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June Birthstone Spotlight: Pearls

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Make Technology

The pearl has long been a favorite gemstone because of its soft luster, its glowing iridescence, and its rich associations with purity. In Latin, the pearl’s name means “unique” because there are no two pearls alike. Pearls have a 4000 year history of being treasured as decoration and at one time Rome and other parts of Europe passed a number of laws regarding who could wear this esteemed jewel. The oldest surviving pearl necklace is dated back as far as 2000 years and it was located in a sarcophagus of a Persian Princess.

Beside decorations, history tells us of famous stories involving pearls. It is said that Cleopatra wagered Marc Antony that she could throw the most extensive dinner party in history, and then promptly dissolved a pearl in a glass of wine and drank it. Caligula was also said to have decorated his horse with a pearl necklace after he made the horse consul. Charles I was famed for wearing a large pearl drop earring (known as the Charles I), and the pearl has since disappeared from history.

Pollution and overfishing in the 1800s put a heavy strain on the pearl industry and significantly wiped out supplies. It wasn’t until Kokichi Mikimoto, the son of a Japanese noodle maker, who revolutionized the pearl industry by perfecting the cultured pearl process.
The largest pearl in the world is known as the Pearl of Lao Tzu and though not gem-quality, the pearl measures 9.45 inches in diameter. It was discovered in the Philippines in 1939. Another notable pearl of great size is the La Peregrina pearl, a lustrous white pear-shaped pearl weighing 203.8 grains. The La Peregrina was found of the coats of Panama in the 16th century and was giving to Queen Mary of Spain. It was also purchased in 1969 by Richard Burton as a gift for Elizabeth Taylor.

Today pearls are available in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And pearl fashions have come a long way since the simple strands and studs of our grandmothers. For example, this beautiful Tahitian Pearl and Diamond ring shows off a fresh new look for pearls, making them fashion forward as well as heirloom worthy. This particular ring is a Mikimoto design (yep, Mikimoto pearls are still alive and well). So rejoice, all you who share a June birthday. You can be proud to call the oldest jewel your birthstone.

King Jewelers Nashville is proud to be an authorized dealer for Mikimoto pearls in Middle Tennessee. Mikimoto is available for sale on the Kings Jewelers website at www.kings1912.com. For more information regarding Mikimoto, please visit www.mikimotoamerica.com or our Mikimoto Pearl page.

May Birthstone Spotlight: Emerald

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Make Technology

As sad as we are to see our Forevermark Diamond Week come to an end, we’re always glad to showcase other gemstones as well. And how can anyone be sad about emeralds? They have such a bright, vibrant color that is perfect for this time of year. Emeralds are prized for these vivid shades of green and are one of the hardest gemstones to find in flawless condition due to their soft nature, susceptibility to fracturing, and high number of inclusions. Along with an extensive history of being associated with good health, wealth, luck, and emotional well-being, emeralds have have been a popular gemstone from the time they were sold in Babylonian markets in 4000 B.C. and beyond.
With this gemstone’s fragile nature, it’s extraordinary to find any large gem-quality emerald. The world’s largest cut emerald is known as the Teodora, or Gift of God, a 57,500 carat opaque emerald roughly the size of a watermelon. One of the other largest emeralds is the Moghul Emerald, which is 217.18 carats carved on the front and the back with a Shi’a Muslim prayer invocation. The largest emerald in North America came out from a little farm in North Carolina, and is dubbed the Carolina Emperor at 65 carats.
Naturally the heavy-hitters of the jewelry world have also left their mark with emerald masterpieces. Harry Winston is responsible for cutting and setting the famous Colombian Chalk Emerald. The Chalk Emerald is a 37.82 carat square gemstone set as a ring and framed by fifteen carats of pear-cut diamonds. The Chalk Emerald was originally set into a necklace that belonged to a maharani in India.

Cartier created a beautiful Art Deco emerald and platinum necklace in 1931 that features a 167.97 carat oval-cut Colombian emerald named the Mackay Emerald. This necklace also incorporated 35 smaller emeralds and as many as 2191 diamonds. This emerald was named after the owner, Anna Case Mackay.

Because emeralds were so popular in the early 1920’s and 1930’s, one of our favorite Art Deco pieces is this Columbian emerald ring from our estate collection. The oval-cut emerald cabochon is framed by a swirling border of baguette and marquise cut diamonds. So no matter what your taste, an emerald is a way to tap into the elegant, the regal, and the timeless.

Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs. For more information, visit www.kings1912.com.

