Karat or carat? They sound identical but measure two different things: one is the purity of gold, the other the weight of a gemstone. Here is the simple way to tell them apart, why 14K is such a sweet spot, and why chasing carat weight alone is not the way to choose a beautiful stone.
Category
Buying Guides
Expert buying guides for gemstone jewelry. Learn how to identify quality Rainbow Moonstone, choose the right bracelet size, spot dyed gemstones, and build a collection with confidence.
That $100 gold-plated bracelet might seem like a deal, but how much will you spend replacing it? Here’s the real math on gold-plated vs gold-filled vs solid gold jewelry, with cost-per-year breakdowns based on years of experience making and repairing jewelry in my workshop.
Most people only know Blue Sapphires, but this gemstone comes in pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, and even color-changing varieties. Here’s a walk through the full Sapphire rainbow from a designer who sources and works with every color.
After making jewelry for over 5,000 customers, here’s what I’ve learned about which gemstone colors look best on warm, cool, and neutral skin tones, and when to forget the rules and follow your instinct instead.
Which colored gemstones are durable enough for an engagement ring you’ll wear every day? An honest guide from a jewelry designer covering Sapphire, Tourmaline, Garnet, Moonstone, and Opal, with the truth about hardness, settings, and what really matters.
Labradorite looked like an ordinary grey stone until I tilted it and that incredible blue flash appeared. Here’s what creates that magical effect, how Labradorite compares to Moonstone, and what I look for when selecting stones for my jewelry designs.
Should your bridesmaids all wear the same jewelry or different pieces? Three approaches that work beautifully: all matching, coordinated with the same stone, or intentionally mismatched. A jewelry designer’s tips for creating sets your wedding party will love.
Not all gemstones are equally tough. After years of designing jewelry, here’s how I decide which stones go into rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, based on real-world durability and the Mohs hardness scale.
More brides are choosing colored gemstones over Diamonds, and the results are stunning. From Moonstone as “something blue” to dramatic Opals and Sapphires, here’s how to pick gemstone wedding jewelry that makes your photos unforgettable.
No need to visit a jeweler to find your ring size. All you need is a thread or paper strip and a ruler. Two easy methods, an EU to US conversion chart, tips for wide bands vs thin rings, and how to measure someone else’s finger for a surprise gift.
- 1
- 2


















