Gemology is a pretty well-known term to the general public, but crystallography is one that very few people are familiar with. “I never use that word; I think it’s a weird word,” said Geralyn Sheridan, our artisan jeweler, GIA Graduate Gemologist, and company namesake. Even so, crystallography is a huge piece of gemology. We picked her brain to gain a better understanding.
Topics: Jewelry, Gemology, Jewelry Industry, Crystallography
No, we're not talking about birthstones, we’re talking about gemstones you can enjoy no matter when you were born!
For August we're featuring a gem that a lot of people already love… tourmaline!
Here are our top three reasons why you should love tourmaline too (that is, if you don’t already):
Topics: Gemstones, Gemstone of the Month, Jewelry, Gemology
An artisan is someone who creates art, specifically by coming up with the idea and then actually creating the physical art piece themselves. Artisan jewelry is created by artisans, and there are some important distinctions to remember.
Topics: Jewelry, Gemology, Jewelry Industry
Lost wax casting is a well-known process in the jewelry industry, but Geralyn recently started using a less known type of wax with Japanese origins. Mitsuro-Hikime is unique because it must be warmed slowly with your hands to become malleable. After pulling and folding the wax into itself over and over, much like a taffy machine in the candy shoppe window, it forms unique striations. This wax and technique allow the goldsmith to create flowing sculptural curves with organic, linear texture.
Topics: Jewelry, Jewelry Industry, Mitsuro Hikime
No, we're not talking about birthstones. In fact, our gem this month isn't on the birthstone list at all!
For July we're featuring a gem that doesn't get the spotlight as often as it deserves: sunstone!
We're not sure why sunstones don't get more media attention, but here are our top three reasons they're worthy of your focus:
Topics: Gemstone of the Month, Jewelry, Gemology
