Monday, September 29, 2025
Anticipation + 6 Ways To Save For Big Ticket Items
Thursday, September 18, 2025
The Cambridge Sapphire Parure
In 1934 when Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, granddaughter of George I of Greece and great granddaughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia married Prince George of Kent, the 4th son of George V and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom, her mother-in-law gave her the beautiful Cambridge Sapphire Parure, a family heirloom that was made for Queen Mary's grandmother, Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, who left the jewels to her daughter, Grand Duchess Augusta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen Mary’s aunt. In 1916, the aunt willed her sapphire parsue to her favorite niece, Queen Mary, who presented the set to her new daughter-in-law.
Ordinary people could never afford such magnificent pieces of jewelry consisting of a set of so many heirloom quality sapphires. Also, we never attend royal galas, so where could we wear them? A Trip to Walmart, down in the subway, or a TIME magazine pour?
Savvy Shoppers on a budget settle for commercial grade smaller stones but honestly can easily enjoy them just as much. Inspired by the Cambridge Sapphire Parsure, I picked a few lovely pieces sold by Macy’s, Belk, Saks and other department stores to illustrate how much we can love lesser pieces of jewelry! Each department store offers a wider selection to match every taste, and they run frequent sales making a jewelry splurge more affordable to an average



Monday, September 1, 2025
Demantoid Versus Tsavorite Garnets
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Demantoid Garnets |
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A demantoid Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3 is an andradite garnet while a tsavorite Ca3Al2Si3O12 is a grossular garnet.
Tsavorite is a rich, deep green like emeralds. Its color is derived from chromium and vanadium. A yellow tint from ferric iron is more characteristic of demantoid garnets.
A demantoid garnet has a higher dispersion and refractive index than a tsavorite garnet, giving it more fire*, brilliance* or sparkle.
A tsavorite garnet is harder, registering 7 - 7.5 on Mohs Hardness Scale compared to the softer demantoid garnet at 6.5 - 7.While both are rare mineral gemstones, high-quality demantoids (from Russia) are often considered the standard for green garnets and are highly sought after for their intense sparkle and rare horsetail inclusions. These inclusions are feathery golden threads of chrysotile that curve to resemble the tail of a horse.
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Tsavorite |
Thursday, August 28, 2025
High Jewelry Drops From 3 Elite Jewelers
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Old Navy For Jeans, Cotton & Linen Part II
4) Long-Sleeve Denim Jumpsuit - It has a spread collar, tie-belt waist, covered zipper; with chest, front and back pockets.