Are Sterling Silver Earrings Safe for Sensitive Ears? Nickel-Free, Explained
|Christy Wu
Sterling silver can be a good choice for sensitive ears—but what does a 925 stamp actually tell you? Discover the difference between nickel-free and hypoallergenic earrings, how gold plating affects...
Carnelian Meaning: The Stone Roman Officials Chose for a Practical Reason
|Christy Wu
Most gemstone histories are about status. Carnelian's is about stationery. Roman officials carved their signet rings from carnelian for a reason that had nothing to do with beauty: hot sealing...
Malachite needs more care around water than almost any stone in common use. Brief contact will not destroy a piece, but it should not be soaked, worn swimming, or cleaned...
Green Gemstone Jewellery: Which Green Do You Actually Want?
|Christy Wu
Green has held attention longer than most colours, and emerald takes most of the credit. But emerald is expensive, fragile and dark under lamplight, which makes it the wrong answer...
Yes. Aquamarine is one of the more water-tolerant coloured gemstones. At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale it is hard, and it is not porous, so hand-washing, rain and...
Amazonite Meaning: Why It's Called the 'Stone of Hope'
|Christy Wu
Some stones you save for a special occasion. Amazonite is one you'll reach for on an ordinary Tuesday. Its soft, watery blue-green colour goes with everything, and the meaning behind...
Blue Gemstone Jewellery: Six Blues and How to Tell Them Apart
|Christy Wu
Blue is the colour people ask for most often and describe least precisely. "Something blue" covers stones with almost nothing in common beyond the word: opaque and transparent, ancient and...
Freshwater, Baroque or Keshi? These Three Words Aren't Describing the Same Thing
|Christy Wu
Almost every guide compares freshwater, baroque and keshi pearls as though they were three options on a menu. They are not. They are three different kinds of word, and once...