April Birthstone Spotlight: Diamond

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Make Technology

Those of you with April birthdays have one of the most sought-after gemstones: the diamond. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate this birthday gem this month because it’s all leading up to our inaugural Forevermark Diamond Week in Nashville during the first week of May!
As popular as the diamond is today, the true brilliance of this gemstone wasn’t fully realized until the 16th century when gemstone cutting and polishing practices had been completely refined. Today, how a diamond has been cut and polished will in large part determine its value. Forevermark diamonds are some of the most rare and exquisite diamonds in existence because they have such high standards in regards to how a diamond can be cut and polished.
Diamond are found in a mineral known as kimberlite, which contains volcanic matter and pieces of the earth’s crust. The kimberlite is crushed between two large steel rollers to ground the rocks and because of a diamond’s extreme hardness, the diamonds are freed without damage to the gemstone. The largest diamond mine in the world is the Orapa mine, located in Botswana. The richest diamond mine in the world is the Jwaneng mine in Botswana and is one of the Forevermark diamond mines. Forevermark’s mines are carefully selected according to strict standards of business, social, and environmental practices.

A. Link for Forevermark Diamond Spiral Stud Earrings FME00178

The diamond, because of its durability and beauty, has been believed to be a symbol of love for centuries. In ancient Greece, the Greeks were of the mindset that the diamond reflected the flame of everlasting love. In 1477 the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy, and is one of the first examples of the diamond engagement ring. We have chosen to feature a pair of beautiful A. Link for Forevermark Diamond Stud earrings for the month of April. These unique studs have a spiraling halo design that highlights the round-cut Forevermark diamonds in their four-prong 18 karat white gold setting.
Here are some other people who share a May Birthday:
April 3rd – Eddie Murphy
April 4th – Maya Angelou
April 4th – Robert Downey Jr.
April 7th – Francis Ford Coppola
April 9th – Dennis Quaid
April 16th – Charlie Chaplin
April 18th – Conan O’Brien
April 25th – Al Pacino
Stay tuned this month for more fun diamond facts as we gear up for the Forevermark Diamond Week in Nashville. You can find more information about this event on our Forevermark Diamond Week page.
King Jewelers is an official Forevermark authorized retailer in the United States. Forevermark diamond engagement rings, Forevermark diamond jewelry and loose Forevermark diamonds are represented in all sizes and shapes. Forevermark diamonds are available at the Green Hills location in Nashville, TN, at the Aventura location in Miami, FL, and on-line at www.Kings1912.com. For more information, please visit the Forevermark website.

March Birthstone Spotlight: Aquamarine

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Make Technology

Our birthstone spotlight comes to you a little late this month due to all the excitement of Baselworld. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t love this month’s birthstone, aquamarine. This gemstone is a beautifully soft blue-green color that always looks striking when paired with white metals, and it goes with any eye and hair color combination. It’s traces of iron in the crystal structure that give aquamarine its color. Like with most gemstones the darker and more intense the color, the more valuable. Part of the beryl family, the aquamarine is also closely related to emeralds.
There are a couple of famous aquamarine gemstones in history. One of the largest pieces of aquamarine was found in Marambaya, Brazil back in 1910. This gemstone, known as the “Minas Gerais” weighted 243 lbs and was cut into gems with a total weight of over 100,000 carats. Another famous aquamarine is the “Dom Pedro” weighing 57 lbs and was cut by Bernd Munsteiner in 1992.
It comes as no surprise that aquamarine is associated with all things pertaining to sea. It has the reputation of being the jewel found in mermaids’ treasure chests and was a protective talisman for sailors at sea. It is also linked with the planet Neptune, the ocean planet.
One of our favorite pieces of aquamarine jewelry is this beautiful pair of pear-cut aquamarine and pave diamond dangle earrings. The aquamarine gemstones really stand out nestled amongst the paye diamonds.

King Jewelers Pave Diamond & Aquamarine Strand Earrings

Here are a few folks who have their birthdays in March:
March 1st – Javier Bardem
March 2nd – Dr. Seuss
March 5th – Eva Mendes
March 10th – Carrie Underwood
March 10th – Jon Hamm
March 12th – Jack Kerouac
March 14th – Albert Einstein
March 15th – Andrew Jackson
March 22nd – Reese Witherspoon
March 24th – Payton Manning
March 26th – Diana Ross
March 31st – Christopher Walken
Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs. For more information, visit www.kings1912.com.

