Father’s Day Love

Father’s Day is June 21st this year.

Make sure you take some time to stop and tell him you miss dancing on his feet, being swung high and free in his arms and that you can now look back and appreciate all of the nagging you thought was once unbearable.

To help you celebrate, GEMaffair.com is giving you 15% off any jewelry purchase over $25 (Coupon does not include watches – they’re already as low as they can go!). Just use code DADGRADS at checkout to receive your swanky refund. If you need help with ideas, just click the little “chat” applet on any product page and I’ll swing in to help you find the perfect doo-dad for your papa (and grandpapa too!).

Some Father’s Day Gift Ideas:
So dad doesn’t golf, fish or watch NASCAR – you may be thinking you’re in trouble, but you’re not.

1.  Think about a giving him a nice chronograph watch. Watches are great because you can tailor them to your dad’s specific needs.  If your dad plays a lot of sports, go for a sports chronograph with second hand subdial.  That way he can time the action and look good while he’s doing it.   If your dad is more refined, try the Bulova Oxford.  The leather strap and unique dial shape give this watch a sophisticated appeal that’s quite catching.

2.  Dad has no style you lament. Don’t worry – Father’s Day is the perfect time to update your dad’s look AND give him a present. Your best bet is a simple ring, like the grey quartz cat’s eye ring or a masculine onyx number. It will go with everything and is both casual and dressy. It’s a win-win.

3.   Even if your dad does like the above mentioned, dad-sanctioned activities, we’ve got the perfect thing to help him celebrate his hobbies all year long.   Try the golf money clip bill fold or a racing ring.  For more racing jewelry – both rings and pendants, check out our Racing Section.

Dads rock.  Let yours know too.

London Calling

Today I got a message from my sister.  She’s in Paris.  She’s speaking trying to speak french.  It’s funny and a bit sad.

Soon, I’ll be over in Europe as well – Italy, France and England.

I can’t wait to spend a few days in London.  I won’t have to worry about stammering over my poor french or italian skills.  I’ll only have to worry about mucking up my metro transfers or getting lost above ground in a maze of criss crossing streets.

I can’t stop listening to The Clash….

Before I go, I want to know if there is anything off the norm I should make sure to do/see.  Ideas?

What would you pack to wear?  Types of jewelry, shoes, ect?

The Origin of Onyx

If you follow Greek mythology, then you know that onyx was first created from the fingernail clippings of Venus. Eros, being the trickster that he was, decided to give his mom’s nails a trim and then left the bits scattered around. The gods turned the nails into onyx stones.

This mystical birthstone for December and for the Zodiac sign Leo is actually silicon dioxide chalcedony quartz. When gas pockets form in lava, it gives the quartz an opportunity to fill the cavity. The igneous rock hardens and the quartz crystallizes. So, while the mythology is more interesting, black onyx jewelry did not originate with the fingernail clippings of a goddess.

Most of the stones found in jewelry probably came from deposits in Brazil. However, there are mines located across the globe including India and event he United States. California and Arizona have several mines.

Black onyx rings are commonly found in the women’s and men’s jewelry sections. It can be bold and masculine or mysteriously feminine depending on the setting.

The deep black abyss you see when you look into the stone is likely due to treatment. It is a common practice to dye or heat the stones to achieve the maximum depth of blackness. Polished to velvety sheen, black onyx jewelry is a mystery bordering on danger.