During a microscopic "deep dive" into this cultured akoya pearl, demantoid and diamond ring, I was able to locate a prized "horsetail" inclusion within a demantoid!

What is a horsetail inclusion, you ask?  Read more to find out!

While inclusions within diamonds or gems are generally not preferred, this type of horsetail inclusion actually adds value to demantoids!

According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the exact origin and composition of horsetail inclusions in demantoids is still under discussion.  Apparently, those in Russian, Italian, and Pakistanian material were reported to be chrysotile.  A more recent study showed that the horsetail inclusions in some demantoids from the Ural Mountains may actually be hollow channels.  So, to this day, the composition and origin of the prized horsetail inclusion is still up for discussion.

What do you think about horsetail inclusions? Would you prefer your demantoid garnet to have one? Or you do you prefer cleaner material?

The ring pictured above is home to the horsetail inclusion pictured.

>> Click here to visit the Demantoid section of our website.

>> Click here to shop our collection of Demantoid Garnets.



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Padparadscha sapphire is a very rare variety of sapphire whose color is often described as sunset-colored.

Padparadscha sapphire's name is derived from the Sinhalese word for Lotus blossom.  Lotus blossoms are beautiful flowers that are found throughout Sri Lanka, where the gem was originally discovered.

One of the most famous Padparadscha sapphires of all time is worn by Princess Eugenie of York, which is estimated to weigh between 3 and 4 carats.  The prized gem was given to her as an engagement ring in 2018.

Padparadscha sapphires are currently mined in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Madagascar, and Tanzania.

Emerald is a magnificent green gem that has been appreciated for thousands of years.  The first known emerald mines were located in Egypt, Africa prior to 330 BC!

Nearly all emeralds have surface-reaching fissures.  Natural emeralds with no surface-reaching fissures can be very valuable, due to their rarity.  Most emeralds undergo a routine oiling process that fills surface-reaching fissures, improving their appearance. The degree to which they've been oiled can affect the emerald's value.

While Colombia, South America is historically the home of the finest and most valuable emeralds, high quality emeralds have originated from many locations worldwide.

The image above was captured while examining an emerald through a microscope.  The type of jagged, three-phase inclusions found within this emerald are exclusive to natural Colombian material.

In 1988, extremely saturated, vivid blue and green tourmalines were discovered in Paraíba, Brazil.

These intense, neon colored tourmalines owe their color to copper impurities and also often contain traces of manganese.  Since their original discovery, similarly colored tourmalines have been discovered in other locations in Brazil, as well as in other locations such as Nigeria and Mozambique.  Although they may not have been mined in Paraíba, they are still referred to as "Paraíba tourmaline" as long as their color is caused by copper impurities.

Paraíba tourmaline colors include neon blue, blue-green, greenish blue, green, mint green and rarely violet or purple.

Paraíba tourmaline is commonly heated to improve or change its color and color origin for this gem is currently undeterminable.

This extremely rare and unusual, natural bi-color sapphire displays both yellow and blue hues.

The beautiful bicolor gem measures 7.30 x 5.60 x 4.30mm and weighs 1.62 carats.

There are several inclusions within the interior of the gemstone that confirm it to be a natural sapphire that has been routinely heated.

Click here to purchase this gem.

Click here to browse our Sapphire Collection.


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The Art Nouveau Era lasted from 1895-1910 and produced some of the most unique, creative, and even risqué jewelry of all time.

While Belle Époque jewelry was being produced during the same time as Art Nouveau jewelry, they couldn't be more opposite.  Art Nouveau jewelry designers rebelled against the monochromatic designs of Belle Époque jewelry and opted for colorful and creative, handmade designs inspired by nature and/or the female figure.

Art Nouveau jewelry was so creative and perhaps ahead of its time that it wasn't actually appreciated by the masses until years later.  The designs were so bold and risqué, sometimes featuring motifs of a nude female figure.  Women of the era were dressed extremely conservatively, so jewelry items like this were considered to be extremely taboo.

The magnificent bracelet pictured above is a wonderful example of the creativity of the Art Nouveau Era.  Signed and numbered, by Bailey, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this hand fabricated bracelet features a dragonfly motif set with an unheated natural vivid pink sapphire, old mine cut diamonds, and tsavorites as the eyes.

What are your thoughts on this bracelet?  Do you love it?  Hate it?  Go ahead and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Trapiche emeralds are a rare variety of emerald named after a six-spoke cogwheel used in sugar cane mills (trapiche de cańa azucar in Spanish).

Tanzanite is a beautiful gem found in only 1 location on earth: the Merelani hills of northern Tanzania.

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 and was originally thought to be a sapphire deposit.

​Tiffany & Co. became interested in this new gem and made a deal to become its main distributor in 1968.

Fun Fact: Tiffany & Co. is actually responsible for naming tanzanite after the country it was discovered in!

The "Queen of Kilimanjaro" is the name of a famous white gold tiara featuring a magnificent 242-carat tanzanite accented by tsavorites and diamonds.

Tanzanite has been spotted at many red carpet events on celebrities including Beyoncé, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Middleton and more!

Good news for you December babies:  Tanzanite is a December birthstone and is also the 24th wedding anniversary gemstone.

The late, great Ilias Lalaounis was an iconic Greek goldsmith whose work was internationally-renowned.

Ilias Lalaounis began his career in the 1930s working for his uncle, Xenophon Zolotas, as an apprentice. He worked at, and managed, the Zolotas firm until 1968 before eventually opening his own company a year later.

In 1969, Lalaounis opened his own firm: "Greek Gold - Ilias Lalaounis, S.A."

Lalaounis gained notoriety from his abilities to perfect the often-neglected techniques of granulation, filigree, hand-weaving, and hand-hammering.

In 1994, he founded the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum (ILJM), located in the center of Athens, Greece.  This museum displays a permanent collection of over 3,000 pieces from 50 collections created by Lalaounis between 1940 and 2002.  Included in these collections are pieces that were inspired by the art of Ancient Greece, the ancient architecture of Byzanitum, nature and technology.  Also on display is one of Lalaounis' special commissions:  The Olympic Torch!

After his passing in 2013, vintage Lalaounis pieces rarely surface. When they do, it is all-but-guaranteed they will realize substantial premiums.

Gone, but never forgotten.

Ilias Lalaounis, 10/04/1920 - 12/30/2013