Rhodolite Garnet - January Birthstone

Rhodolite is a rose-red form of garnet. It is usually an intermediary variety between the pyrope and almandine series, usually containing more magnesium than iron.

It is often regarded as a variety of pyrope. Rhodolite is 7 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Rhodolite has quickly grown into a standard jewelry gemstone. It has an attractive color, and is often very clean without flaws and inclusions. Rhodolite is not a scientific term, but it is used in the gemstone industry. In the trade it can be called either rhodolite garnet, or simply just rhodolite. The origin of the name is from the Greek word, "rhodon", meaning rose.

Rhodolite is gaining popularity in both fine and high-end jewellery. It has become a favoured alternative to the increasingly expensive ruby. Rhodolite garnets are never treated or enhanced.

Amber Is Myanmar's new Gold

The morning amber market on the outskirts of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, throngs with traders scrutinizing pieces of fossilised tree sap. The jade and ruby industries dwarf the amber trade, but amber can fetch big sums. Myo Swe's speciality are "inclusions", sap that has trapped parts of plants and animals in amber.

Snake in Amber

A feathered dinosaur tail was found last year that dated back some 99 million years. Amber, historically coveted as jewellery by nobility, enjoyed a revival in popular culture thanks to the 1990s hit movie "Jurassic Park".

Scorpion

The amber mining area in Kachin is the only Cretaceous period amber mining site in the world that is still engaged in commercial mining.

See ----->Amber
See ----->Blue Amber

Jewels on the Red Carpet

Van Cleef & Arpels

8-carat Royal Blue sapphire is the centerpiece of a diamond necklace by Graff.

DeBeers cocktail ring

Last week’s haute couture and high jewelry presentations in Paris unleashed new masterpieces.Louis Vuitton

Gucci

Dior

Cartier

Boucheron

Jewels shine in Paris for Couture Week

Paris becomes ground zero for the unveiling of high jewels during Couture Week. The Place Vendôme, Rue de la Paix and nearby venues showcase the newest creations.

Whimsical high jewels

Citrine, peridot diamond and gold owl brooch by Cartier

Van Cleef & Arpels

Tiffany & Co. – Gold Lobster brooch with pink sapphires, diamonds, spessartite garnet and emeralds.

Sorab & Roshi. Lame Duck pin with carved green tourmaline & lemon citrine feathers.

Donald Claflin

Donald Claflin

Boucheron

Boucheron

Cartier

Cartier

Chopard

Bvlgari