Entries by Susan Grant

The Remarkable Ruby

July 24, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

 

Rubies are a type of precious gemstone known for their ravishing red color. The gemstone derives its name from the Latin word”ruber,” meaning red, the color symbolizing love and passion. Few gemstones captivate the eye like the ruby, making it a cherished choice for those born in July Minerally, ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamonds. The shade of red depends on the level of chromium and iron content in the ruby.

Origins and Treatments

Rubies, each with its unique story and origin, hold the power to captivate and inspire. From the vibrant Burmese rubies with their distinctive deep purplish-red hues to the rich reddish-brown rubies found in Thailand and Sri Lanka, each gemstone carries a piece of the earth’s history and beauty. These precious stones are transformed through various cutting techniques, treatments and enhancements, revealing their inner brilliance and allure. The pursuit of unaltered deep red rubies represents the search for genuineness and purity, showcasing the exceptional and extraordinary in a world of boundless possibilities.

Ruby in the rough – photo courtesy of GIA

Polished cushion cut ruby – photo courtesy of GIA

A few beautiful examples of our fine jewelry showcasing rubies

Royal Rubies

Rubies are often associated with passion, protection, and love. They have been used in the crowns and tiaras of royals such as the exceptionally beautiful Burmese Ruby Tiara with its intricate design and symbolic use of rubies. A favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, it was commissioned by the Queen herself from the 96 rubies given to her by the people of Burma (now Myanmar) as a wedding gift. It’s said that the Burmese people believed the rubies would protect their queen from the 96 diseases that can afflict the body. The stones were placed in the shape of The Tudor rose around the tiara as a nod to the Royal Family’s history. It’s amazing how gemstones like rubies have been woven into royal traditions and beliefs across different cultures.

Rubies in Popular Culture

In the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz,” a tornado whisks away the protagonist Dorothy and she wakes up to find she’s not in Kansas anymore. During her journey to get back home, she’s gifted a pair of magical ruby slippers that hold the power to transport her back home if she clicks the heels three times while repeating “There’s no place like home.”

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Harry Winston created real ruby slippers set with 4,600 rubies - Courtesy Harry Winston via GIA

Alexandrite…..The Gem of Royalty and Wonder

July 10, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

At Grants Jewelry, we believe Alexandrite, June’s exquisite and optically unique birthstone, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. That’s why we’ve put together these captivating facts about this remarkable gemstone for you to enjoy. A Color-Changing Phenomenon This magical gemstone changes color depending on the light source it is exposed to, making it a true […]

The Power of gold

April 8, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

  The Power of GOLD Imagine… millions of years ago, glittering stars of fire raining down on our planet and forming the precious metal many of us love so much – GOLD! In the beginning, exploding stars bombarded our planet and showered the prized element all over the Earth’s surface. Gold has captivated humanity since […]

Celebrating Women

March 21, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

As the sun rises on International Women’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible women who grace our world, including you! Their strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit inspire us every single day. But let’s not limit our celebration to just one day. All women, deserve to be celebrated and empowered every single […]

Quick Facts About February’s Birthstone, The Amethyst!

February 6, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

The name derives from the Greek “amethystos”, which means “not drunken”, as Amethyst in antiquity was thought to ward off drunkenness. Amethyst is believed to inspire courage, calm, and contemplation. In fact, Egyptian soldiers would wear amethyst in battle in order to retain their courage. The color purple was traditionally the color of royalty, and […]

Radiant November Beauty: Topaz, the Gem of Fire and Desire

October 28, 2023 /0 Comments/in /by

November heralds the arrival of autumn, a season of transition and transformation. And what better way to celebrate this month than with a gemstone that embodies the fiery colors of fall and the desire for warmth and beauty? Topaz, the birthstone of November, is a captivating gem that has enthralled jewelry enthusiasts for centuries. In […]

