelry: Notable Jewelry From Paris Fashion Week
Much like the runway fashions that are a signature of “Haute Couture” (high fashion), the jewelry chosen to accent a model’s wardrobe is a truly unique expression of the designer’s creative vision. Haute Couture Jewelry is constructed by hand from start to finish. Only the finest and highest quality of rare and unusual precious stones […]
From Auction to Jewel Heist – Check Out Some of The World’s Most Famous Rubies!
They set records at auction, and were stolen (some never to be recovered) in Jewel Heists that made International Headlines. Some were prized possessions and many are now on permanent display at the Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian. Take a look at some of the world’s most famous rubies. The Liberty Bell Ruby […]
Pearls: Natural Beauties Require Your TLC
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 […]
What Determines The Quality of A Pearl?
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 […]
Emeralds Want to Stay In The Spotlight
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 […]
Art Deco & The Jazz Age: Now Being Celebrated at Cooper-Hewitt
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 […]
The Jewelry of The Art Deco Period
“It was the style of the flapper girl and the factory, the luxury ocean liner and the skyscraper, the fantasy world of Hollywood and the real world of the Harlem Renaissance. Art Deco affected all forms of design, from the fine and decorative arts to fashion, film, photography, transport and product design. It was modern and […]
