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Is the glass half full? Many of you may know that in the jewelry world, prices are skyrocketing. Numerous factors contribute to these increases. Gold Prices Soar Ever Higher One overarching element is the price of gold. For perspective, just a year ago, prices for gold hovered around $2900 an ounce. Today, prices are averaging around $5100 an ounce. That is 175% increase in just one year!  Staggering, as during this last year, the gold market experienced the largest single day gain ever and combined with insane percentage increases only rivalled once in history dating back in 1979, or 47 years ago....

Why are so many listings for antique and vintage jewelry labelled with excellent condition?  How can this be if our collections are old, or even older? But there is a good reason. OK, not to brag, OK, a little. The Three Graces works hard at it. We don't purchase in lots or large groups. And being truly fussy, while we look through tens, hundreds, or even thousands of pieces of jewelry during, say, a major buying excursion. Only a few make the grade.  Walk around with us, and you will note one important accessory always visible: a jeweler's loupe. In...

After the announcement of Taylor Swift's engagement, every media outlet was flooded with images or her, her fiancé, and of course that stellar ring.  Most report it to be an old mine cut diamond. But is it? We would disagree, in part.  What is an old mine cut diamond? How does it differ from a cushion cut diamond?  Let us begin with an old mine cut diamond. It is a diamond cut that was all the rage in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a brilliant cut (usually with 58 facets or angles) but unlike modern diamonds, the perimeter...

Want to find out about the use of white gold in jewelry history? Both antique and vintage jewelry may employ white gold. Filigree rings from the Art Deco period in particular often utilized white gold. Learn more.