JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

Birthstone for july, Ruby. Major Sources, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri, Lanka, Madagascar, and Kenya.

Ruby has been the world's most valued gemstone for thousands of years. It gets its name from the Latin word ruber meaning "red color". The owner of a fine ruby was said to be assured of a fine life, peace with all men and his rank or land would never be taken from him. In the Judaeo-Christian view, the ruby is the most precious of the twelve stones God created when he created all creatures, and this "lord of gems" was placed on Aaron's neck by God's command. Ruby was said to preserve wealth and remove evil thoughts.

Among the multitude of legends and strange beliefs of ancient times, it was thought that the wearer of a ruby was blessed with health, wealth, wisdom and outstanding success in the "heart affairs". Furthermore, the wearer acquired the ability to live in peace with his enemies. In some places ruby was even thought to confer invulnerability.

Rubies come in many shades of red. Sometimes people refer to the finest pure red color as "Burma ruby" or "pigeon's blood". Rubies over 3ct very fine quality are very scarce. One of the finest faceted rubies sold at Sotheby's in 1988 for $3,630,000- this was a 15.97ct stone.

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

One of the birthstones for June is the pearl. Traditionally, the pristine pearl known as the "bride's jewel". The beauty of the pearl, natural or cultured, lies in the evenness and color of the overlapping layers of nacre which the oyster deposits upon an organic intruder into his shell. This may occur by accident, as in the case of natural pearls, or by design as in the case of the man-inserted nucleus of the cultured pearl.

There are many grades and prices of cultured pearls and natural pearls. Please visit us today to see your unique selection.

Jewelry Trivia

Rings made in the 14th-17th century are often found with secret messages engraved inside that only the wearer knew. What name is given to these?

Posey Rings, Pledge Rings, Regard Rings or Gemmel Rings

Hypoallergenic

What does hypoallergenic mean?

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines hypoallergenic as “less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other comparable preparations or goods;...” Allergic reactions may occur from any type of jewelry that contacts the skin, whether it be plastic, ceramic or metal. It occurs as moisture leaches chemicals or metal ions out of the jewelry material. Plated metal or jewelry composed of several metals are especially prone to causing allergic reactions due to an elec­trochemical reaction that happens between dissimilar metals in the presence of moisture.

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

Emerald, the birthstone for May, is dedicated to Venus, goddess of love. To some ancients it meant eternal youth and faithfulness or lovers. Cleopatra had an almost inexhaustable supply of emeralds from her mines in Egypt. Most genuine emeralds contain tiny inclusions. Their greatest beauty lies in the color which should be a rich green with blue overtones.

Emeralds are a very popular stone. Stop in and see our fine selection.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

The Chinese divided jade into nine colors, but fine jade in all these colors is perhaps best described by Confucius when he said "It is of warm liquid like benevolence; it is solid, strong and firm like politeness. When struck, it gives out a pure, far-reaching sound like magic, and like truth, it gives out a bright rainbow. There is no one that does not value it."

With a world-wide history to enhance their values, jade rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings and bracelets are becoming more popular in America, where jade is both bright green highly translucent and highly valued. Stop in and see our selection.

Mother's Day just around the corner, give her the gift of jade.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

"Adamas", the Greek word meaning indomitable or unconquerable, is the word from which the diamond was named. As April's birthstone, ancient lore attributes to the diamond the belief that the wearing of a diamond by those born in April would bring marital happiness and good fortune, ensure victory and give superior strength and courage. A diamond is, in fact, "forever", symbolizing lasting love.

We have a variety of diamond jewelry and unique gifts from which to choose gifts symbolizing love, friendship and affection.

We will check and clean your diamond jewelry FREE for the month of April. Limit 3 pieces per customer. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-6.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

Aquamarine, an alternate March birthstone, has long been considered the symbol of happiness and everlasting youth. In the Middle Ages, it was supposed to give the wearer insight and foresight, and to cure insomnia. In 1910 a Aquamarine crystal was found in Brazil that weighed 243 pounds! It was 19 inches long and 16 inches wide, and the British Museum of Natural History has a flawless, sea-green aqua which weighs 880 carats.

Our aquamarine gems stones aren't that large but we do have some beautiful stones suitable for mountings. Please stop in and see our large selection of loose gems.

FREE jewelry cleaning for the month of March. Limit 3 pieces per customer. Spring clean your jewelry today at Athena Jewelers, the art of it all. Become our FAN on Facebook.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

The first important gold find in the U.S. was in North Carolina in 1799. Another find occurred in Georgia in 1827. When gold was discovered in California in 1849, almost half a million hopeful prospectors came from all parts of the world. In nine years, over twenty-four million ounces of gold were found in the new fields. When gold was discovered in Alaska in 1896, only about 4,000 of some 60,000 prospectors found some gold, with only a few hundred making really big strikes.

You'll find exactly what you want at Athena Jewelers. We can custom design any style of jewelry in gold, silver and platinum. . . or, bring in any of your broken items to be repaired if new jewelry is not an option. NEED CASH? WE WILL ALSO BUY YOUR OLD GOLD.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

Those born in the month of March have a choice of two birthstones. The aquamarine is thought to promote industriousness while the bloodstone promotes courage and prevents the loss of blood.