Meet The Heirlooms We Made For Laura

October 26, 2023 /0 Comments/in /by

Laura came to me to create a ring for an oval emerald and several accent diamonds that were set in a ring that her mother gave her for her 16th birthday. Sadly, Laura’s mom passed unexpectedly at a young age. While the ring meant the world to Laura, it was not practical for every day […]

Opal: The Magical Gem of October

October 2, 2023 /0 Comments/in /by

October is a month filled with transition and transformation, as nature changes its colors, and the chill of autumn settles in. It’s only fitting that October’s birthstone, the opal, reflects this dynamic and enchanting time of the year. Opals are gemstones known for their mesmerizing play of colors and unique, otherworldly appearance.  Explore the fascinating […]

September’s Birthstone: The Sapphire

August 31, 2023 /0 Comments/in , /by

A Sapphire is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, and is the birthstone for September. It is a very desirable gemstone due to its excellent color, hardness, durability, and luster. The only natural gemstone harder than Sapphire is Diamond. Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800 BC. Rulers of ancient Persia believed […]

Your Signature Jewelry Style

August 21, 2023 /0 Comments/in , /by

Discovering Your Signature Jewelry Style: A Personal Jeweler’s Guide As a personal jeweler, I understand that jewelry is more than just an accessory; it’s a reflection of your personality, style, and individuality. Your choice of jewelry can speak volumes about who you are, and finding your signature jewelry style is an exciting journey of self-discovery. […]

A Superpower Secret Weapon for the newest Rising Star Award Winner

July 9, 2023 /0 Comments/in /by

Congratulations Tjada, The 2023 HBS Women’s Association Rising Star Award Winner Congratulations to the 2023 HBS Women’s Association Rising Star Award Winner.  Tjada McKenna has dedicated her career to bringing economic opportunity and poverty alleviation to the most underserved communities in the world. Currently, Tjada serves as the CEO of Mercy Corps, a humanitarian aid […]

The Most Expensive Pearl Dinner in History

June 5, 2023 /1 Comment/in /by

Among the most colorful tales in the pearl world is that of a legendary banquet, where Cleopatra bet Marc Antony that she could host the most expensive dinner in history. According to author and noted pearl expert Fred Ward, in his book, Pearls, the queen hoped to impress Antony and the Roman Empire he represented with the extent […]

Pearls: Natural Beauties Require Your TLC

June 3, 2023 in /by

In addition to their exceptional beauty, pearls bring back fond memories of my mother.  Early on in my career, I sent her to be certified in Pearl and Bead stringing, and she then began working with me.  Every time I look at a strand of pearls, I think of the hours we spent working alongside […]

Blue Topaz: A December Birthstone

December 14, 2021 /1 Comment/in /by

Blue is the most popular topaz color in today’s jewelry marketplace. It is sold in a broad range of blue colors, starting from a pale blue with a light tone and saturation, all the way to a deep blue with a moderate to dark tone and saturation. Blue topaz is rare as natural topaz is […]

Turquoise: Soul Satisfying Color and Multi Layered History

December 7, 2021 /1 Comment/in /by

Azure sky, robin’s egg blue: Vivid shades of turquoise define the color that’s named after this gem.  Its color can range from dull greens to grass greens to a bright, medium-toned, sky blue. People value turquoise highly for its combination of ancient heritage and unforgettable color. In addition to using turquoise in jewelry, it is […]

Craftsmanship That Began Centuries Ago Is Alive and Well Today in NYC

September 27, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

Recently, two valuable finds unearthed precious metals and gemstones. First, freedivers off the coast of Spain uncovered a treasure trove of 53 perfectly preserved gold coins from the Roman Empire, one of the largest collections ever found in Europe.  Scientists from the University Institute for Research in Archeology and Historical Heritage analyzed the coins. They […]

Rubies: Just the Facts!

