Marnie Stern Jewelry

Jade – The Chinese Diamond

Whereas Western culture fell in love with diamonds, the Chinese found the quartz based jade and it became their special stone. Holding great significance in all of Oriental culture, the jade is a softer stone, opaque in nature and highly usable for both jewelry and other art objects.

The first jade deposits were discovered in China, of course, in such large supply that the stone was used for even utilitarian and ceremonial objects. Jade is thought of in terms of traditional green but the rarer jades are white or black and found in very small deposits in Asia. So in Chinese culture, those were used more for precious jewelry.
Jade has such huge connotations in all of Chinese culture that it has come to mean many things. It was thought that smoking a jade pipe would give the user longevity, and that resting a brush on a jade stone would make a calligrapher better. However, the Chinese dont hold a corner on the historical market. The Maori of New Zealand also consider it a treasure and it is now a protected entity in that country. They made mostly weapons and tools from it but evolved uses into decoration as well. It is a lesser grade of jade and quite popular as a souvenir to take home from a visit to New Zealand.

Whether worn as jewelry and encased in gold, or carved as sculpture or beads, the jade remains a very popular stone. The grades can range from highly rare whites and black to very inexpensive jadeite that comes in brighter greens, pinks, oranges or browns and is often found in less expensive jewelry. The ability to shape and work with the stone keeps it a favorite in every generation of artisans and jewelry makers, and its availability keeps it affordable for whomever falls in love with its feel and its color. jewelry packaging

Sapphire – The Stone As Blue As The Sea

Even though there is a huge difference between the red and blue of rubies and sapphires, they are usually found in the same mines. The best sapphires are of such a pure blue, they are not only beautiful but the good ones can be rare.

First found in Asia, like rubies, some deposits have been found in Australia and even in the United States but never in huge amounts. There are so many secondary colors of sapphires that they really should have their own names because they come in pinks and salmon colors as well as brown. Those have become popular because they are much less expensive than the deep, dark and clear blue ones. Theres even the star sapphire which was for a long time popular as a mans gem. It is more opaque with a star burst of white at its center. Stunning and simple at the same time. Synthetic sapphires were made early on and very easily so the stone also provided industrial uses in lasers.

Early significance with the sapphire came largely from the star variety and ancient Egyptians thought it referred to the sun but history also notes that prior to the Roman Empire very little use was made of them. The sapphire today is usually paired with diamonds and set in white gold or platinum. It is an icy look which appeals to many people and is considered one of the most elegant of precious stones. Because there are so many grades of sapphires – and they are all beautiful – it can be afforded by almost anyone. Because they come in so many colors, that also adds to their popularity. Yet it is the sapphires which are the color of the darkest sea that are the most important of all. sea glass jewelry

Who Is Doris Payne? A 79 Year Old Jewel Thief

Very recently a woman named Doris Payne was arrested in Southern California at a upscale shop for stealing a Burberry raincoat. Her mugshot shows a white-haired, sweet faced African American woman. The type youd be pleased to have as a next door neighbor. But not so fast. Doris Payne is an international jewel thief and has been for more than 50 years.

Paynes rather remarkable career began in Pittsburgh many years ago. She was the daughter of an out of work coal miner and took up theft when she had no work at age 23. Apparently, on her first job she took a $22,000 diamond ring from a posh jewelry store and just walked out with it. Her career took off from there and she worked at her craft all over the world. Although she was arrested a number of times, the sentences were never for long and she was quickly back at work.

Her technique involved posing as a very well dressed woman looking for expensive rings to buy. She was charming and would be very engaging while asking an unsuspecting clerk to see many items. Eventually, she could manipulate the clerk and confuse them, and they would forget how many items were out. Most of the time she would just leave the store with one or two big rings on her fingers. At the time of her arrest, shed just gotten out of prison in Nevada for stealing a piece of jewelry at Neiman Marcus.

Jewelers had been warned for years about Payne through trade bulletins but she was so charming and pretty that no one thought anything ill of her. Youll be learning alot more about Doris Payne. Halle Berry will play her in a biopic movie coming out in the next year or so. turquoise jewelry history orient