February Birthstone Spotlight: Amethyst

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Make Technology

Around this time of year, everyone is getting tired of the gray weather and bare trees. That’s why we get excited about February’s birthstone, the amethyst! This lovely gemstone comes in all ranges of purple that can give the right punch of color to any situation.
Psychological studies show that lighter shades of purple can relieve tension and help promote creativity, just the solution for those winter blues. Also, purple is not a color commonly found in nature so that makes the amethyst all the more unique. So sport your February pride with these beautiful and simple pear-cut amethyst and diamond drop earrings.

King Jewelers Pear Amethyst and Diamond Earrings

Amethysts are also known for being the gemstone of the powerful and rich as it was a favored gemstone among royalty back in the day. If you were born in February, here are a few of today’s rich and famous people who share this birth month with you:
February 1st – Lisa Marie Presley
February 2nd – Farrah Fawcett
February 3rd – Isla Fisher
February 4th – Alice Cooper
February 8th – James Dean
February 9th – Travis Tritt
February 11th – Taylor Lautner
February 19th – Kurt Cobain
February 26th – Johnny Cash
February 27th – Elizabeth Taylor
Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs. For more information, visit www.kings1912.com

December Birthstone Spotlight: BLUE TOPAZ

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Make Technology

Scott Kay Equestrian Blue Topaz & Diamond Sterling Silver Ring R1375SPALBDM

Blue topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals and its name comes from the Sanskrit word for fire. Pure topaz is colorless, so the blue hue is achieved by heating the stone. Ancient civilizations believed this gem contained cooling properties, and it was often used for its supposed healing powers. Today, the blue topaz is considered to be symbolic of love and fidelity.
If you have a December birthday, you’ll share this birthday month with country music giants like Barbara Mandrell (December 25th) and Nashville’s own residents Hank Williams III (December 12th) and Taylor Swift (December 13th).
The piece we feature today is from Scott Kay’s new ladies sterling silver collection. Scott Kay is known for his fine craftsmanship in all of is sterling silver designs and this new line is no exception. This ring presents a cushion-cut topaz in a deep London blue framed by a border of diamonds and the sterling silver double-band is carved with Scott Kay’s signature Equestrian basket-weave design. Scott Kay’s use of sterling silver makes this ring a beautiful piece that can stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use.
King Jewelers is proud to be an authorized representative Scott Kay Sterling Silver Fashion jewelry in Middle Tennessee and South Florida. For more information, please visit www.scottkay.com. To view our collections or purchase a piece of Scott Kay Sterling Silver, please visit our Scott Kay Brand Page.

November Birthstone Spotlight: CITRINE

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Make Technology

marco bicego citrine mother of pearl bracelet

A rare form of quartz, Citrine is symbolic of hope and strength. From the old French for “lemon,” this gem comes in a variety of yellows. When subjected to heat, the stone can change color, so it is recommended not to leave citrine jewelry pieces in direct sunlight for extended periods of time because it will permanently alter the color. Historically, citrine has been used to enhance yellow gold jewelry and was often believed to have medicinal properties. This month will have the birthdays of country music superstars such as Josh Turner (November 20th) and Merle Travis (Novemeber 29th).
This month’s featured jewelry selection is a bangle bracelet from the esteemed Marco Bicego jewelry collection. This delicate bracelet is set with a round-cut orange citrine and enhanced by the presence of white mother of pearl set opposite to it. The gemstones are set into 18 karat hand-engraved yellow gold for the perfect piece of jewelry to accompany you during the day and into the night.
Please click here to view more of Marco Bicego jewelry featuring orange citrine. All Marco Bicego jewelry is available for purchase on our website.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers offers bridal consultations for brides and grooms with the expert advice of its in-house bridal stylists and diamond specialists. King Jewelers offers brides and grooms a first-class experience, conveniently offering wholesale diamonds, custom designs for engagement rings and wedding bands, luxury designer bridal jewelry, watches for him, bridal party gifts, and gift registration, as well as engravings, appraisals, and expert jewelry cleaning. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is the luxury destination in Miami and Nashville for fine jewelry, diamonds, and Swiss timepieces. King Jewelers is Nashville diamonds and engagement rings wholesale store which specializes in bridal custom designs. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs. For additional information, please visit www.kings1912.com.