When you want an extra nice gift for someone special, come to us first. We have a fine selection of great jewelry items, and can arrange a purchase plan to suit your budget.

Take advantage of our March madness sale on all pearl jewelry in stock as well as other savings on jewelry repair and design.

Find us on Facebook - Athena Jewelers, the art of it all and become our FAN.

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

The thousand faces of gold jewelry provide a mystic allure undiminished over the last thousand years. Gold today symbolizes love, truth and beauty, as it has throughout history. Gold shines for centuries. Like the diamond, gifts in gold are "forever". Well-designed gold jewelry defies the changing whims of fashion, so that whatever you buy will never lose its appeal.

Come in and let us help you design that perfect piece to be treasured for a lifetime. We also will REPAIR any of your gold jewelry and silver jewelry. All work is done in the store by Danna Lea with over 30 years of experience.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna

Of the world's most precious metals, only gold combines rarity, easy workability and virtual indestructibility with lustrous beauty. Gold has been treasured by all throughout history. It is seldom lost...nearly every ounce ever found is still around somewhere, although it may have been re-melted many times through the centuries.

You're invited to bring in your gold jewelry for us to clean and inspect FREE during the month of February. You might like to use your old gold and create a unique custom piece, we will be glad to aid you in the design process. Or, opt to sell your old gold towards a new purchase or for cash . We are open Mon. thru Sat. 10-6 for your convience. After hour appointments welcome, please call.

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

There are many interesting things about precious gems and fine jewelry from both an historical standpoint and the gemological side. Did you know that ruby and sapphire are both the same gem mineral called corundum? Only when the sapphire attains a certain shade of red can it be called a ruby; otherwise it is pink sapphire. Other "sister" gems are emerald and aquamarine, both members of the Beryl family.

In buying jewelry, it is important to get to know your jeweler! Come in.... lets get acquainted.

FREE long stem rose and card with purchase until Valentines Day. Need CASH we buy GOLD!

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

One of the most charming Greek legends connected with the beautiful stone amethyst, February's birthstone, has been its traditional association with protection against drunkeness. Amethyst has been given many other attributes and all of them are good. A few of its powers are: control of evil thoughts, quicken intelligence, protetion from contagious diseases, to calm evil passions and protect the warrior from battle wounds.

Come in and see our selection of fine gem stones today.

FREE long stem rose and card with purchase Feb. 1st thru Feb. 14th. Happy Valentines from

Athena Jewelers.

JEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

Although we know that the sun rises and sets on a regular schedule, from the beginning of history it has been important for man to know "What time is it?". Cavemen used a pointed stick and a circle of stones to make a sundial. Generations followed with other rudimentary devices. Finally, the mechanical clock driven by wheels and weights followed by the coiled mainspring and the first known wristwatch about 1571.

Today, modern technology has brought the watch to the peak of accuracy and beauty. Please come in and see our fine selection of unique watches.

NEED MONEY- WE BUY GOLD!

jEWELRY JOTTINGS by Danna

During the Dark Ages, Northern European countries obtained pearls from the rivers. These were not as lustrous as pearls from the sea, which were more greatly prized by the nobility and wealthier classes. During the 13th century, pearls were prized as medicine as well as gems. Wealthy patients were given powdered pearls for mental disease. Pearls were also thought to purify the blood.

If it makes you sick to think of lovely pearls ground up as medicine, have one of ours mounted in a ring or pin. Stop in and see our pearls today! Thank your for shopping local and buying handcrafted jewelry at Athena Jewelers.

Times are tough, we will help you out by buying your scrap gold.

Jewelry Jottings by Danna Lea

GOT SILVER?

Silver is a soft metal in its pure form, too soft to be used for jewelry and other items. The solution is to mix it with other metals to make it more durable. A popular silver mixture, called an alloy, is known as Sterling Silver. By law, jewelry sold in th U.S. cannot be marked or described as silver, solid silver, or sterling silver unless it is at least 92.5% pure silver. Copper is the most common metal used to round out the 7.5% alloy balance in sterling silver. It adds hardness to pure silver, but with it the tendency to tarnish.

We carry a extensive collection of handcrafted silver jewelry by artist local to global. In this industry, finding a reputable silversmith is few and far between. We are proud to inform you that we will repair any and all of your silver jewelry. Come in and view our selection today.

Jewelery Jottings by Danna Lea

Happy New Year 2010! January's birthstone is the garnet, which is normally thought of as a beautiful red stone. However; it is also found in orange, olive and even emerald green! The color is determined by the combination of metallic oxides in the stone, with some colors being more rare than others.

A birthstone makes a beautiful and perfect gift. We carry all birthstones as well as other gem stones and custom gold jewelry. Our products are certain to please you and come with a complete guarantee of satisfaction.

Athena Jewelers has been servicing downtown Athens with all your jewelry needs for 20 years this August. This month receive 20% or more off any purchase through out the gallery. Got Jewelry? Athena Jewelers, downtown Athens!