Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
August Birthstone Baubles
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator highlights jewels featuring the August mainstay, peridot, as well as the newly added birthstone for the month, spinel.
I’ve been eagerly waiting to write this blog post ever since the news came out that Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association were adding spinel as a birthstone for the month of August, joining peridot.
Just before JA and the AGTA made the announcement, National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff and I had been having a discussion about why spinel wasn’t yet a birthstone. (My first thought was to swap it with April since diamonds get enough attention now and give those birthday people some gemmy love.)
For another, I love spinel, and I’m incredibly jealous of the August babies. (Michelle’s birthday is in August and she’s very excited about it. In fact, she even was kind enough to drop birthday “hints” on the show floors by pointing out peridot and spinel pieces.)
Spinel comes in so many great colors. Not only are the classic pinks a shade that I would die for, but there are also interesting hues that get even less attention--hello, lavender spinel, anyone? It’s amazing. Also, check out gray spinel; not what I was expecting and so subtle and interesting.
And don’t forget the blue-purple hues. Black spinel, meanwhile, offers a killer price point. (If it’s not already clear, I’m a major gem hound who can’t choose because I want all of them.)
I’m so excited about the fact that this lovely stone will get put in front of more consumers. It deserves the attention and I’m hoping that it’s new positioning will help invigorate the gem.
Most of the time, when I brought up the fact that spinel now was a birthstone, whomever I was talking to shared in my excitement. Interestingly, though, I was having the discussion with a designer at the JA New York show who wondered how the spinel addition would affect peridot, which was her best-selling stone.
But, I think peridot’s pretty set. It’s positioning as a birthstone has given it a permanent place in the gemstone world. I don’t think it’s going anywhere. And for those to whom the green hue might not be the most appealing, spinel will offer them plenty of other great options.
Here are 12 pieces of jewelry showcasing the birthstones for August.
These 18-karat gold studs from Rina Limor feature hand-carved peridot and diamonds ($1,100).
RinaLimor.com
Jane Taylor’s vintage-inspired ring features peridot, green tourmaline cabochons and diamond accents set in 14-karat gold ($1,675).
JaneTaylor.com
Zaiken
ZaikenJewelry.com
Stefere Jewelry’s 18-karat gold peridot “Terri” ring with diamonds ($3,000)
Stefere.com
Amy Glaswand’s “Ceres Block” hoops are made in 18-karat gold and feature peridot baguettes ($3,970).
AmyGlaswand.com
Etho Maria’s 18-karat gold cuff features 121.63 carats of peridot accented with diamonds ($37,500).
EthoMaria.com
This 14-karat rose gold ring from Stuller features an oval pink spinel center stone ($2,835).
Stuller.com
Syna’s medium-sized Mogul drop pendant features a black spinel weighing more than 50 carats with diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold ($2,450 for pendant only; 30-inch 18-karat yellow gold chain sold separately, $1,650)
SynaJewels.com
Carelle’s spinel and diamond stack bangle in 18-karat yellow gold ($5,200)
Carelle.com
This ring from Omi Privé is handcrafted with a 2.16-carat oval spinel center stone accented with brilliant diamond rounds set in 18-karat rose gold ($9,750). (Photo credit: Omi Privé)
OmiPrive.com
The “Gallop” ring from Gumuchian boasts a 7.53-carat titanium spinel with diamond surrounds set in 18-karat gold ($10,000).
Gumuchian.com
Erica Courtney’s 18-karat yellow gold “Jennifer” pendant features a 3.60-carat Mahenge spinel accented with diamonds ($56,400). It hangs on an 18-karat yellow gold gemstone station necklace with 11.62 total carats of Mahenge spinel and 4 carats of diamonds ($58,000).
EricaCourtney.com
The Latest
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.