October Birthstone Spotlight: OPAL

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Make Technology

Symbolic of faithfulness and confidence, the Opal is prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found near the earth’s surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence.
This month’s featured birthstone jewelry piece is from the Private Label collection: Italian Opal Earrings. These Italian earrings feature faceted cushion-shaped white opal in 18 carat rose gold with a full-cut diamond accent on the French wire. For more information, visit Kings1912.com.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers offers bridal consultations for brides and grooms with the expert advice of its in-house bridal stylists and diamond specialists. King Jewelers offers brides and grooms a first-class experience, conveniently offering wholesale diamonds, custom designs for engagement rings and wedding bands, luxury designer bridal jewelry, watches for him, bridal party gifts, and gift registration, as well as engravings, appraisals, and expert jewelry cleaning. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is the luxury destination in Miami and Nashville for fine jewelry, diamonds, and Swiss timepieces. King Jewelers is Nashville diamonds and engagement rings wholesale store which specializes in bridal custom designs. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.

May Birthstone Spotlight: Emerald

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Make Technology

If you watched this year’s New York Fashion Week, you’ll know that blues and greens were the favored colors on the runway and the red carpet. As we settle into spring, this trend shows no sign of slowing down, which ties in perfectly with May’s birthstone, the emerald. This vibrant green gemstone has a long history of being a favorite gemstones among the world’s most powerful people, including the sultans of Topkapi, the Aztecs of South America, and Cleopatra of Egypt.
The most prized emeralds have a strong green color, have excellent clarity, and very few inclusions. However, emeralds of this quality are notoriously rare and thus the emerald remains one of the most expensive gemstones carat for carat. Emeralds of lesser quality are often cut into cabochons to make the inclusions less obvious. It’s no wonder then that this lovely gemstone has become representative of the goddess Venus, has been worn in the crown of Alexander the Great, and coveted by Cortez the conquistador.

Emeralds also come in a variety of green hues, partly depending on the region they were mined from. Colombia is considered by far the most desirable source for emeralds because its mines produce emeralds with a rich green color and occasionally the rare Trapiche emerald, which has six rays that originate from the center of the stone.	Emeralds from Zambia are often a very dark green, darker than Colombian emeralds on average, and they sometimes have a bluish cast.
Zimbabwe emeralds are smaller in size, but have a strong, bright green color with maybe an yellowish undercurrent.	Brazil also produces high-quality emerald, but the color is not as intense or as preferable as Colombian emeralds.

Outside of the runway, many celebrities have been spotted wearing May’s birthstone as well in dangling earrings or large necklaces. This goes to show that when blues and greens are no longer the trend, you’ll always be in style sporting a classic piece of emerald jewelry.

Amy Adams	Annette Bening	Celine Dion
Blake Lively	Reese Witherspoon

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers offers bridal consultations for brides and grooms with the expert advice of its in-house bridal stylists and diamond specialists. King Jewelers offers brides and grooms a first-class experience, conveniently offering wholesale diamonds, custom designs for engagement rings and wedding bands, luxury designer bridal jewelry, watches for him, bridal party gifts, and gift registration, as well as engravings, appraisals, and expert jewelry cleaning. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is the luxury destination in Miami and Nashville for fine jewelry, diamonds, and Swiss timepieces. King Jewelers is Nashville diamonds and engagement rings wholesale store which specializes in bridal custom designs. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs. For additional information, please visit www.kings1912.com.

April Birthstone Spotlight: Diamond

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Make Technology

The Greeks believed that diamonds were tears of the Gods. The Hindu name for the diamond means “lightening.” Without a doubt, there are few gemstones that have the kind of illustrious history that April’s birthstone possesses.
The diamond is the hardest material known to man and its name appropriately comes from the Greek word “adamastos,” which means “invincible.” Because of this, diamonds have been used for carving, cutting other gemstones, and engraving. During the Middle Ages, diamonds were frequently used for medicinal purposes including consuming diamond powder, to holding a diamond and making the sign of the cross over one’s self. Royalty from around the world have worn them as imperial gems since the 13th century, but it wasn’t until the 16th century that the techniques involved with cutting diamonds improved enough to reveal the diamond’s full glittering potential. Diamonds also increased in popularity in the 19th century due to larger availability to the public.
Some famous musical April birthdays include:
Emmylou Harris
Loretta Lynn
Henry Mancini
Billie Holiday
Patrick Carney (The Black Keys)
Ella Fitzgerald
Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts)
Willie Nelson
If you want to show your April birthday pride, don’t feel bound by traditional diamonds! Most people envision a colorless gemstone when they think of diamonds, but diamonds come in a whole rainbow of colors. Yellow diamonds, the color caused by nitrogen impurities, is the most common colored diamond. Unrefined colored diamond “slices” have become popular in jewelry design for their raw look.