Colored Stones

Los Angeles-Online pearl retailer PearlParadise.com has reached its goal of donating $1 million in pearl jewelry to charities nationwide, the company has announced.

The 840-pound Bahia Emerald, the world's largest rough emerald, remains in the custody of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department as the court battle to determine its rightful owner continues. Los Angeles--The long-running dispute over who owns the 840-pound Bahia Emerald rough that was unearthed back in 2001 could be resolved by the end of the month.

New York--From Christine Brandt's amazonite ring on hand-carved olive wood to Jewelmer's dramatic golden South Sea pearl necklace, many of the standout styles splayed out for editors at Jewelry Information Center (JIC)'s 2011 trend preview luncheon were of the colored gemstone variety.

Temple St. Clair is a New York City-based jewelry designer who speaks out on humanitarian and environmental issues. She is encouraging other jewelers to find alternatives to using precious coral in fine jewelry. Inspiration for jewelry and fashion design comes from many different places and influences, but perhaps no influence is as universal as the natural world around us.

Rubies are among the most sought-after gems, and Myanmar (formerly Burma) is the historic source of the finest rubies. This necklace is set with almost 84 carats of unheated Burmese rubies; courtesy of Mona Lee Nesseth Custom and Estate Jewels and a private collector; photo by Robert Weldon, copyright Gemological Institute of America. Ruby and sapphire are among history's most coveted gems, with fashioned stones dating back to ancient Greece, India, and Asia.

London--Over the years, Chicago residents have strolled past life-sized "Cows on Parade" statues and Washington, D.C., denizens have corralled "Party Animals," an outdoor art exhibit of brightly decorated elephant and donkey statues.

Basel, Switzerland--The Swiss Gemmological Insititute (SSEF) in Basel, Switzerland, says that large quantities of saltwater pearls it has received for certification in recent weeks turned out to be cultured keshi pearls, despite being described as natural keshi pearls.

New York--The Aurora Diamond Butterfly of Peace, a legacy artwork featuring 240 natural fancy-colored diamonds shaped into the form of a butterfly, will be on view at a new gems and minerals exhibition opening this weekend in San Diego.

"Eye Candy" marketing images such as the one above are now available to retailers via the American Gem Trade Association's online Stock Photography Collection and can be used in marketing materials, both in-store and online. Dallas--The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is offering a sweet treat for jewelers. The industry association for the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl sector has expanded its online Stock Photography Collection to include more than 50 new gemstone and jewelry images, including photos from its popular "Eye Candy" marketing campaign.

After its 2010 Congress in Munich, Germany, CIBJO released its Pearl Book to the trade. Milan, Italy--Jewelers and manufacturers that sell cultured pearls have a new set of guidelines in regards to nomenclature, grading standards and terminology thanks to the recent release of a new Pearl Book from CIBJO.