Sultry Sapphires

I’ve noticed that when I’m working with jewelry – certain pieces always make me feel a certain way. I’ll be working with a group – sometimes it’s the same type of stones or sometimes it’s a variety of different stones in a similar design style, regardless – each lends itself to a certain mood, decade or occasion.

Recently we received a massive shipment of sapphire and diamond jewelry.

….I immediately thought, “Classic Hollywood.”

I can almost see the gorgeous dame waltzing in from out of the rain – pushing her way into the male lead’s detective office past the unkempt secretary’s desk…cigar smoke fills the room while she dramatically unfolds her mysterious tale in a sultry deep voice.  The male lead, suave though he hasn’t shaved in days, doesn’t usually take cases like this, but he’s powerless against her beauty.

Those  movies had such character.  Even though the plots were, by description, formulaic, there is always something unexpected.  They were filled with drama, intrigue, a handsome lead and fantastic clothing.  I absolutely love film noir.  It’s cheesy, but true.

So, the other day, it wasn’t at all surprising that I found myself day dreaming about Humphrey Bogart while clicking away at the deep navy blue beauties.  I couldn’t help it.

I think about how jewelry makes me feel and what the stones seem to say.   To me, sapphires say timeless beauty.  They ooze sophistication.  They’re dramatic because they’re oddly mysterious; that midnight blue color doesn’t reveal anything, it’s as though something may be hiding just under the surface…something you can’t quite reach but want desperately hold.

To me, sapphires remind me of the dame from the classic detective drama, the film noir chic.

What do they say to you?

Anniversary Gift Giving Guide

Certain gifts have always been associated with certain anniversaries, but there was no “traditional gift” for any particular year until  Emily Post – etiquette guru – published a list of suggested anniversary gifts and their corresponding years in her 1922 publication, “Etiquette.”  While Post’s list is one of the most well known anniversary gift guides today, it may not be as traditional as it seems.

For thousands of years, couples have received precious gemstones from their loved ones as anniversary gifts.  The stones weren’t just given as congratulatory baubles, but as talisman.  The Romans wore them as symbols of love, protection, and status.  The Egyptians gave amethyst, turquoise and lapis lazuli. These gifts were meant to bring the couple through the coming years safely together, and if all went well – some of the gemstones were said to bring fertility, prosperity, and spiritual guidance.

For this reason, there is now a respected Anniversary Gemstone List.  It is not only endorsed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) but also the American Gem Society, the American Gem Trade Association, and the Jewelers of America. Each year, as love grows and the relationship builds, the gifts are said to correspond accordingly with a couple’s needs and symbolize the bond of two as one. Below is the accepted Gemstone Anniversary Gift Giving Guide. You will notice that some (like with Ms. Post’s gift giving guide) offer two or three different options.

Anniversary Stones Gift Guide:

Anniversary Year	Gemstone Gift	Anniversary Year	Gemstone Gift
1	Gold or Freshwater Pearls	18	Cat’s Eye or Opal
2	Garnet or Rose Quartz	19	Aquamarine or Topaz
3	Pearl or Crystal	20	Emerald or Platinum
4	Blue Topaz or Amethyst	21	Iolite
5	Sapphire or Turquoise	22	Spinel
6	Amethyst or Garnet	23	Imperial Topaz or Sapphire
7	Onyx, Copper or Lapis Lazuli	24	Tanzanite
8	Tourmaline or Bronze	25	Sterling Silver
9	Lapis Lazuli or Tiger’s Eye	30	Pearls, Jade or Diamonds
10	Diamond	35	Emerald, Coral or Jade
11	Turquoise or Jade	40	Ruby
12	Jade, Agate or Pearl	45	Sapphire or Alexandrite
13	Citrine, Malachite or Moonstone	50	Gold
14	Opal, Ivory or Moss Agate	55	Alexandrite or Emerald
15	Ruby or Crystal	60	Diamonds
16	Peridot	65	Star Sapphire
17	Amethyst or Citrine	75	Gold and Diamonds