July 5, 2021 in /by

 

This month we turn our attention to rubies.  What do you know about the Ruby?  Following, seven facts about rubies:

  1. Ruby is one of the four precious gemstones. The others are emerald, sapphire, and diamond.
  2. The word ruby comes from the Latin rubens, which means red.  Rubies are found in many shades of red, from rich darkish red to pigeon blood red and pinkish red.   The red hue comes from traces of the mineral chromium.  The most precious rubies are those with a full, rich red color with just a hint of blue tones.
  3. A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires.
  4. Ruby is the birthstone for July. It is also a traditional gift for those celebrating 15th or 40th anniversaries.
  5. Rubies are extremely strong, registering 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are as resilient as sapphires and only slightly softer than diamonds.
  6. Rubies have been found all over the world, including in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Africa, Australia and the USA.  Most of the finest rubies were mined in Myanmar, thus the finest rubies are now known as “Burmese Rubies”.
  7. Almost all rubies have flaws –  Rubies without imperfections are exceptionally rare.  In fact, that is one way that a ruby is authenticated – if it has no inclusions, it is likely not a genuine ruby!

Sources:  GIA.edu, Wikipedia; Images:  GIA.edu, Cover Image: Getty Images / Dawid Wapenaar / EyeEm



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Meet June’s Birthstone: The Majestic Pearl

June 1, 2021 in , /by

“The rarest things in the world, next to a spirit of discernment, are diamonds and pearls.” -Jean de la Bruyere The World’s Oldest Gem The discovery of the pearl is not attributed to any one person in particular.  It is believed that they were first discovered by people searching for food along the seashore. A […]

Beach Jewelry Care

May 28, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

Summer is all about sunshine. After all, you deserve that peaceful relaxation only found when you spend a weekend or even a week at the beach.  Unfortunately, your jewelry is not quite as fond of the sun and the sand. Between the wind, water and sand, there is a lot that can damage your jewelry.  Sun exposure […]

International Tiara Day

May 24, 2021 /1 Comment/in /by

International Tiara Day is celebrated on May 24th each year, appropriately on the birthday of Queen Victoria. Since so many girls and women admire tiaras, but there are very few events to which one can appropriately wear one, International Tiara Day was created.  As a symbol of social status and power, men and women have adorned their heads with […]

A Token of Life and Eternal Love

May 19, 2021 /2 Comments/in /by

In it’s original concept, the eternity ring dates back to the Egyptians, 4000 years ago.   The significance of eternity rings also comes from Old Egypt, where the circle was a powerful symbol that represented eternity. The Egyptians also believed that the bond of marriage between a man a woman was so strong it could not […]

The History of The Wedding Ring

May 1, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

The origin of wedding rings is a fascinating one. The tradition of exchanging rings dates back 3,000 years.  So why are rings the ultimate symbol of romance? Believe it or not, It all started with a faulty premise!  Ancient Egyptians believed that the fourth finger of the left hand contained a “vena amoris” or “vein of love” […]

Beyond The Z Range: Fancy Colored Diamonds

April 25, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

Diamonds in the normal color range are colorless. They are described using an industry defined color scale from D to Z.  Fancy color diamonds, on the other hand, exhibit color beyond the Z range. These rare specimens come in every color of the spectrum. The world’s first diamond color-grading system dates back to sixth-century India. The […]

Capture the Wonders of Nature

April 22, 2021 /1 Comment/in /by

What if you could capture the world’s most precious elements in a beloved piece of jewelry that you could wear every day?   Well, in fact you can and probably already do.  Most of the components used to create jewelry begin with elements from the earth – precious metals and gemstones that are mined from the […]

Bloodstone: March’s Other Birthstone

March 22, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a variety of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz).  It is traditionally semi-translucent to opaque dark green jasper with red inclusions of iron oxides, especially hematite. Bloodstone’s alternate name heliotrope comes from the ancient Greek word that means “to turn the sun.” In ancient times, these March birthstones were believed to turn the […]

What Does Love Look Like To You?

