Blog

The question “Unheated Sapphire Premiums: Are Geneva and New York Dealers Aligned?” matters because unheated sapphires are a small, high-value slice of the gem market. Unheated stones are rarer and their price depends on origin, color, clarity, size, and documentation. Geneva (with major auction houses and specialist dealers) and New York (a mix of retail […]

Fluorescence IRL: Why Some Stones Glow on Cloudy Days in London but Not in LA Walk across Trafalgar Square on an overcast afternoon and a ruby or certain diamonds can appear to “glow.” Stand under the bright sun in Los Angeles and the same stone looks ordinary. That difference is not superstition. It’s physics, chemistry,

Intro: Choosing between a 14-day and a 30-day return window changes how you try jewelry at home. The length of the window affects what you can test, what you should avoid, and how quickly you must act. This article explains the practical differences and gives step-by-step strategies so you avoid voiding a return or losing

Intro: Many collectors believe that scoring a hot Rolex — think Submariner 124060 (41mm), GMT-Master II 126710 (40/41mm), or Daytona 126500 (40mm) — is easier in European boutiques than at U.S. authorized dealers (ADs). That idea spreads because of anecdotes from travelers and social media. The reality is more complex. Whether an EU boutique is

Old European vs Old Mine Cut: Can You Tell at a Glance? (Photo Guide) Antique diamond cuts tell a story about tools, taste, and technology. Old Mine and Old European cuts are common in vintage jewelry. They look similar at first. But you can learn to tell them apart in photos by focusing on shape,

Choosing between “recycled” and “Fairmined” gold is a values decision and a supply-chain question. Both labels mean something, but they answer different problems. Recycled gold reduces demand for new mining. Fairmined gold supports small-scale miners and their communities. In 2025, neither label is a one-size-fits-all guarantee. You need to know what each standard actually covers,

Intro: Appraisals decide how much your insurer will pay if a ring is lost, stolen, or damaged. Many Americans and Europeans assume an appraisal equals protection. They don’t. Mistakes in appraisals — and in how policies treat them — lead to denied claims, underinsurance, or paying too much in premiums. This guide covers the appraisal

Intro: Traveling with fine jewelry raises two questions: what happens when your pieces go through airport security, and how do you protect their value and avoid hassles with TSA or Schengen-area checkpoints? This guide explains the screening process, what security officers look for, and practical steps to keep jewelry safe and compliant. I’ll explain the

Intro — Deciding whether to sell a diamond in Paris or Miami comes down to paperwork, buyer types, taxes, and what kind of stone you have. Both cities are active jewelry markets, but they pay differently depending on size, quality, certification and whether you sell mounted or loose. Below I break down the real factors

Intro Are lab-grown diamond prices higher in Europe in 2025? Short answer: sometimes — but it depends on where you buy, the stone’s specs, and whether the price you see includes taxes and setting costs. I compared representative retail prices in five European cities for two common lab-grown stones and explain the reasons behind the