February 10, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and no two love stories are the same.  Most great love stories have one thing in common though – the couple in love seems like they were “meant to be”.  They go together like cookies and cream, peanut butter and jelly, Bogey and Bacall – perfectly suited pairs! […]

Garnet: Five Fun Facts!

January 6, 2021 /0 Comments/in /by

There are plenty of interesting facts about garnet, primarily because it’s a stone with such a long history.  Here are just five of those facts, to whet your appetite for January’s beloved birthstone. Garnet dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Garnet dates as far back as 3800 BC. The gemstone was discovered in Egyptian art […]

Tourmaline: One of October’s Birthstones

October 12, 2020 /0 Comments/in /by

It’s easy to understand why people confuse tourmaline with other gems: the stone has a dazzling range of colors, from rich reds to pastel pinks and peach colors, intense emerald greens to vivid yellows and deep blues. People have probably used tourmaline as a gem for centuries, but they identified it as some other stone […]

Trending: The Jewelry You Need This Fall

September 13, 2020 /0 Comments/in /by

It’s time to take a peek at what’s trending this fall.  What should be under the tree this holiday season?  What will you see gracing the pages of your favorite magazines? Well, the industry tells us we should be on the lookout for links, pendants & charms, and pearls.  So get ready, cause Grants Jewelry […]

Super Deep Diamonds by Dr. Evan Smith

November 1, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

Dr. Evan Smith made a presentation on super deep diamonds last week at the GIA, NY Campus. His discussion and slide show on how diamonds form deep underground was fascinating. There is so much to learn about diamonds in the core of the earth. thank you Dr. Smith.               […]

Hello Fall!

October 5, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

The most colorful season of the year Fall is upon us and it’s a perfect time to tell you about this very special diamond bracelet we recently finished. This was a self purchase. Our client wanted a piece of jewelry to signify a recent and joyous experience in her life. The moment she saw the […]

Engin and Duygu…. Their Life Together Begins!

August 27, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

When Engin came to my showroom in NYC for the first time, he knew what he wanted for Duygu’s diamond engagement ring. His sister and mom accompanied him for support, but he had already learned about the 4C’s of diamonds and he had pictures of rings that she liked and a metal in mind. And we […]

In The Merry Merry Month Of May

June 6, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

EMERALD The Gem of Spring! The birthstone for May. Lively, Radiant, Lush… A Color of Elegance and Beauty that Enhances Our Sense of Well Being, Balance and Harmony.   Emerald History..did you know…. The oldest emeralds are about 2.97 billion years old. The first known emeralds were mined in Egypt around 1500 BC. “The Stone of Successful Love”, […]

Hay There!

April 16, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

Meet Lori and Zola. They are a such proud couple! Lori is often seen in the arena with Zola. They started competing this year and on their first meet they came in 5th out of 54 and 4th out of 27th. They in are in love and practically inseparable.  When Lori is not in her […]

Spoil The One Who Stole Your Heart

February 4, 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

Happy Engagement!  From Sergio: “We did a snow hike in the Rocky Mountains National Park, and when we got to the end of the trail, I proposed while we were standing on a frozen lake.  Kayla is completely and totally in love with the ring. The amount of compliments she has gotten about the ring is really […]

A Pedigreed Proposal

October 30, 2018 /0 Comments/in /by

Andrew and Karen are an impossibly cute couple. Although it could be that today’s grooms are going to more trouble, Andrew took things to a new level. For one, he put in surreptitious groundwork with his future bride, casually shopping while silently noting her preferences.  Then, he transformed himself an absolute expert in choosing the […]

Steven and Lee….the rap proposal

August 11, 2018 /0 Comments/in /by

Ten years together. They’re 30 years old now, gainfully employed and living the  dream… what could be better…..being engaged! Lee was total surprised by Steven’s rap proposal at her 30th birthday party. She new they would get married eventually but how he did it was awesome! We wish them a fantastic life together full of […]

A Rainbow of Fancy Colored Diamonds

April 9, 2018 /0 Comments/in /by

In diamonds, rarity equals value. With fancy color diamonds—the ones outside the normal color range—the rarest and most valuable colors are saturated pinks, blues, and greens. In all cases, even very slight color differences can have a big impact on value.

A Proposal Carved In Stone

August 22, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

Colorado State University Alum Kyle Griffin and Laura Krause met during their senior year at CSU.   Laura was the third generation in her family to graduate from the school.  When it came time to ask Laura to be his wife, Kyle knew he wanted CSU Football to be a part of his proposal, he just wasn’t […]

Diamonds In The Sky

August 8, 2017 /0 Comments/in /by

You are probably aware that on August 21, 2107, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse.  It will be one of the biggest astronomical events of the decade. Wait – What’s A Solar Eclipse Again? An eclipse is the alignment of the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. Around every 18 months […]

Meet the ‘Argyle Everglow’ – Rarity Within Rarity

July 29, 2017 in /by

Graeme Thompson, head of jewelry in Asia for British auction house Bonhams, handles beautiful diamonds on a daily basis. Yet even he has only held a red diamond once. In the 33 years that Rio Tinto has been showcasing stones from its Western Australian Argyle mine in Western Australia, less than 20 carats of Fancy Red […]

Precious Gems Shine at Lincoln Center

July 25, 2017 in , /by

  “Emeralds,” “Rubies” and “Diamonds” will dazzle as never before as three of the world’s top dance companies share the stage for the first time to mark the 50th anniversary of “Jewels,” currently on stage at Lincoln Center. Choreographer George Balanchine created Jewels in 1967; in three acts honoring the French, American and Russian styles […]

A Dog’s Appetite for Diamonds

July 20, 2017 in /by

Recently, British Couple Charlie Jackson and his wife Carol noticed her engagement ring was missing.  When the accompanying wedding ring was found on the floor, their search led them to their 9 month old dog, Bear.  A trip to the veterinarian and some X-rays confirmed that confirmed that the ring was indeed in black labrador’s belly! […]

What Determines The Quality of A Pearl?

June 27, 2017 in , /by

You may have seen Pearls referred to by “grade”:  A, AA, AA+, and AAA.  But how is that grade determined?  Much like the 4 C’s of Diamonds, there are established benchmarks to determine the quality of pearls.  Six factors are evaluated in order to determine the quality and therefore the value of pearls.  Those factors […]

Emeralds Want to Stay In The Spotlight

June 22, 2017 in /by

You may recall that Emeralds were our focus last month.  As the birthstone for the month of May, the gem was the featured stone on the website and the highlight of May’s Event here in the showroom.  Now, like many other jewelers, this month we turned our attention to Pearls, but it seems that the […]

Art Deco & The Jazz Age: Now Being Celebrated at Cooper-Hewitt

May 18, 2017 in , /by

The worldwide community of museums will celebrate International Museum Day on and around 18 May 2017.  The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. In 2016, International Museum […]

The Jewelry of The Art Deco Period

May 3, 2017 in , /by

“It was the style of the flapper girl and the factory, the luxury ocean liner and the skyscraper, the fantasy world of Hollywood and the real world of the Harlem Renaissance. Art Deco affected all forms of design, from the fine and decorative arts to fashion, film, photography, transport and product design. It was modern and […]

The Sapphire Event!

May 1, 2017 in , /by

Join Us Wednesday, Sept 22 from 4 -8pm for The 5th Annual Sapphire Event! Learn about Sapphires Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum. It is typically blue, but natural “fancy” sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors.  Prized throughout the ages, padparadscha sapphires are as beautiful and […]

April’s Last Look: Synthetic Diamonds

April 30, 2017 in /by

Given the rarity and value of diamonds, it’s not surprising that some would seek ways to replicate their beauty. In recent years, laboratory-grown or synthetic diamonds have become more common, more advanced, and harder to detect. What is a Synthetic Diamond? A synthetic diamond is the result of a technological process, as opposed to the […]